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Black out

3K views 12 replies 4 participants last post by  iamntbatman 
#1 ·
I'm thinking about doing a black out on my 20 gallon. I have black hair algae EVERYWHERE its ugly and I hate it. I should get a SAE but they require a slightly bigger tank then a 20 gallon (But if anyone tells me its ok then I'm down) I've had enough of this algae and I want it gone. But I just added this small sword plant and its already lost quite a few leaves (and grew some back) But I'm afraid the black out might harm it. Whats your opinion? And if I have a 65 watt light on a 20 gallon do I REALLY need a co2? :-( I've been putting it off for so long but if it needs to be done I'll do it.
 
#2 ·
I've started the blackout anyways. I figure it can't do to much harm that the plant can't recover from. I put the light from my 20 gallon on my 29 just until the blackout done... Lol I don't think I've ever seen that tank glow so brightly... If only I had another 100 bucks and I would get that tank a new light fixture too.

Can anyone give me some advice as to how long this black out should go on for? I was thinking like three days max... But I don't really know how tough black hair algae is.
 
#3 ·
Umm, you know what the problem is? Such high lighting, with no Co2... Thats a common occurence and can easily be fixed via 2 methods....

1. Get lower levels of lighting (not really an option)
2. Integrate Co2 useage into your tank...(pressurized/DIY)

At the end of the day, DIY Co2 costs after a whole year end up being just abit more expensive than a proper Co2 setup...
 
#4 ·
Lol yeah I know that I'll need a co2 to keep the algae at bay.. But I don't really have the money for a proper co2 system or a DIY. I started buying the materials for a DIY a while back and all I need is silicone airline tubing and bulk heads... But I have a job interview on Thursday, so fingers crossed. If I get the job I'll definitely be buying a good co2 system.
 
#6 ·
Thanks! :) I really need the job lol I just really want to spend tons of money on fish stuff. But I'm sure thats what we all want to do :lol:
 
#7 ·
black brush algae is the worst. If it really is EVERYWHERE like u say, a break down wd be the best solution cos there will be traces everywhere...filter, substrate and so on....and start all over again, after bleaching everything. an sae wont do the job...it does eat bbw, but only reluctantly
 
#8 ·
Do you know of any fish suited for a 20 gallon that would eat this stuff? Also how long do you recommend I do the black out for? Its been like 2 days already. And it really is everywhere. I just want to see if the black out made a dent in it or not.
 
#9 ·
Florida flag fish are very good at eating hair algae and will fit in a 20g tank. Is this your platy tank? From what I've read livebearers generally make good tankmates for flag fish, but you may still want to watch how it acts because some people have reported them being somewhat aggressive. They're very cool fish, though.
 
#10 ·
Hmmm... Have we had this conversation before batman? I believe we have, or I've read you telling someone else that. Thanks a lot, I'll look into them. Last time I was at my LFS they had those guys so maybe I'll pick a few up. Thanks again!!!
 
#11 ·
I would only pick one up, unless you can sex them and want to try breeding them. The males are very territorial and won't get along with one another; if you get males and and females it'll be worse. Also, they're actually pretty easy to breed, so if you get a male and a female you can expect them to spawn.
 
#13 ·
He shouldn't get lonely. Florida flag fish are actually a killifish, and my golden wonder killies seemed to more than get along with any livebearers in the tank with them - they actually seemed to make friends with the swordtails and the platy that was in there for a while, so it should be a good mix. I'm not 100% sure about the ADF, but since the flag fish are mostly herbivorous it shouldn't pick at it trying to eat it and I doubt he would see it as a threat to his territory since it doesn't look anything like him.
 
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