How long can lights be out?

Bryon · Jan 25, 2014

I have some algae that seems to recede as lights go down. I'd like to try going without light to see if it takes it out, but was wondering how long I can have it off without hurting anything. I have both fish and corals. Should I leave the refugium light on all day? Any help would be appreciated.

tearlessnikon · Jan 25, 2014

I've done it for 3 days with no damage to my coral but I turned dt lights and sump lights

Davesgt · Jan 25, 2014

ive done it for 2 day and had no problems at all.

EW_Fish · Jan 25, 2014

3 days would be max for me.
But if you have an algae problem now more then likly when your lights come back on it will start again. I would do some testing and a large water change

Bryon · Jan 25, 2014

How about the refugium light? On or off.

Kworker · Jan 25, 2014

I would fight it at its source. Try to figure out whats causing it.
For most it's overfeeding + not enough WC's. Possibly too long of lighting schedule.

If possible, best route is to siphon of bottom If is on sand, or if you can take out rock easily. Put some DT water in bucket and use a brandnew toothbrush and brush it off.

-KC

EW_Fish · Jan 25, 2014

KCbutnotsosunshine said:
I would fight it at its source. Try to figure out whats causing it.
For most it's overfeeding + not enough WC's. Possibly too long of lighting schedule.

If possible, best route is to siphon of bottom If is on sand, or if you can take out rock easily. Put some DT water in bucket and use a brandnew toothbrush and brush it off.

-KC

Toothbrush works great. I keep two under the tank to clean rock/pumps/filters/skimmer.. When doing your water change like he said clean your sand and then run your hose around the rock to suck up all the crap out of your rocks. You can run the fuge light while the display lights are off because the algae cant get any light when the light is in your fuge there for cant grow. But I still think theres a problem if your having algae issues

Reefing Madness · Jan 25, 2014

YOu can leave the Fuge light on, as thats the place you want the algae to grow.
After your done with the lights out, you really should check your phosphate levels, if you don't find out how it was caused it will come right back on you.

Bryon · Jan 25, 2014

I believe it's my lighting schedule and possibly some natural light from the windows near by. I was asking about lights out to try and start the clean up process after adjusting my light schedule. I really can't take my rock out. Thanks for the help so far.

Kworker · Jan 25, 2014

Bryon said:
I believe it's my lighting schedule and possibly some natural light from the windows near by. I was asking about lights out to try and start the clean up process after adjusting my light schedule. I really can't take my rock out. Thanks for the help so far.

Also, what size tank is it?

Bryon · Jan 25, 2014

It's a 180

dave9905 · Jan 25, 2014

I just had to do a 7 day black out to get rid of dinoflagellates. All fish and corals are fine. Some of my sps have lost some color but are not dead and will just take some time for them to bounce back.

Bryon · Jan 25, 2014

dave9905 said:
I just had to do a 7 day black out to get rid of dinoflagellates. All fish and corals are fine. Some of my sps have lost some color but are not dead and will just take some time for them to bounce back.

Did your PH drop at all?

dave9905 · Jan 25, 2014

not much, I still dosed 2 part every day but added a little more alk to try to keep the ph up. I never saw it get below 7.9. Usually able to keep it at 8.2. I did turn the fuge light on for a couple hours a day while I was home.