Basically only opened it up so I could check it out and make sure nothing had died etc. I turned the light on and gave them a small feed and covered it all up again about 2 hours later.

It's still covered now but I can tell the green is almost gone - I can see the fish at the back of the tank again. That is along with the water changes and very thorough gravel vaccs.

The plants look to have survived but then they may take a while to show their dislike of the dark.

It only occurred to me today that maybe our late winter afternoon sun is hitting the tank as well from the other side of the house (I'm milking then too so can't check it).

Many people are amused that we don't have curtains - no need, no houses around for kilometres so it will be odd if I put up curtains just for the fish tank :)