3 Day Blackout Help

Mike Lemming · Jan 16, 2017

Hi guys!
I've been having a small green hair algae issue (nothing major) but, HATE the look of it. I have tried water changes, GFO, Phosguard, and less feeding with not much effect. I have been thinking about a 3 day complete black out and, I have a couple questions..
1) Do I still feed the fish and/or corals?
2) Do I run my fuge light?
I have heard good things about implementing a blackout ever couple of months and may try this. Thoughts?
I appreciate the help! Thanks in advance!
-Mike

FishGuyBri · Jan 16, 2017

Following!! Interested to hear ideas

bevo5 · Jan 16, 2017

I just completed one of these about 6 weeks ago and it was well worth it.

Here's what I did after doing a ton of research.

Complete blackout - either wrap the tank in a blanket or block out all the windows and what not. You want zero light. Just don't let the blanket completely cover up the stand - you want gas exchange going on in there and it'll be harder if there's no air movement below.

I would turn off the fuge as well....that way you'll kill anything in the water.

No need to feed anything - the tank is going to go to sleep. Fish wont come out and eat etc. Plus, three days isn't the end of the world so there's nothing to worry about there.

Then you want to ramp up the lights slowly after that - like 10% a day until you're back.

Mike Lemming · Jan 16, 2017

bevo5 said:
I just completed one of these about 6 weeks ago and it was well worth it.

Here's what I did after doing a ton of research.

Complete blackout - either wrap the tank in a blanket or block out all the windows and what not. You want zero light. Just don't let the blanket completely cover up the stand - you want gas exchange going on in there and it'll be harder if there's no air movement below.

I would turn off the fuge as well....that way you'll kill anything in the water.

No need to feed anything - the tank is going to go to sleep. Fish wont come out and eat etc. Plus, three days isn't the end of the world so there's nothing to worry about there.

Then you want to ramp up the lights slowly after that - like 10% a day until you're back.

That's awesome to hear! I have heard good things about this doing this! My only draw back is that I can't ramp my T5's so, maybe just slowly bring up the time that they are on? Also, have you heard of anyone doing the bubbling method while doing a black out? Is that a doubly whammy or a waste of time? Thanks for the help man!

Mike Lemming · Jan 16, 2017

MacQac said:
Following!! Interested to hear ideas

I had many friends go to FGCU.. I'm from the Tampa area but live in Mass now. Good times partying in Ft. Myers!

FishGuyBri · Jan 16, 2017

Mike Lemming said:
I had many friends go to FGCU.. I'm from the Tampa area but live in Mass now. Good times partying in Ft. Myers!

Just moved here a few months ago from D.C.. love it

GoVols · Jan 16, 2017

bevo5 said:
I just completed one of these about 6 weeks ago and it was well worth it.

Here's what I did after doing a ton of research.

Complete blackout - either wrap the tank in a blanket or block out all the windows and what not. You want zero light. Just don't let the blanket completely cover up the stand - you want gas exchange going on in there and it'll be harder if there's no air movement below.

I would turn off the fuge as well....that way you'll kill anything in the water.

No need to feed anything - the tank is going to go to sleep. Fish wont come out and eat etc. Plus, three days isn't the end of the world so there's nothing to worry about there.

Then you want to ramp up the lights slowly after that - like 10% a day until you're back.

+1
To this entire statement

I've seen reefers push a 5 day too.

bevo5 · Jan 16, 2017

Can you go just actinics on the bulbs? I'd for sure just do that regardless.

If you can't, then I'd say the room lights and/or windows only for a day...then shorter photo period for a couple days. Just something to slowly ease them into it.

GoVols · Jan 16, 2017

bevo5 said:
Can you go just actinics on the bulbs? I'd for sure just do that regardless.

If you can't, then I'd say the room lights and/or windows only for a day...then shorter photo period for a couple days. Just something to slowly ease them into it.

Do you mean:
ease them in the black out or lights on after the black out?

bevo5 · Jan 16, 2017

I was suggesting using just the actinics for when you go lights back on - for a day or so, then ease on the whites.

Sabellafella · Jan 16, 2017

Mike Lemming said:
Hi guys!
I've been having a small green hair algae issue (nothing major) but, HATE the look of it. I have tried water changes, GFO, Phosguard, and less feeding with not much effect. I have been thinking about a 3 day complete black out and, I have a couple questions..
1) Do I still feed the fish and/or corals?
2) Do I run my fuge light?
I have heard good things about implementing a blackout ever couple of months and may try this. Thoughts?
I appreciate the help! Thanks in advance!
-Mike

Imo i wouldnt do it, just get some herbivores/ hermits ect..and let nature take its course. It happens to everyone, especially if you started with dry rock. Take some tweezers and do some plucking lol. Reason being, you can do some harm with a long enuff blackout especially from your ph dropping, and you just dont know if its going to work/comeback or not.

Mike Lemming · Jan 16, 2017

bevo5 said:
Can you go just actinics on the bulbs? I'd for sure just do that regardless.

If you can't, then I'd say the room lights and/or windows only for a day...then shorter photo period for a couple days. Just something to slowly ease them into it.

Yep, I have a 4 bulb, 2 channel fixture. So I can ease the lights back up..

GoVols · Jan 16, 2017

Sabellafella said:
Imo i wouldnt do it, just get some herbivores/ hermits ect..and let nature take its course. It happens to everyone, especially if you started with dry rock. Take some tweezers and do some plucking lol. Reason being, you can do some harm with a long enuff blackout especially from your ph dropping, and you just dont know if its going to work/comeback or not.

I agree, A blackout does not fix the bottom line issue.
If OP did start with dry rock and didn't clean and or cure it properly it's going to keep leaching out the goodies.

Sabellafella · Jan 16, 2017

GoVols said:
I agree, A blackout does not fix the bottom line issue.
If OP did start with dry rock and didn't clean and or cure it properly it's going to keep leaching out the goodies.

You know what it is, the ph just drops so so bad, and potentially deadly especially after 2 3 days. Otherwise blackouts arent that bad, if you got something like dino, absolutely outways the risk. But for a little hair algae (mike), leave it be

GoVols · Jan 16, 2017

Sabellafella said:
You know what it is, the ph just drops so so bad, and potentially deadly especially after 2 3 days. Otherwise blackouts arent that bad, if you got something like dino, absolutely outways the risk. But for a little hair algae (mike), leave it be

OP said he ran GFO. It needs to "tumble" in it's own reactor to get the full benefit.

Mike Lemming · Jan 16, 2017

GoVols said:
OP said he ran GFO. It needs to "tumble" in it's own reactor to get the full benefit.

I run gfo and carbon in the same reactor and dose kalk in my ato.. I didn't cure my dry rock but the tank is only 5 months old..

a49panhead · Jan 16, 2017

U can try building a diy turf algae scrubber. Put it in your sump

Mike Lemming · Jan 16, 2017

a49panhead said:
U can try building a diy turf algae scrubber. Put it in your sump

I've thought about that! Might be a good option. Would it get rid of the algae in the MD?

Sabellafella · Jan 16, 2017

Mike Lemming said:
I run gfo and carbon in the same reactor and dose kalk in my ato.. I didn't cure my dry rock but the tank is only 5 months old..

Mike your fine, algae drives alot of people crazy, but give it a couple months and your rock will be fine. As long as its not out of hand, imo i wouldnt worry. Its food for your critters