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Re: [Killietalk] Last quick question
"Mark & Peta" <mbethke at socal_rr.com> wrote:
So since we are taking off on vacation for 3-4 days can I let the tank stay
"lights off" for that period and not feed the fish so the algae will die off
and the high nitrite level will drop? The local fish store tested a sample
of my water and found extremely high nitrite levels , I also took an sample
of a anubus leaf with the "algae " I have and they identified it as simple
green algae and not cynobacteria.
They instructed me to not feed the fish for three days , and to use a
product called "cycle" to replace the beneficial bacteria.
All tests I have seen show it to be a total waste of time and money. A
cupful of mulmy change water from an established tank will work far, far
better, but at a $$ loss to the LFS.
I just wanted to check in with the combined knowledge of this list to assure
me of the success rate of this procedure.
So to sum up the situation here's what we are doing:
1) No feeding for 3 - 4 days Yes / No ?
2) Lights off for the 3 - 4 days Yes / No ?
3) If this is a simple green bacteria will the black out method destroy the
algae and not the plants Yes / No ?
4) Will the Black out harm the fish Yes / No ?
5) Can the fish go 3 - 4 days without food Yes / No?
I agree with Leo on all but the algae being destroyed. It may be or the
plants may get the upper hand and do the rest of the job. Vascular
plants need a daily light fluctuation so they can switch from
photosynthesis to respiration. Algae do not. Sometimes a few days of
blackout works wonders on algae.
I often leave fish without food for a week or so. Oleg Kiselev once
toured Russia for three weeks and lost only one fish from his good-sized
fishroom! If the tanks are planted and healthy, they will do fine for a
few days. [I think his loss rate was better than when he was there
feeding and fussing with them. :-)]
I have even left new babies without feeding for about 10 days over Xmas.
I made sure they had clean water, but dropped about a 1" piece of
lettuce on the surface of their water. That fed enough infusoria to
prevent any losses. Likewise, eggs that hatched found some Java Moss
with infusoria to graze on until I got home.
Wright
--
Wright Huntley - Rt. 001 Box K36, Bishop CA 93514 - whuntley at verizon_net
760 872-3995
Eschew obfuscation and bloviation!
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