Ingredients of Cell Tech Blue Green Algae

Blue green algae is found in the wild.

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Cell Tech Super Blue Green Algae is an algae from Klamath Lake in Oregon that was marketed aggressively by pyramid type network marketers for years. Cell Tech changed its name to Simplexity in 2006 and stopped marketing the blue green algae under that name following several lawsuits. The only ingredient of Cell Techs product is aphanizomenon flos-aquae, the scientific name for wild blue green algae, which is closely related to spirulina, a farmed algae.

Related Searches: Claimed Nutrients and Benefits

Marketers of blue green algae products, of which Cell Tech, or Simplexity, is only one, claim that it is a superfood that contains important amino acids, B vitamins, and other compounds, especially chlorophyll, that are very beneficial to human health. Furthermore, marketers of products from Klamath Lake claim that the lake's pristine environment and location (next to the volcanic Cascade range) imbue their blue green algae products with high amounts of trace minerals not found in other algae products.

An Independant View

According to the University of California at Berkeley guide to dietary supplements, blue green algae does contain protein, vitamins, and several minerals. But, they caution, these components are in such small amounts that you would have to each large quantities of the product to really get high nutrient amounts from it. For this reason, it is better qualified as a food, not a supplement. Like spirulina, blue green algae does contain copious amounts of chlorophyll, but according to the dietary guide, this is of little benefit to humans.

Chlorophyll

Chlorophyll is the green matter in plants and is chemically related to human blood cells except that chlorophyll has a magnesium atom at its center while blood has an iron atom. According to Diana Post, M.D., of Harvard Medical School, there is very little evidence that chlorophyll has positive benefits on the human body besides possibly helping to mitigate the bad effects of eating too much red meat. Beyond this, chlorophyll is present in all green vegetables; and to actually get the amount of chlorophyll -- in the amounts present in a spinach salad, for example -- from eating blue green algae, you would have to eat much more than a spoonful or two, the recommended serving.

Microsystins

According to the dietary guide by UC Berkeley, blue green algae is often contaminated by toxins due to the fact that it is gathered, not farmed, from wild sources that are often polluted. One of the most dangerous substances that can contaminate blue green algae are microsystins, which are potentially deadly. In fact, a wrongful death suit was filed against Cell Tech in 2005 by the family of a woman who died from liver failure after consuming large amounts of their products. Although the suit was dismissed, the product was found to contain large amounts of potentially toxic microsystins.

ReferencesMillenium2.org: Blue Green Algae FAQUC Berkeley Wellness Letter: Blue Green AlgaeMSN Health: Does Chlorophyll Have Any Proven Health Benefits?By Diana Post, M.D., Harvard Health PublicationsCaseWatch: Cell Tech sued for wrongful deathPhoto Credit Hemera Technologies/AbleStock.com/Getty ImagesRead Next:

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How to Remove Green Algae From a Salt-Treated Pool

Keep your salt pool clear and free from green algae.

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Green algae is a problem common to swimming pool owners, even owners of salt water swimming pools. Green algae grows when spores enter your pool and receive the sunlight and temperatures they need to thrive. Green algae outbreaks quickly become severe if left untreated or if not treated right away. Though effective treatment of your pool is possible, be aware that persistence and hard work are required for this problem.

Related Searches:Difficulty:Moderately EasyInstructions Things You'll NeedBrushAlgaecideSalt water test kitSuggest Edits1

Clean your pool filter. A clear filter is necessary to maintain proper water circulation in your swimming pool. Proper water circulation is a key weapon in the battle against algae. Take a look at your pressure gauge on the pool filter and see if the filter needs cleaning. Backwash the filter to dislodge any debris, then run the filter normally.

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Switch your salt chlorinator to the super chlorination setting, which generally brings the chlorination level up to 10 times its usual level. The goal is to bring the chlorination up as high as possible as quickly as possible to kill out any algae. Leave your chlorinator on this setting for the amount of time recommended by your salt water chlorinator owner's manual.

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Clean your pool. Use a brush to brush away any algae on the sides, bottom, steps and any other surfaces of your salt pool. This loosens the algae and displaces it so that it becomes easier to kill. Keep the pool in super chlorination mode with the pump powered on during this process to remove the maximum amount of algae.

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Treat your water with an algaecide formulated especially for salt water swimming pools. This chemical kills algae plants and spores while preventing further outbreaks.

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Run your pool pump continuously until all algae is gone from the pool and the water looks clear. This is imperative to properly removing as much algae as possible from your pool.

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Use a salt water pool testing kit to test your water regularly after the outbreak is cleared up. Regular testing keeps you aware of what your chlorine levels are and whether they need to be higher or lower. Salt pool pH levels should ideally range between 7.2 and 7.6. Maintaining proper chlorine and pH levels in your pool prevents future algae outbreaks.

Tips & Warnings

Never use products for algae that are not specifically formulated for salt water swimming pools. Using products for chemically-treated pools could damage your salt system and severely damage the operation of your swimming pool.

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ReferencesClean-Pool-and-Spa.com: Intex Salt Water Swimming Pool 16x48.. Shock & Green AlgaeSwimming Pool Maintenance Tips: Treating Algae in a Salt Swimming PoolPoolCenter.com: Pool Info Chlorine GeneratorPhoto Credit Comstock/Comstock/Getty ImagesRead Next:

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Green Algae Growing on the Trunks of Crepe Myrtles

Print this articleThe distinctive, attractive characteristics of crepe myrtle trees aren't so pretty when they're covered with substance that looks like green algae. Crepe myrtle, also known as crape myrtle and crapemyrtle, make beautiful ornamental trees when they're healthy. When the trees aren't healthy, they're a problem in landscapes. Identify and manage the problem that's causing algae-like growth and keep crepe myrtles healthy.

Related Searches: Identification

Crepe myrtles are not immune to fungus. Powdery mildew may create growth on leaves and branches, but this fungus resembles white, powdery spots as the name suggests. Growths that resembles green algae on crepe myrtles are actually lichens. The easiest part of the lichen to recognize is the main body, which is largely comprised of fungus. Some lichens look like a crust, while others grow in leafy layers, but in all cases they are green and attach themselves directly to crepe myrtle trees.

Smarter Than Algae

Technically, lichens are not algae. Lichens are a fungus-like symbiotic organism. Like plants, lichens produce food for themselves through photosynthesis, absorbing sunlight to take in nutrients. The lichens give moisture to the plant upon which they grow. Because the unique relationship they have with the trees where they grow, lichens are something more than your average green algae, but they may not look it.

Lichen Damage

Lichens may change the appearance of crepe myrtles, but they are not damaging. Lichens do not fracture or harm bark, allowing pathogens and bacteria do harm the crepe myrtle. The lichens will cover and obscure the distinct bark on crepe myrtles, however, and for this reason many gardeners do not want the algae-like growth on their trees.

Control

Because lichens do not damage crepe myrtle, removal is not necessary. Gardeners who do want to remove lichens to improve the look of the tree can scrub the algae-like growth off the trees with a wet scrub brush. Alternately, they can cover the lichen growth with a shade cloth and eventually it will die.

ReferencesOhio State University Extension; 10 Things You Should Know About Lichens; David J. Goerig, et al.Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service; Crape Myrtle Diseases & Insect Pests; Nancy Doubrava, et al.Royal New Zealand Institute of Horticulture : Moss and LichenResources"Southern Living" Magazine: Beginner's Guide to Crepe MyrtlesUniversity of Florida, IFAS Cooperative Extension Service; Crapemyrtle in Florida; Gary W. KnoxNC State University Extension; Crapemyrtle Problems; Erv EvansRead Next:

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How to Grow Green Algae on Rocks

Algae grow readily on damp rocks.

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Algae on rocks need not always be a slippery pest. Green algae on rocks around a water feature make it look older and more rustic. In a pond or aquarium, algae provide grazing opportunities for fish, mollusks and tadpoles. Algae are resilient organisms with simple needs. The provision of moisture and nutrients usually promotes the growth of all the algae you could want.

Related Searches:Difficulty:Moderately EasyInstructions Things You'll NeedRiver rocksPlant misterSeaweed fertilizer5- or 10-gallon tankOrganic houseplant fertilizerBucketsSuggest EditsAround a Pond1

Position river rocks around the pond in positions that receive plenty of light but not necessarily direct sunlight.

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Spray or paint the rocks with a solution of seaweed fertilizer and water. Use the strength recommended on the packaging for most plants or a slightly stronger solution.

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Mist the rocks with rainwater daily. The key to encouraging algae growth is moisture. If the rocks dry out quickly, move them to a shadier location.

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Apply more of the fertilizer solution once or twice a week until the rocks have the desired appearance. After this, leave the algae to take care of themselves.

For Aquarium Fish1

Set up a small tank with dechlorinated water and all the rocks you wish algae to grow upon.

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Position the tank in a well-lit location or switch on a powerful aquarium light for 12 hours a day.

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Add a little organic houseplant fertilizer to the water once a week.

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Conduct occasional water changes to control the growth of free-floating phytoplankton, which compete with the attached algae for nutrients and light. Replace about 25 percent of the water with fresh dechlorinated water once a week before adding fertilizer.

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Transfer rocks to the main tank or pond once they have sufficient algal growth. Replace each rock with a new one if you want a continuous supply of algae.

Tips & Warnings

Dechlorinate tap water by leaving it in buckets for 24 hours. Alternatively, use a commercial dechlorinator from an aquarium supply store. Note that neither method will remove chloramine. If your water supply contains this chemical, ask an aquarium supplier for the appropriate treatment.

Although adding nutrients, especially phosphorus and nitrogen, to a pond encourages the growth of algae on rocks, this practice is best avoided. These nutrients also promote the growth of free-floating phytoplankton, another type of algae. Phytoplankton blooms can reduce oxygen levels, block light to submerged plants and, in the worst cases, kill aquatic life. Let underwater algae establish themselves.

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ReferencesAquatic Community: Algae in AquariumsMinnesota Department of Natural Resources: What’s That Green Stuff?Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty ImagesRead Next:

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