Battling algae with a clam

[e048]

Will a 3 days lights out harm or kill my squamosa clam? I'm battling some kind of mystery algae (turf, dinos, diatoms, hairs, nobody can give me a straight answer...)

I'm going to do a 3 days lights out then a big water change will this hurt my squamosa clam he's 10ins and pretty healthy...

[Reef Frog]

I would ID the algae first and see what methods are recommended to control it and see if they're compatible with your clam. Lights out, by itself, is rarely a solution to green algaes for example, but might be effective on dinoflagellates.

[e048]

I'm fighting hair, diatoms, and cyano

[jonwright]

All three? That's no fun. Seems oftentimes folks that have Dino's and cyano have trouble growing algae, and being able to grow it is seen as a good sign that balance is returning to the tank.

But 3 days shouldn't harm the clam if he's healthy to begin with. However, about as often as not just turning off the lights doesn't fix the underlying issue.

[e048]

I'm aware,

I'm trying to kill off the algae with no lights so that my gfo and carbon can suck the excess nutrients from the water

[ejk17]

I'm aware,

I'm trying to kill off the algae with no lights so that my gfo and carbon can suck the excess nutrients from the water

I would reduce lighting cycle to less hours per day and add more carbon a gfo and do water changes 2x as much as you are now. I have had success with this method... it takes a bit longer to see results but i would not risk the health of a mature clam.
It too feeds off the light and 3 days without food would be quite stressful for it IMO. I wouldn't be happy 3 days without food. I assume you wouldn't be filter feeding during these 3 days either because you are trying to clean up your water...

[e048]

I've cut my lights to 3 hours a day and I'm using a toothbrush and 100micron sock to get the algae off

[Opcn]

Did it work?

[csb123]

I feel it will excessively stress the clam