Lights out - Coral Health

[RaymondL]

I'm trying to learn as much as I make my way through reefing, and one question that I have is addressing the scenario when the power goes out for a certain length in time, what is the impact on the corals - understanding that they are photosynthetic and need light. I heard about blacking out aquariums to control/get rid of algae, so I'm wondering then if corals can really be without light for a few days?

I have a back up battery supply, and I have the light hooked up to it, but I am thinking that I should not and save the power more for the pump and wavemakers.

Thoughts?

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

They can live without light for a few days, but not without oxygen or flow. You should have a battery powered air pump (and air stone) in case the power goes out. Would be good to find a battery powered pump too, but if not, sometimes you got to move the water around with a large ladle or sometime. Flow and oxygen must always be provided (the flow brings the oxygen to the coral), without these 2 things the coral will die quickly.

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

Agree with above...while it's very true a prolonged blackout would cause it to bleach, that would take a lot longer than a few days but there are other things to worry about like those listed above.

 

[Alexraptor]

It's also important to keep an eye on PH.

I recently did a blackout to get out-of-control dino's under control in a tank, and while it worked I lost my millepora frag to STN and had to frag my tenuis, due to the PH swing. Thankfully my Efflo and Monti's are ok.