Blown Lighting

[AndynSarah]

Hey guys I blew out one of my PC fixtures the other day. I was trying to get the collection cup off of my skimmer and bumped the hood I have and it fell in the tank. The hood I have was one I had built for my 20 gallon so it isn't the right size for the 29. I have plans for a new hood for the 29 once I get my sump up and going. I tried letting it dry out and I am getting smoke every time I plug it in. The corals I have right now are zoas, leather, star polyps, and a green torch, and the only light I have over them is a flourescent from my 55 freshwater tank. Can they survive under those lights? How long? Where can I get a new end cap for my straight 4 pin [. . . .] PC's? Or does anyone have anythign they wanna sell that would be good over a 29.
Thanks,
Andy:eek2:

 

[ReefRacer]

clean the parts that were exposed to saltwater with distilled water and blow out with compressed air. If no air is available use rubbing alcohol to evap the distilled water.

 

[AndynSarah]

washed the end cap with tap water and let it dry out and still had fire and smoke. Trying to descide on truing to clean again or look for new lighting
Andy

 

[Runner]

Where is the fire/smoke coming from? The ballast or the end-caps?

 

[Angela Short]

marine depot has a 65 watt pc retro Smartlight with reflecter and bulb for 29.99. I have 3 of thease exact deals over my 80 for actinic and have been very pleased with them for the money if you want to build a cheapo hood that fits. Then theres always the orbits for a pretty decent cheap fixture with leggs.

 

[fishdoc11]

I was real happy with this setup over my 29:
http://www.hellolights.com/2laaromo4lvb.html
You also have the ability to upgrade to 4 bulbs with this ballast. All you need is a new harness.......if you wanted to turn the 55 into a reef for example.
You could also do the cheaper $35 ballast plus the bulbs for < $100.
Chris

 

[AndynSarah]

the fire and smoke from the end cap. The end cap and the bulb were the only things other than the wood that got in the water.
Andy

 

[AndynSarah]

how hard/ expensive would a DIY hood for a 29 cost to make? I really wanna make a hood like you have on your tank fishdoc.
Andy

 

[fishdoc11]

Let's see.....without a 29 here to measure and a "tad" of brew in the system...approx 114" of 1 x 12, approx 108" of 1 x 4 ...all pine plus whatever hardware you want and stain plus spar polyurethane. I'm guessing ~ $100 maybe more. If you want to do "fancy" doors like I did you will need a little more complicated tools and a little more $. One thing I have learned is that it will probably cost more than you think it will
Chris

 

[Runner]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7717962#post7717962 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by AndynSarah
the fire and smoke from the end cap. The end cap and the bulb were the only things other than the wood that got in the water.
Andy

You may be able to buy a replacement end-cap. Home Depot probably won't have it, but Stokes would (or could get the right one) if it isn't a specialty aquarium end cap. I would remove the one you have from the fixture and take it to them for positive ID if you decide to do this.

The only other thing I can think of is perhaps the lamp is messed up from being shorted out and causing the problem. Or both the lamp and the end cap...

 

[ReefRacer]

I have a 48" smartlight in good condition with new Actinic 03 bulbs I will sell for $60.
The bulbs were at least $20 a piece and have almost zero hours on them. They didn't have the look I wanted along with my halides, and I don't really have room for the fixture.
Mike

 

[AndynSarah]

going to go to Aquarium today and see if they have any replacement end caps. Racer if not we may take you up on you fixture. How hard/easy would it be to hang it from the ceiling? How heavy is it?
Andy