Lights out for 3 days???

[blue_eyes53813]

Has anybody tried this method to reduce algae formation? I know it seems wrong or im unsure of it so far... Long story short.. I have been battling the darn diatoms and blue green algae on and off for a few months.. Again it started up and seems stronger than ever.. So doing some investigating today I found a Thread on another forum about turning the lights off for 3 days and the pros of reduced algae.??

Just today in disgust I shut my lights off on my tank... because when the lights are off there isnt any algae, All corals are still open. all fish are fine and there is some, very little light from a few windows across the room. Its not total darkness.. In doing some other reading I found that there are of course cloudy days and it is ok to have a dark tank now and then.

Ive tried everything to get rid of this algae and I actually did get rid of it for about 1-2 months... Now it is back.. i have no idea why... Im just racking my brain here..

Reef Central Online Community - No lights for 3 days every couple of months works wonders!


Sorry to post a link from there... But it is kinda interesting. And may be a good thing.

[boozeman]

IMHO plunging the tank into total obscurity for a few days seems like a temporary fix to the problem. Eventhough light is needed by the diatoms to survive, it is only part of the equation. I feel that identifying the nutrient source that is causing this prolonged bloom would be a more efective means of irradication. Go through your entire system for sources of Nitrates and/or Silicates that are continually fueling your algae blooms and eliminate them.
That, combined with the reduced photo-period, should deliver the knockout punch needed.

[blue_eyes53813]

I agree it is probably only a temporary fix. Im just hoping to slow it down.. I wish I could figure out where the nutrient source is coming from.. I clean everything and it comes back...

[arkanov85]

What food do you feed your corals/fish?

[blue_eyes53813]

I feed frozen cubes, brine shrimp, mysis, and home made mush, frozen reef blend. The tangs I feed nori 3 days a week.

[Cougra]

It's worked with green water in my both my freshwater and saltwater tanks (although I think the blackout may have been a couple days longer for the freshwater tank) but I haven't tried it for diatoms or cyano. I also know that reducing the photoperiod can help slow down their growth. When I was having problems with hair algae, I just my photo period in half for about 2 weeks and slowly worked the time up until I started having problems then knocked it back 1/2 hour, but I didn't have any light loving corals at the time.

[burning2nd]

"blue green algae"


WHAT is this? ive hurd people refer to Caulerpa taxifola (mix) as that..

do you have a pic up close of you algea..... please show me...

if it is what i think it is (what i have) Ill tell you right now that it will be eazyer to start over, then 2 try to battle it...

IVe bin fighting a Caulerpa Bryopsis mix.....

the Bryopsis is damn near imposbul to beat. Ive went thur about 500 gal of water change in the last 8 months, ive got it knocked down a lot... but




aynthing like that?

[blue_eyes53813]

Nope blue/ green algae is a mat algae . Something like cyano algae. It is a fuzzy green algae. Here is a picture

[blue_eyes53813]

Originally Posted by Cougra

It's worked with green water in my both my freshwater and saltwater tanks (although I think the blackout may have been a couple days longer for the freshwater tank) but I haven't tried it for diatoms or cyano. I also know that reducing the photoperiod can help slow down their growth. When I was having problems with hair algae, I just my photo period in half for about 2 weeks and slowly worked the time up until I started having problems then knocked it back 1/2 hour, but I didn't have any light loving corals at the time.

Thank you Michelle, Im gonna monitor my corals very close. So far so good. all corals are open and no algae.. We will see how it goes.

[burning2nd]

nice you are blessed.....

at least you have what i have....

Best of luck

[sasquatch]

Vicki, just a thought, those humgeous sump thingies you added, have you checked them for phosphate emissions? Steve

[blue_eyes53813]

Steve, The sump and fuge are not running yet.. This weekend for sure. I am mixing 100+ gallons this week. The sump and fuge should help immensely to eliminate the algae ( I hope)

[sasquatch]

AH HA, they must have run out of plumbing stuff right! so how many bushels of chaeto will you need?

[blue_eyes53813]

I need alot of chaeto

[blue_eyes53813]

Just went and checked on the tank. Lots of particles in the water and skimmer working over time. Algae is detaching from the rocks.. Only 2 more days to go... All corals look fine.. Im gonna experiment today a little bit and see if my actinics being on would make the algae come back.. I dont have very much for actinics so Im thinking it will be ok... If this is the case and lights off make the algae go away , Im gonna definitely rethink my lighting schedule.


Another question for all of you.. For the past 4-5 years I have always used Ushio MH bulbs.. The last year I have been experimenting with XM and now reeflux bulbs.. Could these bulbs lose or change Kelvin after so long? Anybody else notice changes in these bulbs?

Ive never had a problem with Ushio. And it may not be the other bulbs at all. Just a thought.