black out algae??!!

right know have a bad algae problem i have no coral, only 4 damsels, and 20 blue legged hermits, my question is could i shut off my lights and newspaper my tank to dark it out to try to starve the algae because this stuff does not stop growing quick responses would be helpful!

 

Need more info man, tanks size age etc. But I think if the algae is a new thing perhaps look into the cause, dont try and fight the symptoms by simply starving out the algea, you may find once you turn your lights on again, bang, the exact same problem.
Tap water being used?

 

go look at the thread that i posted its called cyno i spelled it wrong, but thats the thread name is still in the frontish of the algae forum ull find info their, yes tap, its the nitrates from florida tap

 

right, link would have been nice JK

well there seems to be some good advice on that thread, the main thing to take from all this is the tap water
I know you've heard it all before, but tap water is no good. I came on here and read the more experienced guys constantly banging on about not using tap water and never belived it until I made my own mistakes. The best thing i've done is stop using it.
A tap filter wont be good enough I wouldnt imagine, you will need a full RO/DI unit plumbed in, or just buy the water.

 

well writen thats one thing im looking into good water, but is it safe to kill of the algae with a blackout, to slow growth, because its extremely overwelming, so when i do a water change more affect is taken

 

The only thing I can think of that might be bad for a blackout is the other life in the tank relying on it. Fish may get stressed, crabs might trip out. If you kill that much algae too quickly you may find huge phosphate climbs which will have to be combatted with some aggressive chemical filtration, if its that bad treat the source of the problem right away and you'll see in no time the algae will starve itself out and die more natuarally, reducing an amonia spike aswell.
Saying that however, I am a naturalist with my reef tank, and try to belive in no chemicals, or aggressive filtration - many disagree and thats fine, i prefer BMW over Merc's, and ppl dissagree with that aswell. The best thing is to take in all the advice given, and ultimatly make up your own mind.
When things are done slowly, other problems arise slower aswell. If you blackout your tank, and then tear the paper off to find a couplea dead fish and even more non-light dependant algae you'll be in even more trouble.

 

it will come back...export nutrients while removing the algae manually or with a cuc - works all the time on every algae

 

ok thank you