[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]

Re: "Algone" - I think I get it (FINAL NOTE)

Ok, here's my last post on Algone.

I gave in and finally called them to satisfy my curiousity.  The operator 
who answered readily confirmed my theory: Algone pouches contain nothing 
more than plant fibers.  These fibers, he explained, are simply extremely 
nitrate-hungry plants that sap the nutrients in the water that algae feeds 
on.

So, it's safe for fish.  Technically, it's safe for plants too...though the 
nitrate eating action will remove your plant's neutrient source as well.  I 
might even recommend Algone to people who don't have live plants in their 
tank based on the conversation I had...

Anyway, that's it.  I'm all done investigating Algone.  Hope I haven't bored 
everyone too much!

-- jason


>From: "Jason Owens" <jasonvowens at hotmail_com>
>Reply-To: killietalk at aka_org
>To: killietalk at aka_org
>Subject: "Algone" - I think I get it
>Date: Fri, 04 Jan 2002 09:41:11 -0500
>
>Algone does not explain what it puts in its little pouches, so this is an
>educated guess...but, reading between the lines of their claims (that 
>Algone
>"naturally" decreases Nitrate and increases oxygen without introducing ANY
>chemicals to your tank), I think I've figured out how Algone works.  If
>anyone chooses to use it is another story...
>
>HERE WE GO:
>
>As you know, live plants can eliminate algae.  This happens because plants
>feed off the same nitrates that algae does...so when the plants use up all
>the nitrate in the tank, there's no nutrients left for the algae to feed
>on...stopping its grown.  Simple stuff, really.
>
>Algone - although it doesn't explicitly explain this on its supposedly
>informative website - almost surely works this way: it's a plant in a 
>pouch.
>  In essense, the pouch is filled with some kind of plant matter that 
>itself
>"eats" the nitrates in the water.  In the process, it probably helps clean
>some of the ammonia and nitrites from the water, add oxygen, etc...much the
>way plants do in a well planted tank.  In short, adding an Algone pouch to
>your filter is like adding an extremely nitrate-hungry plant to your tank.
>Not such a bad thing, right?
>
>My problem with Algone is that, instead of simply explaining this natural
>and seemingly attractive process, it cloaks its product in 
>pseudo-scientific
>mumbo-jumbo to bill itself as a "miracle cure."  Most likely, if Algone
>works in the way I describe the product IS in fact a safe, maybe even
>effective additive.  Plants are good for a tank, so adding Algone may be
>too.  You just wish they were more upfront.
>
>In the end, I refuse to buy such a product because they're not honest about
>things.  If they came out and SAID what's in the pouch, I might have
>interest.  Regardless, I can say this about Algone: the single biggest 
>claim
>they make over and over and over, is that it's natural and it won't hurt 
>you
>fish or plants even at extraorinarily high levels.  So...if you have a
>really bad algae problem and you're desperate, it could be worth a try.  
>I'm
>quite sure it's no miracle cure, but if it works in the way I suggest, it
>might just help a bit.
>
>Otherwise, I'd wait until they get honest.
>
>-- JO
>
>
>
>
>>From: "Tranquility Base" <TranquilityBase at NetZero_Net>
>>Reply-To: killietalk at aka_org
>>To: <killietalk at aka_org>
>>Subject: RE: Is "Algone" a scam?
>>Date: Fri, 4 Jan 2002 02:06:54 -0500
>>
>>Hi Jason:
>>
>>I have never tried the product. Everyone is looking to market something.
>>Some work perfectly others do not work at all. Most are somewhere in
>>between. And a few will even kill your fish.
>>
>>I would call the manufacturer and ask them how their product works. How
>>does
>>it deal with the nitrates which the algae would usually take up. How does
>>it
>>affect pH and hardness. Is it safe for other plants and if so which ones?
>>What about the fish or eggs? I have made many such calls over the years 
>>and
>>I have been amazed how honest many manufacturers are. I was once told by a
>>manufacturer that their product was not for "fish breeders" another told 
>>me
>>that their product would not work in tanks with a high population density.
>>Others have given me similar useful information regarding their product.
>>Its easier to exaggerate in print and harder for them to lie on the phone
>>when you ask direct questions.
>>
>>And finally, if they answer your questions satisfactorily, you have to try
>>it. Then let the rest of us know how it works.
>>
>>It is always tempting to say that something new most likely will not work.
>>History proves this to be true. But sometimes you have to try new products
>>because every once in a while something new which works a treat comes out.
>>
>>Peace,
>>
>>~RJ~
>>
>>-----Original Message-----
>>From: owner-killietalk at aka_org [mailto:owner-killietalk at aka_org]On
>>Behalf Of Jason Owens
>>Sent: Thursday, January 03, 2002 3:00 PM
>>To: killietalk at aka_org
>>Subject: Is "Algone" a scam?
>>
>>
>>Does anyone have experience with a product called Algone?  Their website
>>(www.algone.com) purports that it's a 100% safe and natural way to control
>>and eliminate algae in both fresh and marine fish tanks.
>>
>>If you visit the site, you'll see that Algone's site is peppered with
>>testimonials (Chris T. from Texas says it's great, Sally P. from New York
>>says it's a miracle) and "scientific" documentation, yet Internet searches
>>on Google, Yahoo, and Northernlight.com have yielded almost nothing on 
>>this
>>product or its effectiveness.
>>
>>Basically...considering the thriving nature of the online fishkeeping
>>community, the widespread problem of algae growth in tanks, and the
>>remarkable claims this company makes...I would think SOMEONE would be
>>talking about this stuff online.  But the only place talking about Algone
>>is
>>www.algone.com.
>>
>>Personally, I want to believe...but I don't want to be the sucker buying
>>fool's gold.
>>
>>-- jason
>>
>>_________________________________________________________________
>>Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at 
>>http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp.
>>
>>---------------
>>See http://www.aka.org/AKA/subkillietalk.html to unsubscribe
>>Join the AKA at http://www.aka.org/AKA/Applic.htm
>>
>>
>>----------------------------------------------------
>>Sign Up for NetZero Platinum Today
>>Only $9.95 per month!
>>http://my.netzero.net/s/signup?r=platinum&refcd=PT97
>>---------------
>>See http://www.aka.org/AKA/subkillietalk.html to unsubscribe
>>Join the AKA at http://www.aka.org/AKA/Applic.htm
>
>
>_________________________________________________________________
>Chat with friends online, try MSN Messenger: http://messenger.msn.com
>
>---------------
>See http://www.aka.org/AKA/subkillietalk.html to unsubscribe
>Join the AKA at http://www.aka.org/AKA/Applic.htm


_________________________________________________________________
Join the world’s largest e-mail service with MSN Hotmail. 
http://www.hotmail.com

---------------
See http://www.aka.org/AKA/subkillietalk.html to unsubscribe
Join the AKA at http://www.aka.org/AKA/Applic.htm
Follow-Ups: