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MacFan · 06-09-2009, 07:24 PM

I was having BBA in most of my tanks and some other algae issues in one tank I redid recently. When I went out of town on vacation for 6 days, I turned off the CO2 and the lights for the whole time. I did a water change before I left, and a roommate fed the fish when I was gone. I got back in late so didn't turn the lights back on until the following day when I was able to do water changes. It was probably 7 or 8 days. I didn't cover the tanks but I have blinds over the windows. So the tanks got room lighting and that's all. Although some red plants had lost their red color and one of my plants suffered from stem breaks, all the non-BBA algae was gone and BBA had definitely been set back. After a water change and normal dose of EI, I resumed normal lighting and within 3 days the plants were returning to their previous appearance. It's been a week and a half and the Ammania Gracilious (sp?) that was covered in BGA when I left is growing well for the first time... maybe ever!

Excel and Peroxide are useful too, and I use them, but don't underestimate the value of a sustained blackout.

Michael

06-09-2009, 07:24 PM	#4 (permalink)
MacFan Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 262 iTrader Ratings: 15 iTrader Positive Rating: 100% Plant Points: 21050	Re: mayday I was having BBA in most of my tanks and some other algae issues in one tank I redid recently. When I went out of town on vacation for 6 days, I turned off the CO2 and the lights for the whole time. I did a water change before I left, and a roommate fed the fish when I was gone. I got back in late so didn't turn the lights back on until the following day when I was able to do water changes. It was probably 7 or 8 days. I didn't cover the tanks but I have blinds over the windows. So the tanks got room lighting and that's all. Although some red plants had lost their red color and one of my plants suffered from stem breaks, all the non-BBA algae was gone and BBA had definitely been set back. After a water change and normal dose of EI, I resumed normal lighting and within 3 days the plants were returning to their previous appearance. It's been a week and a half and the Ammania Gracilious (sp?) that was covered in BGA when I left is growing well for the first time... maybe ever! Excel and Peroxide are useful too, and I use them, but don't underestimate the value of a sustained blackout. Michael