Black Out

[daveedka]

Continued to have new and prolific forms of algae. Too impatient, so wanted to jump start process with eliminating current algae infestation.

Someday I plan to write a book on ways to grow algea, I think I've invented a couple of new strains of algea in the last three months.:laugh: :sad :laugh:

I love the experience of figuring out why and beating it. But when It gets bad I shut off the lights, and kill it, then do things better when it's gone. eventually I'll get everything right, but I'm not in a big hurry yet.

On the contrary, I need to grow some algea in my guppy tank, to help get the snails to reproduce faster. Between the plants and the guppies, there isn't enough food for the snails or the algea. Go figure.

 

[mtber]

So what should I have expected when I uncovered my tank after the blackout? (3 days - this time!)

I really can't see much of a difference except some of my plants got leggy.

 

[djlen]

Unless you have BBA, you should have seen a dramatic decline in algae after 3 days. I always recommend a 4 day blackout with large water changes at the start, after 2 days and after 4 days.
When I've used this tactic in the past, the 4 day interval seemed much more effective
This has been said repeatedly on the forum and in this thread.
Patience and keeping after it will fix the problem.
If you started, and continue to follow instructions in the Tom Barr post and keep cleaning the algae, eventually it will recede and as the plants prosper, will clear up.
Build your plant mass and keep the CO2 in the upper 20's and you will see a difference.

Len