Dark cure against algae: How to get rid of blue-green algae

How do I run them dark cure against Algae through? And what algae can I use it with remove and fight? A dark cure is a special procedure with which one tries to get certain types of algae under control and to combat or reduce them. There is one in this article Step by step instructions how to get the dark cure applies.

 

Instructions dark cure aquarium

What is a dark cure?

Of course, not everyone will be able to imagine something under the dark cure. Basically it's about that deprivation of light over several days and thus the inhibition of photosynthesis. This causes algae to retreat and no longer be able to spread. Of course, this also affects the fish in the aquarium. How to apply the dark cure exactly, you will learn in another chapter.

 

Which processes in the aquarium are inhibited by carrying out a dark cure?

Before you think about a dark cure, you should also know which connections are inhibited here and what ultimately the Sense and purpose of the dark cure is. The dark cure withdraws the light for several days. Light is needed primarily by plants. Without light, there is no photosynthesis and therefore no growth. That's why the Lighting in an aquarium very important. However, algae also need light to grow. So if you cut off the light, algae will also have problems growing. Of course you have to strike a balance between the growth of the plants and the growth of the algae. This is often a fine line to walk. It is generally true that a well-planted aquarium suppresses the algae, since all the nutrients are used up by the aquatic plants.

Identify algae species correctly

The first step before even thinking about doing a dark cure is to determine what it is currently Type of algae in the aquarium. We already have one for that Article posted with lots of pictures, which also helps to identify the algae correctly. Before you can do the dark cure, you have to know if it is green algae, blue-green algae, red algae or diatoms concerns.

 

Green algae and blue-green algae promise success

You have the best chance of success with the Control of blue-green algae. These are not only quite easy to recognize, but can also be combated by removing the light. Also with green algae one has very good successes with the dark cure. But here are not all subspecies like Filamentous algae, brush algae, floating algae (chlorophyta), hair algae, lint algae, fur algae, spot algae and dust algae to fight. Filamentous algae, for example, will be difficult to combat with a dark cure, although spotted algae are very easy to combat. The group of red algae such as beard algae or brush algae can hardly be combated with a dark cure.

If you have any specific questions, please do not hesitate to contact us. Please use the email address kontakt (@) aquaristik.org. We help identify the algae. It's best to send a picture right away.

 

Preparatory measures for a dark cure

Before you do the dark cure, there are a few things to consider. First of all, you should know exactly what your trimmings are and how sensitive they are ornamental fish react to a deprivation of lighting, light and brightness. We recommend that you take a close look at our profile section. There are also many specialist forums that describe the requirements in detail. Basically, aquarium fish are quite insensitive to withdrawal.

 

Notice: Ornamental fish usually have no problem with the deprivation of light

 

If you think back to the chapter with the meaning and purpose of a dark cure and consider what happened to the Aquatic plants happens, because you will also be able to identify a problem that could come to the ornamental fish. If you inhibit photosynthesis, then there will also be less oxygen production. Fish need oxygen in dissolved form. So if you do a dark cure, this could become a problem. We therefore recommend carrying out suitable compensatory measures. This can be the use of a diaphragm pump. So you get a higher one proportion of oxygen. You have to decide for yourself whether it is sufficient to mount the filter outlet a little differently.

 

Also to feeding the fish we have to go back a bit. It is best not to feed the fish at all during the period of darkness. As a rule, this is not a problem. Of course not in a breeding aquarium or a tank with many young animals. This will not be possible there. Otherwise, fish can sometimes go a few days without food. Who now thinks he has to feed the fish extensively before the dark cure starts, unfortunately you have to contradict that. Pre-feeding fish is usually useless. Therefore you should not change anything in the feeding methods and rituals.

The water change must also be included in the preparatory measures, because this is very important in order to provide new nutrients and to remove pollutants from the aquarium. Therefore one should before carrying out a dark cure Water change do with around 50 percent.

 

You should remove the algae, which you can easily remove mechanically, from the tank as best you can. Many types can be removed quite easily with the help of certain objects such as a fork or even a window cleaner. You should definitely do this in advance.

 

Let's recap briefly:

 

  • Obtain information about the ornamental fish
  • Provide sufficient oxygen
  • Use membrane pump
  • Feed fish normally
  • perform a water change
  • Remove algae mechanically

 

How long should a dark cure last?

It's difficult to express this question in days, since ultimately it also depends on the population of the algae. Is there a lot of algae in the aquarium or just a few? The type of algae is also important here. But you should definitely hold out for 4-5 days. There's nothing below that. Of course you can extend this to 10 days or even 14 days. But then of course it has to be fed. It is also advisable to carry out a water change in the middle.

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The step-by-step implementation of the dark cure

Now we come to the most important steps of the implementation.

 

Step 1: Prepare the aquarium accordingly

As already described above, you should prepare everything. Ensure oxygen supply. Feed the fish again. perform a water change.

 

Step 2: Thoroughly remove algae again mechanically

 

Step 3: Darken the aquarium

We have to go a little more closely here, because you can read again and again that aquarists only leave the light out for several days. This alone is not enough. Too much sunlight or daylight would still come into the aquarium, so that an inhibition cannot take place. So everything should be blacked out. Either you think of the aquarium completely or you stick the panes with an appropriate foil.

 

Step 4: Carry out short checks again and again

You should take a quick look into the aquarium every 2-4 days. Mainly to determine whether all devices are still running and whether the ornamental fish are doing well.

 

Step 5: Change the water for a longer dark cure

If you want or have to carry out the dark cure a little longer, you should do a water change halfway through. This not only serves to break down the pollutants, but also to get the necessary substances for plants and fish back into the tank.

 

Step 6: Feed fish only in exceptional cases

If you take a long dark cure, you should possibly also feed the fish. However, we would only recommend doing this after about 5 days. The fish should be able to handle anything below that.

 

Step 7: After the dark cure

When the darkening period is over, the water values ​​are checked and the plants regenerate. First of all, an extensive water change should be carried out here, we recommend up to 80 liters of water. You should also omit fertilizing in the first few days after the cure. Fish should only be fed sparingly so as not to immediately cause an oversupply of dangerous substances.

 

Of course, a dark cure will not always bring the desired success. However, the chances of success are very good with the algae mentioned above. But it's also important to think about how things could get there in the first place. According to the algae prevent is usually the best route to a permanent one algae-free aquarium. There are a number of measures such as feeding little and little, fast growing plants, optimal lighting and much more, just to name a few things.

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