Black out for GHA

Jmas4 · Feb 1, 2017

How long should I black out my tank to get rid of GHA? I am going to turn lights on at 4pm to 5pm so my fish can eat. I will run my sump light 24/7 to help combat the hair algae. Should I feed my fish less during this time period because they will have a slower metabolism? How long can my fish handle the blackout until they get stressed?

CodyRVA · Feb 1, 2017

I've done blackouts for dinos, but not for GHA. I suspect it will work, but if you don't tackle your nutrient problem, it'll probably come back. No different than using Chemi clean IMO, its a bandaid; if you don't get to the root of the issue... you'll end up in the same place. Instead of doing the blackout, have you considered introducing some emerald crabs, temporarily... until you export the excessive nutrients? Crabs are quite dumb and easy to remove once the issue and GHA has been removed. Just a thought...

You can keep the emeralds in there perm, but IME they go after softies if they don't have any GHA

Jmas4 · Feb 1, 2017

I can't keep any Cuc because this is a predatory tank. I going to add more powerheads so thieres no dead spot for detritus but the algae clog up the powerhead. I know it's a nutrient problem but I can't combat the nutrients because the algae eats it up first. I have GFO and Nopox but the algae is eating up the nutrients before it can. I need the algae to die even if temporarily so my nopox and gfo can suck the nutrients out of the water before alage can grow back.

MCFish23 · Feb 1, 2017

You need to manually remove as much of the GHA before the blackout. Then do a large water change after the blackout. This will be your best bet on getting things back under control. Your fish should be fine for a few days. If I was you I would go 3 days off back on for 1 day (would feed fish multiple times throughout the day) then do big WC. More manual removal. Then go 3 more days blackout.

MCFish23 · Feb 1, 2017

I would also research about dosing hydrogen peroxide. With fish only this might be a very effective way to battle it !

Jmas4 · Feb 1, 2017

MCFish23 said:
You need to manually remove as much of the GHA before the blackout. Then do a large water change after the blackout. This will be your best bet on getting things back under control. Your fish should be fine for a few days. If I was you I would go 3 days off back on for 1 day (would feed fish multiple times throughout the day) then do big WC. More manual removal. Then go 3 more days blackout.

Why do I need to do a feeding in the middle of a balckout week then everyday with only one hour of light?