Photoperiod Siesta

[aquaticadmirer]

I've only recently heard about breaking up the photoperiod to help prevent algae. What I've read is that this helps because most plants are able to adapt to the break in lighting, while algae isn't.

My question is does anybody know if you need the dynamic of having plants in the aquarium for this to work? I have an unplanted tank and don't really have an algae problem, but I hate algae with a passion, so anything that prevents it is fine with me! I was wondering if it's merely the fact that the algae need continuous light to grow that makes it work, or if it also has something to do with the plants using up some of the nutrients in the tank. Anybody have any information on this subject?

While we're at it, anybody know of any good tips on preventing algae growth?

 

[Liam]

I haven’t read anything very convincing that the siesta works. In a tank with no plants water changes, a short photo period and a few algae eaters helps prevent the algae. With water and nutrients you will always get some algae.

 

[JamesC]

It is a myth.

Chances are it will hurt the plants more than the algae as algae are much faster at responding to changing conditions. Some people report a benefit, but this is because they have poor CO2, so the break allows CO2 to build back up, not because the break hurts algae.

James

 

[aquaticadmirer]

It is a myth.

Chances are it will hurt the plants more than the algae as algae are much faster at responding to changing conditions. Some people report a benefit, but this is because they have poor CO2, so the break allows CO2 to build back up, not because the break hurts algae.

James

Ahh I see. That kind of makes more sense to me anyway, because algae grows so fast and things that grow fast are usually more adaptable. I might just start setting the light to go off during the day anyway, since I'm usually not home and less light equals less vegetation of any kind! Thanks though!