Halide Ballast blew today

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courterbobby

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Well last night, my hob skimmer went crazy... A part I had on it with a rubber band restricting the flow (stupid idea i know, but lasted for about a month) came off. Well that bumped up the bubble level higher than it should have been and it started a slow drip onto one of my halide ballasts. I woke up to find half my tank dark. I have it sitting away from the tank unplugged hoping it will fire again when it gets dried out, but I am not hopeful. Has anyone else had this happen before and did you recover from it, or should I go ahead and purchase another ballast? I am leaving for vacation in two days, so I have to get the problem solved, can't leave the corals on half my tank in the dark for 10 days..
 
you gotta get the salt water off its so bad on electronics, wipe off what you can with ro water or fresh water. Good luck
 
I wonder if you rinsed it with fresh water and did the ole bag of rice trick if it would work. I've dropped a few cell phones all the way in some water, took them apart and stuck them in a bag of white for a couple of days and they worked fine. But salt mixed with water amplifys the conductivity of the water which is already a good conductor. Nod to mention it corrodes things very quickly.. Courter I have no idea if this would work.. But if no one chimes in thats been through this I wouldnt rule it out as an option to at least try
 
Chances are when the saltwater got inside, something arc'd and fried it.. You can try to rinse it in fresh water and let it dry, but I think you would be spinning tires..
 
Hi thanks guys for the replys.... I did rinse with fresh water and let it dry in front of a fan... when I plugged it in and turned it on, a puff of smoke shot out of the switch so I believe its done for. The label says "electronic hid ballast 250 watt", not sure of the brand, its black and came with the lighting system I bought off ebay.
So if someone has a cheap one I can buy off you or one anyone can loan me that can fire a 250 watt halide bulb for about 2 weeks I would greatly appreciate it.. Its just like things to go wrong two days before I am leaving....
 
courterbobby;553872 wrote: Hi thanks guys for the replys.... I did rinse with fresh water and let it dry in front of a fan... when I plugged it in and turned it on, a puff of smoke shot out of the switch so I believe its done for. The label says "electronic hid ballast 250 watt", not sure of the brand, its black and came with the lighting system I bought off ebay.
So if someone has a cheap one I can buy off you or one anyone can loan me that can fire a 250 watt halide bulb for about 2 weeks I would greatly appreciate it.. Its just like things to go wrong two days before I am leaving....
Click to expand...

Had my dual 250 ballast blow the morning OF vacaction. Quickly put some T5's over the tank to get through a week. Got home, ordered not 1, not even 2 but 3 ARO 250w ballasts. Now I've got a spare for just such an emergency. Life lesson: it will always go wrong when you don't want nor need it to.
 
porpoiseaquatics;553874 wrote: Had my dual 250 ballast blow the morning OF vacaction. Quickly put some T5's over the tank to get through a week. Got home, ordered not 1, not even 2 but 3 ARO 250w ballasts. Now I've got a spare for just such an emergency. Life lesson: it will always go wrong when you don't want nor need it to.
Click to expand...

Great Idea! I am not a newbie been doing this for over a year, but there are a lot of things I am still learning and a lot of things I am just not prepared for, like this...
 
Smallblock;553688 wrote: But salt mixed with water amplifys the conductivity of the water which is already a good conductor.
Click to expand...


Actually water is a horrible conductor - only the adding of minerals such as salt makes it good...
 
LilRobb;553880 wrote: Actually water is a horrible conductor - only the adding of minerals such as salt makes it good...
Click to expand...

I found that our the hard way as well lol .... fire likes microfiber sofas...:doh:

I do have a pc lighting system I can throw over it while I am gone if I cannot find a ballast before tomorrow. Will a 65 watt keep them alive till I get back? It is one 10000k 65watt bulb and one actinic 65 watt bulb. all softies and a leather right at the top, along with one plate coral.... now this only has to last 10 days....
 
I've got a 250w coralvue electronic ballast that you are welcome to use and or buy. It's up to you. It's of no use to me. Let me know.
 
LilRobb;553880 wrote: Actually water is a horrible conductor - only the adding of minerals such as salt makes it good...
Click to expand...



Is it classified as a conductor or semi conductor?
 
http://www.rare-earth-magnets.com/t-conductors-and-insulators.aspx">http://www.rare-earth-magnets.com/t-conductors-and-insulators.aspx</a>

Here you go
 
I should also point out that pure water is an insulator because it has no charged ions, impure water (like saltwater and tap water) is a conductor because of the minerals found in the water.
 
wierd well its a crappy insulator, thnks for the link sorry op for getting sidetrack, Robb, hasselhoff has graced you with all his knowledge
 
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