SOB is this often?

[ronald.vaughn]

As the title says I really want to curse but know it's not proper. To explain my morning and wondering what people have to say about this. Woke up early and checked the tank to make sure the VHO's were kicking on. No problem! Then my wife thinks she smells gas and calls the gas company. They checked our stove and then wanted to go to the basement to check it out. While escorting him past the tank noticed water on the floor. I started to look for a fish, and after seeing none looked up to notice the bulb from the Halide was not on but the glass exploded. I've never heard of the safety glass exploding unless it was wet or extra greasy from hands, but highly doubt that was the case. I shut the ballast off being how the gas guy was doing his thing, but plan on replacing the bulb when he's done.

What does everyone think? The bulb goes dead and the cover glass blows. I'll keep checking periodically today to see what everyone has to say and let the group know what shap the ballast and bulbs in.

 

[Jeff Trout]

I know someone that had a bulb explode over his frag tank I know he lost everything in the frag tank but he thinks it was UV exposure because his bulb stayed burning for 8hrs w/out the glass.

 

[ZOAKEEPER]

Do you have eggcrate or mesh over the top of the tank? I've heard a few times of a fish jumping and hitting a bulb. Cool water, fish, broken bulb. how'd ya make out with the gas smell? No leaks I hope.

 

[ronald.vaughn]

The update goes like this. There was a gas leak so now I'm sure the wife will be greatfull that our little girl won't be exposed to the gas. Lucky it was only in the pipe from the basement to the stove so we can still have hot showers and heat in the house.

As for the reason the glass blew I'd have to say because of molten metal. I have the DE Aquamedic 250 and when I pulled it down and could look into it and pull the bulb that the metal end of the bulb had fused with the fixture. The pendant is no good. Does anyone know if Aquamedic will replace this? I would assume the ballast is still good.

On that note I'm going to start another thread to see if anyone out there has a 175 or 250 I can borrow until I can get this resolved.

 

[serpentman]

I have had bulbs explode. The most common cause is a splash from a fish. Not sure, but I would take pictures and document what happened and see if they will replace or offer a deep discount on a replacement.