Lights out. How long can my corals last while I fix them?

glb · Jul 3, 2015

I lost my led power source today after it got soused with saltwater (long story in another post). I need to order a new one. In the meantime, will my corals be able to do without light for a week? I have Zoas, mushrooms, panope birdsnest and acans. They get some natural light but not much. Help!!!!

Rob.D · Jul 3, 2015

A week is a long time, I think the softies and LPS will be fine...the Ponape might loose some color.

Reefing Madness · Jul 3, 2015

Yea, after a week, they will start to get ticked off. But shouldn't kill anything, yet.

glb · Jul 3, 2015

Cool. I may just order a new power supply to be sure. They're only $30. I could run the one I have once it dries but only if I can watch it. I've never been so freaked out about electricity.

glb · Jul 5, 2015

Update. I ordered a new power supply and it should be here by Wednesday. So that's 5 days without lights. I'll just have to wait and see.

Reefing Madness · Jul 5, 2015

Should be fine. Remember that we advise using a 3day total black out for algae, 2 more days will not kill anything.

glb · Jul 5, 2015

Reefing Madness said:
Should be fine. Remember that we advise using a 3day total black out for algae, 2 more days will not kill anything.

Thanks! So far they look ok. I have a fluorescent light over my FW tank. Would it help to put that over the SW tank so there's at least some light?

Reefing Madness · Jul 5, 2015

Na, the flourescent light will grow more algae than help the corals. Sunlight would help.

Mattrg02 · Jul 5, 2015

glb said:
Thanks! So far they look ok. I have a fluorescent light over my FW tank. Would it help to put that over the SW tank so there's at least some light?

Seems like that would only feed nuisance algae.

Breakthecycle2 · Jul 5, 2015

Or you can do what I did when that happened once. I bought a cheap LED fixture from a store, used it carefully until the power supply came and then returned. Honest?Probably not, but I did what I thought I had to do.

glb · Jul 8, 2015

Lights on!!! Great shipping from Steve's leds and I'm back in business. The coral colors are a little off but they look like they did fine without lights.