I've been a HUGE fan of Algae Bars for about 7 years now, but I need a couple of new bars and I can't seem to find them anymore. If anybody out there finds them on line I'd appreciate a pointer --

I have a 10,000 gal Koi pond and I've had two bars in my filter system continuously for 7 years. It works through copper/silver ionization. People have asked me if I'm worried about the levels of copper that might get into the water using these bars, especially since I have some very expensive koi in my pond. The answer is no, because I continuously test my water for copper, Ammonia, nitrites, nitrates, KH, O2, etc, and I've never had a problem with too much copper due to the bars.

You put them in and through normal electrolysis, copper ions are released into the water. Within 5 days, my pond is always clear. I check the levels of copper and it's always well below anything that would hurt the fish and other plants. Only the floating, single cell algae seems to be effected. After the algae bloom clears, I continue to check the level of copper in the water and it never seems to go any higher. I think what's happening is I'm getting just enough copper ions to do the job and then over time the electrolysis slows to a stop because I get a layer oxidation on the bars that slow their effectiveness. Hey - so long as the algae is gone and the levels of copper are not increasing... I'm happy.

In the middle of summer, and especially after a really hard rain, I might get one or two more algae blooms. When that happens, I simply open the filter pot, remove the algae bars, and give them a light brushing with some steel wool to clean off the oxidation, I put them back in again and within 3 days the algae is gone. I LOVE these things!

I'm looking for some some new ones now because I've worn off some of the sliver with my brushing and they're not as effective as I know they can be. If anybody sees them out there... please point me!