Twinstar Algae Inhibitor Worth It?

[AcornTheBetta]

Hi all!
I was wondering, do you think that the Twinstar Algae Inhibitor is worth it/effective in a high tech setup? It does cost a bit of money, but if it will seriously inhibit algae, I would defiantly consider it. Thanks!

 

[fallfever]

I would be thrilled if you bought one and reviewed it for us Reviews online have been all over the place. I considered one a while back but it looks like a seriously high tech air stone. Couldn't pull the trigger. I once had a green killing machine for a self inflicted algae bloom and it was very effective and never used it again. This is supposed to not only control algae but enhance plant growth. I'm skeptical. I hope someone answers that has used this thing. My mind could be changed.

 

[AcornTheBetta]

I would be thrilled if you bought one and reviewed it for us Reviews online have been all over the place. I considered one a while back but it looks like a seriously high tech air stone. Couldn't pull the trigger. I once had a green killing machine for a self inflicted algae bloom and it was very effective and never used it again. This is supposed to not only control algae but enhance plant growth. I'm skeptical. I hope someone answers that has used this thing. My mind could be changed.

I'm a bit skeptical as well (which is why I posted here), but their video makes it look super good... Video could have been set up/rigged and the tanks could have been treated differently so idk.
Video I'm talking about:

 

[fallfever]

Let's see if anyone here has used one. We may both be buying one if it works. See, now I'm considering it again. That's what I get for being up late on Friday night right after cleaning tanks that happened to involve scraping algae. Sigh.

 

[coralbandit]

I and 86 ssinit both use them . The disk will not work effectively 6 months in anything but soft water . Hard water leaves lots of deposits on the screen and will wear them out quickly . The disk is meant to be replaced . In soft water tanks I use mine for more of a pathogen control than algae control . Tom may be able to add more ?

 

[86 ssinit]

Yes I use these. Mine are the doctors 3 in 1 and looks like yours. Not sure if twin-star is a copy or not. These are a strange peice that doesn’t have much info on. Mine everything is written in Chinese. But I do like these and have been using for at least 3 yrs. have replaced all 3 of there disks 3 times. They are advised to be used with new tanks. They kill algae in the water. So if you’ve got established algae they’re not going to remove it. So for established tanks you need to clean up the algae first.once you do that they work fine.

 

[The2dCour]

It LOOKs like an expensive custom air stone. Oxygenated water is good for algae control right? Am I missing an ancient chinese secret?

 

[jmaldo]

Yes I use these. Mine are the doctors 3 in 1

I use this brand also in my Planted Tanks originally as a preventive for pathogens. Had "Great" success. But... did it prevent Algae or help with the growth? Not sure, most times an algae outbreak is related to light, fert schedule out of balance. I can attest to the hard water deposits as mentioned by coralbandit
I normally clean my screens with a toothbrush after soaking in a vinegar solution. Works "Great".

Good Luck!

 

[coralbandit]

Twinstar is the Dr.Chihiros ,just the original name .
I have had 2-3 generations of his tool .

It LOOKs like an expensive custom air stone. Oxygenated water is good for algae control right? Am I missing an ancient chinese secret?

It may in fact just introduce air but there is no air line to the disk . Just the power line to the disk so there is a little engineering and chemistry I suspect to the secret .

 

[86 ssinit]

It LOOKs like an expensive custom air stone. Oxygenated water is good for algae control right? Am I missing an ancient chinese secret?

Could be! And I think Confucius said for those who ask questions! Write answers in Chinese.

 

[AcornTheBetta]

I and 86 ssinit both use them .
The disk will not work effectively 6 months in anything but soft water .
Hard water leaves lots of deposits on the screen and will wear them out quickly .
The disk is meant to be replaced .
In soft water tanks I use mine for more of a pathogen control than algae control .
Tom may be able to add more ?

Ok. Thanks! My after has 4 dGH and 4 dKH, is that too hard?

 

[86 ssinit]

I’d say that’s perfect. What are you testing with?

 

[AcornTheBetta]

I’d say that’s perfect. What are you testing with?

API GH and KH liquid test

 

[86 ssinit]

Ok in the instruction book it give a guideline of what types of fish are good at what readings. Mine I’d close to yours but my gh is 1. Think yours is right where most want it to be. .

 

[BENT17]

Hi all,

Would like to see what your opinions are on the twinstar algae inhibitor. Do you guys have it? Is it worth the money? Does it work? This is for a 200L hightech planted tank

 

[coralbandit]

Just did this .
Seems like only 3 of the FL vets use it .

 

[Sanderguy777]

I looked this up once and I believe the cord powers some ultra sonic mechanism (or maybe electrolysis?) That breaks apart water molecules. Somehow the pure oxygen or hydrogen keeps the algae from forming. It was a long time ago, so I don't recall the exact details, but that was the just from what I remember.
I think it is a good tool, but if it needs soft water, I'll probably never buy one lol

 

[BENT17]

Looking into this also. I am new to the aquarium hobby but if this truly reduces or kills algae im in for it!

 

[PeaP]

Hi.
Does Twinstar algae inhibitor work or is it a waste of money...can I use it with cow or not.
Advices are welcome

 

[FishDin]

I looked into these. I loved the idea, but there were too many bad reviews, so I didn't buy.

Not sure how you would use it with a cow, but give it a try

 

[PeaP]

I looked into these. I loved the idea, but there were too many bad reviews, so I didn't buy.

Not sure how you would use it with a cow, but give it a try

What did convince you not to buy it?

 

[86 ssinit]

Ok these things been around awhile. I’ve used them and was happy with the results. I used the doctors 3-1. I don’t have any set up now but I don’t have algae . I’m also using uv steralizer’s on all tanks. Little more money but better results and in general good for the tank. Thing about the algae inhibitors is they need to be installed on new tanks. On existing tanks there only going to kill the algae in the water.

 

[jmaldo]

. I use the Chihiros Doctor 3 in 1

Good Luck!

 

[coralbandit]

The unit originally also claimed to reduce TDS. I don't see tha claim anymore but the build up on your disc will show it.
Not a major player in hard water, but in soft it can offer a tool not duplicated yet.
I used it as a pathogen control and ran over 15 of them [ 1 in every 5g breeding tank].
I used them in planted tanks without much great effect noticed.
Most think they are cool, and some use them/ the bubbles to eliminate dead spots in the tank.
The bubbles will travel wherever water moves them.
I would still be using them, but not in high TDS water?
They say the new disc last about 7 months in up to 500ppm water.
I never got that with 350+ ppm.
My fish though were always healthy and seemed to enjoy them.

 

[PeaP]

Ok these things been around awhile. I’ve used them and was happy with the results. I used the doctors 3-1. I don’t have any set up now but I don’t have algae . I’m also using uv steralizer’s on all tanks. Little more money but better results and in general good for the tank. Thing about the algae inhibitors is they need to be installed on new tanks. On existing tanks there only going to kill the algae in the water.

The unit originally also claimed to reduce TDS. I don't see tha claim anymore but the build up on your disc will show it.
Not a major player in hard water, but in soft it can offer a tool not duplicated yet.
I used it as a pathogen control and ran over 15 of them [ 1 in every 5g breeding tank].
I used them in planted tanks without much great effect noticed.
Most think they are cool, and some use them/ the bubbles to eliminate dead spots in the tank.
The bubbles will travel wherever water moves them.
I would still be using them, but not in high TDS water?
They say the new disc last about 7 months in up to 500ppm water.
I never got that with 350+ ppm.
My fish though were always healthy and seemed to enjoy them.

Thanks all

 

[FishDin]

What did convince you not to buy it?

I'll defer to those that have actually used them.