PFK Articles: Tankguard algae inhibitor
Jeremy Gay takes a look at a new chemical that is applied to the aquarium glass and is claimed to inhibit the growth of algae.
Surface protection technology specialists Tankguard UK have looked at tackling algae in a different way to the norm by actually coating the inner walls of the tank while keeping all other things like lighting and water quality the same. They have come up with an incredibly thin, invisible layer of protection that coats the glass, and although algae will grow on it, it is the removal that is much easier - even easy enough to remove with your finger.
Nanotechnology has been used to apply a permanent chemical bond to aquarium walls and the coating is inert and suitable for all coldwater, tropical and marine aquariums.
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Last edited by benny; 11th Jan 2007 at 09:55.
Resistance is futile, you will be administrated!
This is an interesting product. The title is misleading though. It does not inhibit algae growth, but inhibits the algae from clinging to the tank glass. Algae can simply be rubbed off with your fingers. In the reviewer's experiement that even a simple water change caused some algae to detach.
Essentially, the product utilises nano-technology. A film is sprayed on to the tank walls before the tank is filled. Given that, it can only be used before setting up a tank.
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Never create what you can't control
Hmm... no fish was involved and no mention of plants in the testing. I am curious on the effects of the chemicals on fauna and flora.
So had a look at what they say on their website...
but there are no details of the ingredients. Until further is known on the effects, I would approach this with a large dose of caution, whatever inert chemical bonds mean.Originally Posted by www.tankguard.org
Perhaps it's like those nanofilm thing that they put on car windscreens. I don't think it's cheap either.
Cheers,
I have dwarf cichlids in my tanks! Do you?
Never create what you can't control
If this is available in Singapore, would somebody go get it, just to try it out?
If it can be removed easily, means the fauna like otos, Sturisoma spp and snails will be able to clean the algae off the glass much easier too...
Interesting product...
It means that once tankguard has dried/bonded to the glass, it won't react to anything in the water. It's very possible that the solvent is some.. volatile chemical that can't exist in aquarium water. In which case it would be as safe to put in the tank as a plastic spoon.
This being the case, it probably can't be applied to existing tank without tearing up everything apart. Not much of an option for existing tank owners, but more of an option for new tank owners.
Anyway, I suppose it will be a long time more before we see it on our shores.
Cheers,
I have dwarf cichlids in my tanks! Do you?
Never create what you can't control
Actually, I do know what inert chemical bonds mean. Haha.. I mentioned it with tongue-in-cheek... I need a lot of convincing before I buy something.
Also just wondering, can this be applied on something else other than glass? What about plastic, metal, wood or rock?
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