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View Full Version : Lights off.... Problem?

Captainfester
08/12/2011, 03:22 PM
So I'm battling cyano at the moment. I have read that other than getting rid of the causes.... Nutrient levels, phosphates etc that going dark on the tank for a few days could help me get ahead in the battle. The only question is. I am going away for 3.5 days. Can I leave it dark for this time?

Inhabitants are fish cuc a few zoas a leather..... And my main concern. Three bta.

Thoughts? And should I go hard on lights out and cover the tank sides to prevent day light?
Jadams
08/12/2011, 03:24 PM
you dont need to actually cover the tank itself, but the 3 days lights out will work. Ive done it 4 times and never had any problems.

GL :thumbsup:
thebkramer
08/12/2011, 03:31 PM
totally agree with Jadams ;)

just as long as you know where your source of cyano is coming from and fixed it.. lights out will def help...
(as long as no direct sun goes into tank.. you don't need to cover it)

I've also gone 3 days no lights.. 1 day actinics only.. with a BTA and a PLTA and had nooo problems......

Good Luck :fish2:
evsalty
08/12/2011, 04:08 PM
You will be fine to do lights out for the 3.5 days. I strongly suggest that you have new water ready and waiting for when you come back to do an imediate water change of good size.
Ron Reefman
08/12/2011, 04:12 PM
you dont need to actually cover the tank itself, but the 3 days lights out will work. Ive done it 4 times and never had any problems.

GL :thumbsup:

But as this post clearly shows, lights out only cures the symptom (the cyano). Cure the problem, you don't create any cyano and you should only have to do this once, not 4 times! Of course if you've been doing this for a long time, maybe 4 isn't so many... right Jadams. LOL!
Jadams
08/12/2011, 05:37 PM
But as this post clearly shows, lights out only cures the symptom (the cyano). Cure the problem, you don't create any cyano and you should only have to do this once, not 4 times! Of course if you've been doing this for a long time, maybe 4 isn't so many... right Jadams. LOL!

4 as in, once each with the 4 tanks ive had over the past 8 years ;)

:wavehand:
hollister
08/12/2011, 06:05 PM
A few days without light would be alright , and reduced light may help the problem but will not cure it . You still need to figure out the cause.

You mentioned covering sides for sunlight , if sunlight actually hits the tank this could be the cause.
Also power head placement and age of tank with amount of stock.