Anyone doing blackouts on a regular basis?

apex003 · Feb 9, 2016

If this has already been discussed, apologies...

Is anyone doing 48-72 hour blackouts regularly? I'm finding that 72 hours every two months is becoming a regular part of my algae control regimen.

LiquidLenny · Feb 9, 2016

There's much more long term consistent ways to control algae...turning off the lights is not one of them. How often does that occur in nature?...it doesn't. Controlling your nitrates and phosphates...research that.

apex003 · Feb 9, 2016

LiquidLenny said:
There's much more long term consistent ways to control algae...turning off the lights is not one of them. How often does that occur in nature?...it doesn't. Controlling your nitrates and phosphates...research that.

Deleted. Not feeding the troll

SteveSTL · Dec 11, 2016

Yes, I do them as well. The sun doesn't shine 12/7/365 anyplace and especially over the ocean there are storms, typhoons, hurricanes, etc. depending upon the location. A blackout period gives the corals a chance to "rest" and it also has a detrimental effect on different types of algaes. I do 3 days and then do a water change at the end of the 3rd day. When the lights come on the next day, the water is amazingly clear, the sandbed is a pristine white and the polyp extension is amazing.

ahiggins · Dec 11, 2016

I have a 10 gallon that has a manual on off switch for the light. I've never given it much thought but every once in a while I forget to turn it on lol I do notice the sand bed looks a lot better after

cilyjr · Dec 11, 2016

I run gfo (only when po4 test above .05) have some macro algae (mostly for diurnal ph swings) on opposite lighting schedule . I will still black out for 3 days from time to time. I've never lost anything because of though I often find my fairy wrasse and/or sailing blenny in the overflow afterwards.