haedra

Is this working for any of you?

I ended up with some hair algae. Now I totally don't mind having some algae in the tank, but in a week this stuff was all over the place. While it easily comes off, it is still growing enough to make alot of work for me once a week.

I thought I would try keeping the tank light on for only four hours a shot. Like, maybe 9am-1pm, then off for 2 hours, then on from 3pm-7pm. Do you think this might help? Again, I don't mind a little algae. I just thought this might keep it growing slower.

Just curious!

alicem

I use the siesta method with my lighting. I think it helps.
I also feel there's a combination of things to do to help with algae control, tho.

For example:
Feed moderately,
I've read that if you use frozen food rinse it before feeding,
I don't feed flake food because I read it often contains more phosphates than other types, but flake contents can vary,
Do regular partial water changes,
Routinely clean the filter(s),
Routinely do substrate vacs,
Ocassionally move decor and vac under,
Keep nitrAtes under 20ppm (I like to keep them 10ppm or less),
Be aware of room lighting and direct, or even indirect, sunlight in the room,
I grow live low tech plants because I like them and hope they help, too.

Even after doing all this, I still have to scrape the glass and algae does grow on the rocks and decor in the tank.
I don't mind a little algae for a natural look and the BNs like it too.

This is what I do for my siesta timing, you should do what works for you:
Tank lights go on 6:45 am then off 11am, back on around 3pm and off about 9:15pm.
These times work for me because that's when it's convienient to feed twice a day (each time the lights come on) and I'm usually around home then to view the tanks and do partial water changes.
hth,

ER9

it seems to get mixed reviews. a few say it works but the majority it seems dont find it usefull. i didn't find it of any help but i never faithfully applied any type of experiment. algae can be controlled via light two ways. one....control the duration. usually 8 hours is recomended max duration. i use 7.5 pesonally or two by controlling intensity. usually done by raising the lights higher so they are not so intense. i think hair algae is linked to nutrients but i forget. it happens to be the one algae i have never had a problem with.