how long can corals go without light

Thunil · 02/04/2007, 12:26 AM

I have to move my tank because we are tiling the room that my tank is in. the problem is that my lights are suspended from the ceiling and although we can move the lights it might be a couple of days before we can. so how long can corals live without lights?

jdieck · 02/04/2007, 12:36 AM

I would say based on the time they are in transport when imported 4 to 5 days.
In any case you might be able to rent some of those worksite high intensity lights and light the corals up with them temporarely.

antonsemrad · 02/04/2007, 12:42 AM

That will depend on how much they have been eating. And how much they get to eat in the dark.

I had an issue with one of my reflectors, and some corals lived without light for three weeks.

They were clearly stressed however, and water peramitors did not change, like it would in a move.

Answers will very, and results will very depending on the energy budget of the coral.

But, corals can live for weeks without light.

chevegan · 02/04/2007, 01:58 AM

Well I placed a tank by a window with all the corals facing up toward the sun for 2 days until the main tank was moved. They all did great.

02/04/2007, 12:26 AM	#1
Thunil Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Adelaide, Australia Posts: 257	how long can corals go without light I have to move my tank because we are tiling the room that my tank is in. the problem is that my lights are suspended from the ceiling and although we can move the lights it might be a couple of days before we can. so how long can corals live without lights?

02/04/2007, 12:36 AM	#2
jdieck Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Maumee, OH Posts: 15,673	I would say based on the time they are in transport when imported 4 to 5 days. In any case you might be able to rent some of those worksite high intensity lights and light the corals up with them temporarely. __________________ Did I write what I wrote? What the heck am I talking about! Well..... Nevermind. Current Tank Info: 225 gal reef, DSB, 40 g sump w/ LRT100 return, 37 g pre-sump, 3 MH 250 W 15K, 4 96 W PC dual actinic,ETS 1500 Skim.w/LRT70, 20 lb Ca R., 40 W UV, 1/3 HP chiller, two 350 W Htrs, Neptune II Cont., 330 P LR/ 330 P LS. 55 gal Refugium

02/04/2007, 01:58 AM	#4
chevegan Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Colorado springs, co Posts: 1,614	Well I placed a tank by a window with all the corals facing up toward the sun for 2 days until the main tank was moved. They all did great. __________________ Everything is copasetic. Reefing on a budget Current Tank Info: Do it right the first time, save up, spend where it counts OR end up another craigslist ad of money lost.--------Why is this hobby so damn expensive??!-------

02/04/2007, 12:42 AM	#3
antonsemrad Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Little Chute WI Posts: 436	That will depend on how much they have been eating. And how much they get to eat in the dark. I had an issue with one of my reflectors, and some corals lived without light for three weeks. They were clearly stressed however, and water peramitors did not change, like it would in a move. Answers will very, and results will very depending on the energy budget of the coral. But, corals can live for weeks without light.