Darkness acceptable for how long?

[Europhyllia]

I have a really nice T5 fixture with 4 bulbs. It's 6ft long and for the 6 months I've had it it has actually worked really well for my Softies and LPS corals.
Now I am getting more interested in clams and SPS and it's been bugging me that I only had 4 bulbs so I just ordered a 6 bulb fixture (ATI 6x80W Sunpower)
I also listed the fixture here and on Ebay and I just got an offer for it. It would be nice to immediately recoup some of the money I spent on the new fixture but the person buying is from Houston and would probably come get it this weekend. My new fixture won't be here until Tuesday though.
So no light at all for a few days. How bad is that going to be for my tank?

And how difficult is it to ceiling mount an ATI Sunpower. Do I need to get some kind of track (I am guessing my studs in the ceiling won't coincide with where I want the light)

[AustinReefClub]

A few days without light shouldn't be an issue, just think of it as a hurricane or storm blowing over corals at sea. I routinely do 3 days of darkness when I have cyano outbreaks and there's no issue.

[joelb]

im not sure the weight of the fixture and the mounting process but i have 2 X 150 watt giesemann mh lights that you can borrow until you get your bad ***** fixture in. maybe if you place your better corals right under them it'll be enough light for now. the only stipulation is that you would have to do the traveling because i live on the other side of this great big city :) their plug and play and the bulbs are 20k XM DE. let me know and i'll pm my address. im in selma tx

[CoryDude]

Had a fixture short out one time and my tank (mostly sps) went 3 days w/o lighting. You'll want to adjust the photo period for the first few days when adding tht new fixture, to break it in.

Using a track parallel to the tank would work well so he can hit a stud or two w/screws. HD has shelving track back near the blinds and closet stuff.

[Rychek]

Your corals will be fine without light for a few days. My corals (mostly zoas/palys w/ a few SPS) went without light for nearly three days while I was moving my tank two weekends ago.

Very nice fixture BTW!

[mabel_photo6]

OK! This helps me a lot but not because I don't have lights or I ordered lights BUT because I've been having a green hair algae problem. I've been told to have a black out for 2 or 3 days. I've been scared to because of my coral.

I have softies so they should be okay since I read your corals do okay.
I have zoas, green star polyps, finger leather, cabbage leather, kenya tree, green hairy mushrooms, hammer coral, and torch coral.

[Gseclipse02]

when mounting the lights be sure to throw a blanket over the tank so junk doesn't fall inside of it

and be sure to mount in the center my lights are off by about an inch or 2 and it annoys me like crazy but I'm to lazy to fix it

[Europhyllia]

when mounting the lights be sure to throw a blanket over the tank so junk doesn't fall inside of it


Oh that's a great point!!

[Europhyllia]

i have 2 X 150 watt giesemann mh lights that you can borrow until you get your bad ***** fixture in.

Wow. That's super nice of you! Thanks. I am hoping I won't have to take you up on it but if any unforeseen delays come up it's wonderful to know I could have your loaner :)

[Europhyllia]

Wow Eclipse I am so glad you suggested covering the tank. I put a sheet on it while we mounted the board that will hold the fixture and even though we had pre-drilled it there was still plenty of stuff from the ceiling falling down.

The freight company just called. They're bring my new ATI fixture. And my buyer agreed to pick up my old one Friday so it won't be dark. :)
So who wants to come over and watch my kids so I can swap bulbs and put up my new light?

[snfkotara]

Karin

If you need lights I have a 4 bulb fixture you can borrow as well

[snfkotara]

Karin if you need help Ill come help

[Europhyllia]

Thanks Sherry! I made it :)

Luckily the kids are small enough to still take a nap - that's when I get stuff done.

Before:
http://www.dominopads.com/926_10.jpg

After:
http://www.dominopads.com/ati.jpg

It's not really that blue and it's actually quite bright. Not sure why both pictures look so dark.

[Crazyeyes]

It all depends on the lens of the camera point and shot cameras pick up the blue spectrum easier then the white for some reason. You tank looks stunning now hopefully this helps with your growth.

[txav8r]

There is a "white balance" setting on most cameras that will fix some of that. Don't ask me how to set it though.