Turning the lights off..

Papadovak · Jul 9, 2014

The moment of anticipation is finally here. Today marks day one of a three day LIGHTS OUT! I just got home from work and realized how much of a bummer it is to have the lights off. I read that people wrap their tanks with blankets to keep ambient light out is that REALLY necessary? I mean it sucks enough that the lights are off but to wrap the tank?.... Hopefully the algae scrubber, lights out, and the major water change on Friday with kick the cyano once and for all...

ray2:

Papadovak · Jul 9, 2014

:bump: yah or nah on the blanket?

Aqua fire/medic · Jul 9, 2014

How much ambient light is the tank getting?

NanaReefer · Jul 9, 2014

I never wrapped mine.

Reefing Madness · Jul 9, 2014

Totally blackin out of the tank is usually one when some outside sunlight happens to hit the tank, or alot of direct indoor lighting. But, with an alage scrubber going with this, man that should clean you right up. I am hoping your also running a skimmer, because the third day is when the skimmer comes in handy, as the majority of the algae dies off.

mike007 · Jul 9, 2014

Blacking out your tank may kill off the cyno but If you don't find why you have It In the first place It will come back. Most all of these problems are caused by excess nutrients. You need to figure out where these are coming from. Overfeeding, overloaded bio load, inadequate water changes etc. can cause these problems. Test your water for phosphates and nitrates and make sure you are using ro water with 0 tds.

Papadovak · Jul 9, 2014

OK good no blankets as long gone as my wife doesn't feel the need to open the curtains on our front window.....

Honestly I'd why I have it my tank is fairly new. I do a little over 10% WC every sunday. (It's actually 14% I did the math) I have two clowns and a blue damsel which I feed omega one flakes every other day. Nitrates test at 5 ppm and phosphates at 0 that I know are at 0 bc of the "algea"

mike007 · Jul 9, 2014

Most flake foods contain a lot of phosphate. You might consider frozen foods and rinse before feeding.
Only feed enough that your fish will consume In 2-3 minutes and never let It hit the bottom of tank.

fishroomlady · Jul 9, 2014

little late to the question but I don't think you have to wrap in blankets. It's hard enough keeping the lights off when you're at home with no tank to watch - is your tank fairly new?

Papadovak · Jul 10, 2014

mike007 said:
Most flake foods contain a lot of phosphate. You might consider frozen foods and rinse before feeding.
Only feed enough that your fish will consume In 2-3 minutes and never let It hit the bottom of tank.

When you say rinse?....

And yea it's about 7 months old