Tank Blackout, How Long And Will My Fish Be Ok

[russellbrooke]

Evening,

I've just completed a normal 30% weekly water change. Then covered my jewul 260 vision in thick blank bin bags (just around then glass). I've turned of my c02 solenoid, and lights.

I'm trying a tank blackout for the next couple of days. I've tried most things to get rid of my algae and I’m at the end of my tether.

I've read through the pinned articles, and it suggests doing this for 3 days.

So....

Has anyone done this type of algae knockout before? If so what experiences have you had? Is three days too long, too short?

2nd, will my fish be ok. I've got 4 bosemani rainbows, 2 platinum veil tail angels, 1 Opaline Gourami, 2 bottis, and several other small fish.

Thanks

 

[zig]

What type of algae have you got? blackouts really only work for green water or BGA or blue green algae, it wont work for other types of algae so may be a waste of time depending on the type you have.

 

[russellbrooke]

I tried putting water in a bowl, and it's green.

The algae builds up on the glass, gravel and leaves. After a water change the algae builds up very quickly. After a day or two.

It's dark green/blue, so a i assumeed it was bga.

 

[ChrisP]

BGA is like a slime and really smells when you take it out the water, does this sound like your problem?

 

[russellbrooke]

I can't pull stands of algae out the water so i can't really tell if it smells or not. The tank does whiff a bit though.

When i siphon the water out during the water change, it more or less gets sucked up. I have to clean as many leaves as possible with my fingers. And it's quite slimely. Does anyone have any links to algae pics so i can identify it?

 

[ChrisP]

Heres some pics of a rather extreme case I had a while back.

 

[scott67892002]

that looks a bit like mine did. i quite liked the BGA carpet effect it easier to grow than glosso!!

 

[russellbrooke]

Chris,

That's how mine gets!

Here's an example of mine, not as bad as yours! I've taken the cover off now as i wasn't sure if it was bga.

I think i'll do another water change on saturday and try the black out again.

So back to my original question, will my fish be ok for 3 days without food?

 

[Phillip.M]

yes they would; just feed them before you start the blackout.

 

[ChrisP]

Yeah as said above the fish will be fine.

Clean as well as you can before you do the blackout, after th eblackout clean well again with a good gravel vac and then clean your filter out.

As you have read the article I presume you know about nitrates and so on so I wont bother going through it. Just get them up quickly after the blackout and cleaning routine.