How Long without Light over Tank?

[Jimmy G]

Its been 2 days without a light over my tank. Tomorrow I need to order a part for my Aqua Spacelight which I hope to get by Tuesday or Wednesday.

Any of you go a few days with no lights? Suffer any detrimental effects?

Its an 8 year old 125 Loaded with Sps, LPS and some Zoos and Ricordea.Lighting was 3x250W MH

 

[Anonymous]

We have gone a few days here and there without lights over our reef tanks\
for various reasons, usually repair issues.

This sounds like it will be about 5 days total? That is longer than I would prefer, and you might see some dulling of your sps colors, but I think everything will "come through" otherwise just fine.

The one thing I worry about are anemones "traveling" to find the light they lost.

 

[Anonymous]

Oh, and if this is a strong MH you are fixing, you will probably want to go back to a short photo period at first, like 4 hours, and add an hour everyday. Some folks think I am overcautious about that, but I say it never hurts to acclimate things back to strong lighting and may save you from bleaching.

 

[Anonymous]

I've gone 3-4 days with no problems before.

 

[Jimmy G]

Yeah, looks like its going to be about 5 days total. Not much I can do about it. Thanks for the replies.