3 days lights out questions.

[maroun.c]

Some questions about 3 days light out to deal with Cyano:
-Does it have to be total darkness or are room lights Ok?
-do you turn on the lights for few minutes to feed the fish or do you just feed in the drakness or will it be 3 days with no food?
-if you're dosing vodka or using BP do you discontinue them during/after treatment?
-how about some bacteria dosing during post lights out would that help eradicate remaining cyano by starving it?

Thanks.

[rsaha]

I've done a couple extended lights out battling dines. I covered the tank completely (blankets over the glass) and left the lights out for the full time. I did not feed the fish (for 3 days you should be OK). I also ran GFO to take out the phosphates released as the die off occurred.

I was not dosing vodka or using pellets at the time.

One thing to remember is to bring your lights up slowly after an extended blackout to acclimate your corals.

Good luck.

[rsaha]

Originally Posted by rsaha

I've done a couple extended lights out battling dines. I covered the tank completely (blankets over the glass) and left the lights out for the full time. I did not feed the fish (for 3 days you should be OK). I also ran GFO to take out the phosphates released as the die off occurred.

I was not dosing vodka or using pellets at the time.

One thing to remember is to bring your lights up slowly after an extended blackout to acclimate your corals.

Good luck.

I meant dinos - stupid autocorrect

[reefgeezer]

+1 for total darkness. I used blankets also. The fish and corals will be fine. A water change and fresh GAC just prior to the lights out period helps.

[BigAl2007]

I also did total darkness but I was able to make a fairly well fitting "Box". After lights out I removed the box and started a 3 day light acclimation period.

Also I did a lot of cleaning and a large water change immediately after removing "the box".

I didn't feed during the 3 days but I kept vinegar dosing the whole time (via ATO)

[BigAl2007]

I also did total darkness but I was able to make a fairly well fitting "Box". After lights out I removed the box and started a 3 day light acclimation period.

Also I did a lot of cleaning and a large water change immediately after removing "the box".

I didn't feed during the 3 days but I kept vinegar dosing the whole time (via ATO)

[b0bab0ey]

Originally Posted by maroun.c

Some questions about 3 days light out to deal with Cyano:
-Does it have to be total darkness or are room lights Ok?
-do you turn on the lights for few minutes to feed the fish or do you just feed in the drakness or will it be 3 days with no food?
-if you're dosing vodka or using BP do you discontinue them during/after treatment?
-how about some bacteria dosing during post lights out would that help eradicate remaining cyano by starving it?

Thanks.

I cover the outside of my tank with black garbage bags when I go lights out. I've found lights out to be much more effective this way. I also drop a little flake in the tank everyday. Can't help ya with the vodka/bacteria dosing. But remember to bring your lights back slowly after doing 3-day lights out. Just run actinics the first day if you can.

[sirreal63]

3 days may not be enough, it took 5 for my cyano and still a little survived. You know when it is on the way out, your skim will turn red, or mine did.