anybody try lights out method for algae control

[frenchie]

some other reefers i know from another forum have tried going without tank lights for 3 days once in awhile to help clear out algae blooms and so far the ones that did it got amazing results. Some have said water and sand cleared up drastically. So was checking here to see if anyone tried it I'm on second day of no lights except moonlights and fuge lights and anylight from room.

 

[DrBDC]

I've used it w/freshwater tanks many times with great sucess. That was for water column algae though. Sometimes even a "blackout" is needed with freshwater where you cover the whole tank up with a black plastic or something to block out even the room lights.

 

[geoxman]

I would first try and focus on why you are having algae problems. good luck

 

[craig813]

I did once. When the lights came back on it was obvious that the GHA was dead or dying. I did a water change and it helped for a couple of weeks. My problem is that I have a poor skimmer.

It may be a usefull tool in the bag to help fight algea problems, but I don't think it is the be all end all.

craig

 

[frenchie]

just a little hair algae, water is clear, just going to do 2 days, coral in wild don't get light everyday all day anyway.

 

[scbadiver]

I did it for 3 days about a week after adding a bunch of new rock and stuff. The nutrients were high then. Did a water change first, put new carbon in the canister and left it off for 3 days. It really all worked together well. The sand was white and the water sparkled. It worked well and I was able to leave the a/c off for the holiday weekend while I was gone. Seemed like a winner all the way around. I might make this a habit when I'm leaving for a few days over a weekend.

 

[StupidsReef]

Interesting. Anyone else try this method?? I'd love to but I'm worried about the effects to the corals and my clams.

 

[kh6sat]

I read about it somewhere and was planning on doing it but don't kno a good and safe pattern. DOn't know how long corals can go without light.

 

[scbadiver]

I don't know about the clams but I can tell you I have Frog spawn, Monti, GSP, Brain, Zenia, Tons-o-zoos, Candy canes, and some other misc stuff and absolutely none of it looked bad at all. Most looked better than before once I turned the lights back on. I did only the actinics for the first day then turned the Halides back on the second day after lights out.

 

[frenchie]

did the same thing actnics first day then halides next day water and sand looked great.