[APD] RE: blackout/O2 etc

["Thomas Barr" <tcbiii at earthlink_net>]

>Hello, I was thinking of doing a tank blackout (to help with a persistent
>greenspot/dust algae) while I was away on a 5 day trip and doing a good
>prune when I get back.

It will not help with these algae, especially green spot.
Try adding some PO4 regularly/upping the CO2/traces. 

To get rid of green dust: Scrub off well without any current in the tank,
then do a large water change lightly vacuuming the substrate.

You can do a blackout following this if you want(It will not effect the
green spot) which may make this more effective.
I finally got some green dust to grow a couple of years ago and worked with
it. If you do repeated treatments as mentioned(no blackout), Diatom after
scrubbing, UV etc will all help.   

>My worry though is the fish getting enough oxygen during the blackout as
the
>plants won't be making any.  I'd say I have a med fish load.  Any ideas?
>I'll probably use a towel on the top of the tank and leave 1/2 of the glass
>cover open but not sure if that allows enough air to circulate.  I have a
>spray bar which I could raise to get heavy surface agitation.

Yes, that's all you'd need to do, and turn off the CO2.
I'd suggest a good scrub like I said above, then do this.
That will maximize your success.

Note: Gloss and other plants elongate(they do not grow) during blackouts.So
they may be lanky when you get back.

Regards, 
Tom Barr

>Tank is 90 gal, heavily planted.

>Thanks
>Peter.




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