AlgaeBarn...Is it all just hype?

[SLVRADO]

There is a lot to be said about a customer business relationship. Businesses need to tacare of their customers, but customers need to give the business a chance to make things right!

I have to say that @AlgaeBarn is an outstanding business! I buy their phyto, algae, and pods and all of them are not only crazy good quality but also very healthy. Their pods have always been so thick, and their chaeto cleaner and healthier than even I can keep it!

On top of that, @AlgaeBarn has continued to support local reef clubs around the country with a smile on their face. I will always support businesses that stand behind their products and customers.

 

[AlgaeBarn]

Thank you so much for the support and kind words!

 

[Imrahilwjz]

I had a 130 gallon system that I regularly added algaebarn pods to for a green mandarinfish. During a severe icestorm my tank crashed and everything died. Now, over a year later I am starting up a 320 gallon system and ordered macrophage and pods from Algaebarn. I discovered that I still had $80 worth of rewards points to use for the purchase! Pretty thrilled about that.

 

[AlgaeBarn]

I had a 130 gallon system that I regularly added algaebarn pods to for a green mandarinfish. During a severe icestorm my tank crashed and everything died. Now, over a year later I am starting up a 320 gallon system and ordered macrophage and pods from Algaebarn. I discovered that I still had $80 worth of rewards points to use for the purchase! Pretty thrilled about that.

Thank you for the support! Glad to hear you are getting back into the hobby after that devastating freeze!

 

[DiazE]

Have not read the entire forum and I am looking into ordering the eco package. Are any of you running a skimmer? Worried about my skimmer pulling out all the added stuff. What are the adding instructions?

 

[Imrahilwjz]

They tell you to add after dark with your pumps off, into the rocks if possible. I use an old Christmas tree funnel. I put the end of the spout among the rocks and pour the pods into the top.

 

[DiazE]

How about the phyto, bacteria or zooplankcton being pulled out by skimmer when pumps go back go.

 

[Mikeltee]

You can’t physically see baby pods. AB has a good reputation so if you have issues contact them.

You can see baby pods. They are all at least 50 micron. I culture pods and started two tanks in Dec. I add Pods to both tanks every couple of weeks. They don't live more than a couple of days. IMO, it's a waste of time to add Pods to a new tank. My cultures are in 5g tubs. I add what would probably costs hundreds of dollars at a time. 3 days later there are none to be found. I culture Tisbe, Tigger, and Apocyclops. Tiggers are a waste of money. Mandarin don't eat them, they don't eat ditritus, and they live in the water column so pretty much get immediately stuck in the skimmer and filter socks. I believe that they are only added to packs because they are easy to see.

 

[DiazE]

Just as I suspected a possible waste.

 

[AlgaeBarn]

How about the phyto, bacteria or zooplankcton being pulled out by skimmer when pumps go back go.

Hi there,

We recommend waiting till the lights are off in your aquarium, and as another user stated, add them near your rockwork. You can also add some to your sump as well. Before you go to add the pods, the Phytoplankton, or any bacteria, you will want to leave your return pump on and turn off your skimmer, power heads, and any other filtration that you have. You can leave that equipment off for as little or as long as you want. But it would be best to leave it off at a minimum of 30 min to give everyone a chance to hide before turning the power heads, skimmer, uv filter or any other equipment back on. I hope that information helps!

~Sam

 

[Imrahilwjz]

You can see baby pods. They are all at least 50 micron. I culture pods and started two tanks in Dec. I add Pods to both tanks every couple of weeks. They don't live more than a couple of days. IMO, it's a waste of time to add Pods to a new tank. My cultures are in 5g tubs. I add what would probably costs hundreds of dollars at a time. 3 days later there are none to be found. I culture Tisbe, Tigger, and Apocyclops. Tiggers are a waste of money. Mandarin don't eat them, they don't eat ditritus, and they live in the water column so pretty much get immediately stuck in the skimmer and filter socks. I believe that they are only added to packs because they are easy to see.

I used to add Tiggers to my small tanks with the lights on, before I had the 90 gallon tank. When I added them to the tank my spotted mandarin, clown, and damsel would go nuts chasing them down. It's true that they didn't react to the pods as much in the bigger 90 gallon tank.

 

[sigeagl]

First shipment had aiptasia, second replacement shipment had hydroids. Thank god I quarantine everything for 90 days.

 

[AlgaeBarn]

Hi there,

We appreciate your feedback and the opportunity to address your concerns. As we mentioned in our email response to your initial inquiry, after quarantining the macroalgae for 71 days in a quarantine tank with other elements present, it is challenging to determine the exact source of the aiptasia. We did offer peppermint shrimp and a replacement shipment of clean chaeto, which you accepted, and we promptly shipped to you.

Following this, you quarantined the new shipment for 28 days in the same quarantine system and observed hydroids. As reiterated in our communications, while we stand by the quality of our chaeto and rigorous cleaning procedures, unforeseen issues can occasionally arise despite our best efforts. The same can be said for any quarantine system, as aiptasia and hydroids can come from various sources, including frags, water from other tanks, rocks, or even sand.

Recognizing that another replacement would not resolve the issue in your current setup, we offered you store credit, a free jar of pods, and 15% off your next order as a gesture of goodwill, which you accepted.

We are committed to providing excellent service and products. As per our email, we have applied the store credit for your original purchase of Macroalgae to your account and hope to restore your confidence in our company.

Best regards

 

[DangerDave]

They tell you to add after dark with your pumps off, into the rocks if possible. I use an old Christmas tree funnel. I put the end of the spout among the rocks and pour the pods into the top.

That's a great idea, and I'm stealing it lol. My three youngest boys are about to turn 21, and i think I convinced the boss lady to agree to roll with plastic trees moving forward. This is a perfect time to steal our tree funnel, thanks!!!

 

[KrisReef]

That's a great idea, and I'm stealing it lol. My three youngest boys are about to turn 21, and i think I convinced the boss lady to agree to roll with plastic trees moving forward. This is a perfect time to steal our tree funnel, thanks!!!

I bought a tree funnel last Christmas. I saw them in the hardware store and I thought it would work better for target feeding than a turkey baster and the tree would not care if there was a little plankton in the water. I also expect that the flavor of Thanksgiving will be slightly improved by switching to the funnel?