3 Day Blackout Help

Mike Lemming · Jan 18, 2017

ReefBum said:
One thing I would point out is that, IMO, a 3 day black out should be a last resort to resolve a major issue with problematic algae. I have done it and it can stress out SPS, causing them to lose a bit of color. Yes, the color will typically return but a frag that is in a weekend state can die. I also once lost a Black and White Maxima clam. As others have said, the source of the problem has to be fixed or eventually the algae will return. So finding the source and fixing it IN CONJUNCTION with a 3 black out can be very effective.

What do I do if it's my rock leaching the phosphates?

WVReefJunkie · Jan 18, 2017

Get you a hanna checker for low range phosphate and a good nitrate test kit like red sea pro. If you have hair algae in your tank you have one of those factors feeding it. Reducing the lighting will only put a bandaid on the issue.

ReefBum · Jan 18, 2017

Mike Lemming said:
What do I do if it's my rock leaching the phosphates?

As @Randy Holmes-Farley stated in another discussion thread...."the phosphate on the rock is in equilibrium with phosphate in the water. So having the rock in water with a low to very low phosphate concentration will slowly remove it from the rock". I would be aggressive with GFO and change it out often to get phosphates down.

GoVols · Jan 18, 2017

Mike Lemming said:
What do I do if it's my rock leaching the phosphates?

If the hair algae is sucking up the phos. from your rocks and holding it in the algae it will not show phos. with a test kit.

I use this Hanna with the convertion chart attached below.

Phosphorus Ultra Low Range Colorimeter HI736 Hanna Checker
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/phosp...eter-hi736-hanna-checker-hc-marine-water.html

GoVols · Jan 18, 2017

ReefBum said:
As @Randy Holmes-Farley stated in another discussion thread...."the phosphate on the rock is in equilibrium with phosphate in the water. So having the rock in water with a low to very low phosphate concentration will slowly remove it from the rock". I would be aggressive with GFO and change it out often to get phosphates down.

+1
Tumbling Rowaphos GFO in a reactor worked for me (Old Leaching Rocks) and I changed it out often in the beginning too

RH-F, Also says GFO should tumble in it's own reactor to get the full benefit.

GoVols · Jan 18, 2017

double post

Mike Lemming · Jan 18, 2017

ReefBum said:
As @Randy Holmes-Farley stated in another discussion thread...."the phosphate on the rock is in equilibrium with phosphate in the water. So having the rock in water with a low to very low phosphate concentration will slowly remove it from the rock". I would be aggressive with GFO and change it out often to get phosphates down.

How often is often?

Robert Vacchiano · Jan 18, 2017

I did some black out and the fix was only tempery

GoVols · Jan 18, 2017

Robert Vacchiano said:
I did some black out and the fix was only tempery

Yes

A blackout does not fix the underlining problem.

ReefBum · Jan 19, 2017

Mike Lemming said:
How often is often?

I would swap it out at least 1x every 2 weeks, although it might be necessary to be more aggressive and do it 1x per week. Just test a couple of times a week to see how the levels are and replace the GFO if you still haven't reached your target.

FugeTown · Jan 19, 2017

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

I tried a turf scrubber and it was kinda loud and when the power goes out the screen will dry out and will be aggravating, well that's what happened to me right when it started to get some algae growing on it. I ended up just throwing some chaeto algae (a small piece) in my fuge with one of those spiral shaped light bulbs about 12" above it and that light is on when my display tank lights are off. A couple months later my fuge filled up with chaeto which I had to prune a big clump of it out so it could grow back again. I used to battle algae and it was frustrating, I even tried the lights out for 4 days with no success actually I lost my two clowns after the lights out method. A few months later with my chaeto I am very happy with my crystal clear water ALWAYS ZERO NITRATES and very minimal algae. I'll post a pic of my tank for you to see. Good luck hope you find a solution that works for you.

Mike Lemming · Jan 19, 2017

FugeTown said:
I tried a turf scrubber and it was kinda loud and when the power goes out the screen will dry out and will be aggravating, well that's what happened to me right when it started to get some algae growing on it. I ended up just throwing some chaeto algae (a small piece) in my fuge with one of those spiral shaped light bulbs about 12" above it and that light is on when my display tank lights are off. A couple months later my fuge filled up with chaeto which I had to prune a big clump of it out so it could grow back again. I used to battle algae and it was frustrating, I even tried the lights out for 4 days with no success actually I lost my two clowns after the lights out method. A few months later with my chaeto I am very happy with my crystal clear water ALWAYS ZERO NITRATES and very minimal algae. I'll post a pic of my tank for you to see. Good luck hope you find a solution that works for you.

Thanks man! I have cheato in my fuge too but still hair algae in the tank [emoji853]

FugeTown · Jan 19, 2017

Mike Lemming said:
Thanks man! I have cheato in my fuge too but still hair algae in the tank [emoji853]

How long have you had the chaeto in there for and how fast does your chaeto grow?

JP79 · Jan 19, 2017

Chaeto grows really quick with good light. The more you have the better. So as it grows you'll see the hair algae go away. But, most of the time people's refuge are to small or don't have enough chaeto. But give it some time. Some people say screw the cheato and go with bio pellets or something like that. GFO is a hit or miss. But stick with it.

Mike Lemming · Jan 23, 2017

JP79 said:
Chaeto grows really quick with good light. The more you have the better. So as it grows you'll see the hair algae go away. But, most of the time people's refuge are to small or don't have enough chaeto. But give it some time. Some people say screw the cheato and go with bio pellets or something like that. GFO is a hit or miss. But stick with it.

Thanks man!

Squirrel_reefer · Jan 25, 2017

sorry if this has been addressed! *Stupid question alert*
Will corals be ok!?

ReefBum · Jan 25, 2017

Squirrel_reefer said:
sorry if this has been addressed! *Stupid question alert*
Will corals be ok!?

I have had some SPS fade on me but colors usually returned. However, anything in a weakened state might not make it. Oh, and I did lose a small Black & White Maxima clam once, although I have had terrible luck with that type of Maxima