Do Photo Period Gaps Actually Work Against Algae?

[xoedusk]

Has anyone successfully used a 2 hour gap in the photo period to combat algae? That is, kept everything else the same (ferts, WPG) and only changed how often the lights are on?

Trying to combat a bit of algae.

 

[atmmachine816]

like 5 hours on 2 hours off 5 hours on, I do and georgefarmer says he does in one of the stickys I think.

 

[excaliborg]

I use lighting from 12-3 then 5-11.

That's 3 hours on, 2 hours off. then 6 hours on. No algae. Used to be on from 10 till 11 with the same setup and algae was growing on everything.

 

[netcode]

i do 5 on 1 off 5 on.

algae growth has slowed but the frequent water changes could also be a factor

 

[plantbrain]

I've never seen any relatable effects to doing this, it hurts the plants as much as any algae.

The onlyu plausible thing it might do is allow for more CO2 to build up for the plants to use if the CO2 is underpowered to begin with.

But that assumes you have a CO2 issyue, which often is the case.
So if you are in the border line area, it piotentially could help, but that's becomes casing the probelm rather than solving the cause, the poor CO2.

CO2 seems to account for about 95% of all the algae related issues folks generally have on line.

And algae can easily adapt rapidly(faster, there's less tissue to drive and start up) to a wide range of lighting conditions, more so than most plant species.


Regards,
Tom Barr

 

[Fillet 'O' Fish]

Tom
Changing the subject slightly, whats your view on substrate heater cbales? Do they work? or just a gimmic?
Regards

Brian

 

[JamesC]

The onlyu plausible thing it might do is allow for more CO2 to build up for the plants to use if the CO2 is underpowered to begin with.

Thank you Tom for mentioning this. This topic seems to come up quite often and I'm always banging on about this CO2 issue but people seem to think I'm talking rubbish. I've always found it best to have a single light period with possibly a bright period in the middle to mimic midday sun.

James

 

[netcode]

there are also other ways to treat algae.

check nitrates.
do frequent water changes.

co2 might be the answer but its expensive and takes a lot to maintain it. plus is it ever really stable.

but then again I am quite anti-co2 for some reason seen too many problems with it

 

[xoedusk]

Thank you all for the input. Going to try 5 on, 2 off, 5 on and see how that works.
Nutrafin CO2, 3 WPG, also beginning a semi-E.I.

 

[atmmachine816]

I've never seen any relatable effects to doing this, it hurts the plants as much as any algae.

The onlyu plausible thing it might do is allow for more CO2 to build up for the plants to use if the CO2 is underpowered to begin with.

But that assumes you have a CO2 issyue, which often is the case.
So if you are in the border line area, it piotentially could help, but that's becomes casing the probelm rather than solving the cause, the poor CO2.

CO2 seems to account for about 95% of all the algae related issues folks generally have on line.

And algae can easily adapt rapidly(faster, there's less tissue to drive and start up) to a wide range of lighting conditions, more so than most plant species.


Regards,
Tom Barr

I had read that it takes longer for the algae to start photosynthesis and the plants take a shorter time thus this doesn't hurt them much, so are you saying this is wrong, because I would believe it, just wana get it right. Thanks