Light died, need help

Tmm87 · Aug 15, 2017

Woke up to a dead t5 fixture this morning. Things buzz but won't turn on.

I have a smaller 36" fixture over it for now but that won't work for long.

Tank is a 120 gal 4 x 2 x 2. Need recommendations for an inexpensive fixture that will hold me over until I can afford a better one. Don't care if it's t5 or led. Hoping to come in under $200. Have softies, a couple LOS and two anemones in the tank.

I was looking at a 4 bulb Odyssea fixture on ebay but couldn't find much info on it.

ebushrow · Aug 15, 2017

Where are you located I have a 6 bulb t5 you could use if you are close

Tmm87 · Aug 15, 2017

ebushrow said:
Where are you located I have a 6 bulb t5 you could use if you are close

I live in Newbury, NH. Western side of the state.

saltyfilmfolks · Aug 15, 2017

Yes the Odyssea is fine. Just use the old tubes. Probably easier than a 300w 30in Chinese mars aqua led. Also in your price range.

ebushrow · Aug 15, 2017

Tmm87 said:
I live in Newbury, NH. Western side of the state.

Yeah, I'm in Michigan so that would be a long drive....sorry I can't help....I did buy a similar t5 from ebay for 100.00 if it helps.

trevormass7 · Aug 15, 2017

2 mars aqua black box, they're like 80 dollars each. I'll buy them off you after you upgrade too

Tmm87 · Aug 15, 2017

trevormass7 said:
2 mars aqua black box, they're like 80 dollars each. I'll buy them off you after you upgrade too

I'll take a look and let you know.

mcarroll · Aug 15, 2017

I don't understand....diagnosing and fixing the issue is not possible?

If that's the case, then I'd be looking hard at switching to LED's.

What @saltyfilmfolks recommended would be fine! There are lots of great options! (All of which are much cheaper to run than a T5 system too.)

Tmm87 · Aug 15, 2017

mcarroll said:
I don't understand....diagnosing and fixing the issue is not possible?

If that's the case, then I'd be looking hard at switching to LED's.

What @saltyfilmfolks recommended would be fine! There are lots of great options! (All of which are much cheaper to run than a T5 system too.)

I've pulled it apart and don't see anything wrong with it other than a little moisture. Letting it sit open to dry tonight and will try it tomorrow. Still planning on getting something else in the meantime just in case. Appreciate the feedback.

mcarroll · Aug 15, 2017

Tmm87 said:
don't see anything wrong with it other than a little moisture.

You know what they say about electricity and moisture – GREAT COMBINATION NO PROBLEM!!

Do you know how the water got in there? Did just the fixture get wet or the ballasts too? (Are the ballasts in the fixture or on the wire?)

Tmm87 · Aug 15, 2017

mcarroll said:
You know what they say about electricity and moisture – GREAT COMBINATION NO PROBLEM!!

Do you know how the water got in there? Did just the fixture get wet or the ballasts too? (Are the ballasts in the fixture or on the wire?)

They're attached to the reflector. There was moisture inside the whole unit. No idea how it got in there as there's a glass top that is between the water and the fixture. There's a gap on the side that has the control panel (about an inch or so) where there are exposed wires. Nothing seems to be broken.

Kershaw · Aug 15, 2017

Probably a failed balest. Can you post pictures of it open. You may be able to get a ballast for cheap.

mcarroll · Aug 16, 2017

Tmm87 said:
They're attached to the reflector. There was moisture inside the whole unit. No idea how it got in there as there's a glass top that is between the water and the fixture. There's a gap on the side that has the control panel (about an inch or so) where there are exposed wires. Nothing seems to be broken.

So maybe condensation? Is there a cold-air duct blowing on the fixture by any chance?

I would have a hard time putting that fixture back into service with an unsolved mystery hanging over it like that – it's too weird and too likely to cause a fire.

Tmm87 · Aug 16, 2017

mcarroll said:
So maybe condensation? Is there a cold-air duct blowing on the fixture by any chance?

I would have a hard time putting that fixture back into service with an unsolved mystery hanging over it like that – it's too weird and too likely to cause a fire.

No cold air duct directly on the light or tank (house has central air and the vents are in the wall at floor level), but the tanks are in the basement of my house. It stays fairly cool down here even with no AC running. Decided to pick up the Odyssea fixture since it's only $120 and run that until I can save up for a better one. Torn on going either MH/T5 or picking up an ATI or Geissmann fixture once I have the money. The ones I've been looking at are all roughly the same price.

uclaray · Aug 16, 2017

Kershaw said:
Probably a failed balest. Can you post pictures of it open. You may be able to get a ballast for cheap.

+1

Tmm87 · Aug 16, 2017

Kershaw said:
Probably a failed balest. Can you post pictures of it open. You may be able to get a ballast for cheap.

I'll see if I can get some pictures when I get home from work.

mcarroll · Aug 16, 2017

Tmm87 said:
No cold air duct directly on the light or tank (house has central air and the vents are in the wall at floor level), but the tanks are in the basement of my house. It stays fairly cool down here even with no AC running. Decided to pick up the Odyssea fixture since it's only $120 and run that until I can save up for a better one. Torn on going either MH/T5 or picking up an ATI or Geissmann fixture once I have the money. The ones I've been looking at are all roughly the same price.

You gotta consider water dripping from up high somewhere – maybe running down the suspension cables (assuming you suspended the light from the ceiling).

Water doesn't come from nowhere oviously

and it'll do the same thing to the next light, if it happens again or keeps happening.

A mystery worth solving, if at all possible!

Tmm87 · Aug 19, 2017

Finally got around to pulling it apart. Ballasts were fine. It was the inverter that ran the fans and controller that died.. No salt creep or corrosion on anything inside except for a plug on one of the moonlight LEDs. Unsure if the control board is no good as well, but was able to bypass that and hook the ballasts and fans up to the plug directly so they come on and turn off via an analog timer. While I was in there I hooked the LEDs up to a separate plug so that those would work as well.

Tmm87 · Aug 19, 2017

Thanks everyone for the replies. Tank is back to looking nice and my corals and nems are happy again.

Little bonus (doubt it's related): While my big light wasn't working my two clowns decided it was a good time to start hosting in my sebae.