How long will the tank be OK without lights?

[dooleyb]

My Dual MH 250w HQI ballast bit the dust yesterday afternoon. The tank (120g) does have 4 54w t5's that I can continue to run until I get the HQI ballast replaced. I hope to get a replacement on Thursday. Will the tank be ok until then? The inhabitants includes a 10" Derasa.

Thanks for your prompt reply.

 

[ade]

I would take a guess that your tank should be fine until thursday with just the T5's.

 

[mike68]

the clam will be fine i have 6 of them under 5 54watt t-5s. i don't if your bulbs are actenics or not but i have some used daylight bulbs if you need them.

 

[manderx]

before you toss the old one, let's rip it open and have a look about repairing it. i had a bw7 die and it turned out it was just a loose wire inside. especially if both ballasts died at the same time.

 

[J. Montgomery]

Some people here on RC regularly turn off their lights for 2-3 days every month on purpose. They rave about the results. You should be fine for a few days, but I agree with the above sentiment that some light would probably be better than no light.

 

[dooleyb]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13543236#post13543236 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by manderx
before you toss the old one, let's rip it open and have a look about repairing it. i had a bw7 die and it turned out it was just a loose wire inside. especially if both ballasts died at the same time.

Matt. The ballast is still under warranty. I purchased it from PremiumAquatics. I have a call into them to see if I can get them to ship me a new one while I ship this one back.

 

[Sk8r]

I do lights-out fairly often (every few months) and have a clam, sps, lps, and fish. Go ahead and feed your fish on schedule: they'll wake up, eat, then go back to sleep. Hurricanes and other major storms bring days of dark to the natural reef.

 

[surfnvb7]

when i moved to c-ville, all my sps went in a big 30g plastic tub that sat in bath tub for a week, with only a PC light over top. everything was fine, just go easy on blasting them when you get the MH's back up and running or they might bleach.

 

[dooleyb]

Thanks everyone for their response. Talked to Premium Aquatics and they are out of stock on the one I need so they are having Sunlight Supply drop ship one to me. Hopefully I'll have a replacement by Friday.

Kudos to Premium Aquatics's customer service.

 

[Roll221]

Did you get your ballast? How is everything? I agree, kudos for Premium Aqatics, sounds like they did right by you.

Ed

 

[dooleyb]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13579556#post13579556 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Roll221
Did you get your ballast? How is everything? I agree, kudos for Premium Aqatics, sounds like they did right by you.

Ed

I received the replacement ballast this past Friday. Everything seems to have come through very well. Haven't noticed any ill affects. I'm working on getting the tank back on a regular lighting schedule.

Thanks for your inquiry and a special thanks for serving our country. Hope you are enjoying Hawaii.

Bill

 

[Roll221]

Thanks Bill, it is appreciated when the troops hear a heart felt thank you.

I have been browsing your forum as I will be retiring in Feb. and will most likely end up in your neck of the woods. I have actually already applied for two positions out there.

Glad to hear everything turn out ok with your lights.

Ed

 

[pprmntshrmps]

Roll221. Are you in the 25th? If so, did you go to Afghanistan with them in 04-05?

 

[Roll221]

No, I am in a joint communication agency on Wheeler AAF.

 

[pprmntshrmps]

K, just wondering. I was attached to them when they went.