HELP! Light went out, dont know what to do!

[sandlot13]

ALrighty, so yesterday I came home to find my tank light off and the breaker to the room tripped. I got the pumps running again, but everytime I plugged the light back in (150W Metal Halide HOB Coralife) it shorted out the breaker again. There was also a very metallic smell coming from the ballast.

What do I do? Im feel like my light is shot, but I hope it isnt....... any suggestions?

I guess the real problem is, how long can my corals go without light and still be okay? If this isnt a quick fix, i might have to either sell all my livestock or have some place hold it for me.........

please help!

 

[mmkeeper]

Sounds like the ballast is going out. Think of the ocean, things can go a few days before any real issues. Do you have any back up light at all? Is the tank near a window?

 

[drummereef]

Your corals will be fine for a few days. There's a thread going around about leaving the lights off for 3 days to reduce nuisance algaes. No worries.

 

[sandlot13]

thats good to hear about the corals being okay for a bit....... any ideas what to do about the ballast? any place to get a cheap ballast for a 150W MH?

 

[porksoda]

Sorry about what happened. You might try to look into www.hellolights.com Good luck man hope you get it fixed.

 

[Scooterman]

Would just order a replacement ballast & replace as soon as you can but your tank should be ok with less light for a while.

 

[mmkeeper]

check Craigs list

 

[drummereef]

thats good to hear about the corals being okay for a bit....... any ideas what to do about the ballast? any place to get a cheap ballast for a 150W MH?

www.hellolights.com or www.premiumaquatics.com are both good places to find MH ballasts.

 

[Herefishyfishy]

Drain some water out and get some help, then move the tank in front of the window. Will hold them until ballast arrives.

 

[apollothesun]

hello lights are cheap, ship fast and they package their items well. might wanna try these guys
http://www.championlighting.com/home.php

 

[sandlot13]

wow, thanks for the great responses guys! im looking into getting a new ballast...... ill keep people posted.

in the mean time, i pulled out my old 96W PC lighting and have that over the tank...... its not enough lighting, but it will do for suppliment lighting for now