Algea solution?

S

STraBO

An Image of Ron Livingston
Jan 8, 2004
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I have a layer or rusty algea covering my substrate. My fish eat a little of it, but they can not catch up. I want to get rid of it so here is my non-chemical solution.

I keep the lights off and cover the tank with a thick blanket for a few day to a week. No sunlight or interior light for the algea.

Should this work, is it an OK idea? I still feed the fish so they are minimally exposed to light. It is really just an expeirement, becuase I prefer looking at my tank even with algea compared to a big draped box.
 
Sure, that will work. Once the tank starts getting light again, the algae will come back. You can try cutting back on the amount and/or duration of light the tank gets during the day AND cut back on feeding the fish (less frequently and/or less amount per feeding). This is a more permanent solution.
 
What you are doing is what some call a 'blackout.' And, yes I have had to do it on the 125 gallon to get rid cyanobacteria. If you have live plants it may weakend them some, but not kill them. That's for a 3 day period..
 
No live plants, and I have reduced their feeding about 1/3. This tank is in my basement, so it recieves little sunlight, but the hood lamps are on for 16 hours a day average. I should get on a better schedule.
 
16 hours? Wow, I'll bet since you already cut the feed back, if you go with 10 hours of light, you wouldn't need to do a blackout. A few good water changes during the week would help.
 
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