Aquarium algae treatments fall into two groups: whole-tank dosing, where the compound disperses through the water, and spot-dosing, where it is applied directly onto the algae itself. APT Fix and APT Fixlite are spot-dosed. That makes them simultaneously stronger at the point of contact and gentler on the tank as a whole.

2 products

2Hr Aquarist APT Fix

From $11.80

FAQs

APT Fix or APT Fixlite: which do I need?

Choose by how delicate your plants are, not by how bad the algae is. APT Fix is for tougher jobs - black beard algae, hair, string and fuzz algae, and most filamentous forms - on hardscape and established plants. APT Fixlite is designed for mosses, liverworts such as Riccardia and Riccia, Vallisneria and other delicate species. The two use entirely different base formulations, which also means one can overcome resistance where the other has been used repeatedly. Fixlite, despite being the gentler of the two, works faster than APT Fix on several forms of algae.

Why spot-dose instead of treating the whole tank?

Because it is both stronger and gentler at once. Applied directly onto the algae, the compound meets it at full concentration - far higher than any dose dispersed through the tank could safely reach. At the same time, the total quantity entering the system is a fraction of a whole-tank dose, so fish, shrimp, plants and beneficial microbes are barely exposed.

How do I apply it?

Pause the filter briefly, up to two minutes, and pipette directly onto the affected areas. The limit is 1ml per 10L. If you need to cover more ground than that allows, exceed it and perform an 80% water change immediately afterwards.

Is it safe for fish and shrimp?

Used according to instructions, yes. Do not spot-dose directly onto animals, and ensure good flow and oxygen levels afterwards. Both formulas biodegrade completely within roughly 12 to 24 hours and leave no accumulating residue - unlike algaecides that build up and erode a tank's ecosystem over time.

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