metal halide problem please help

[pufferguy83]

I have the oddysea 150 watt de halide with electronic ballast and 2 14 watt t-5. I got this fixture to save money. The fixture has worked for over 2 months with no problems. Today I switched to the pheonix 14k 150w bulb and when the power came on I heard 2 loud pops before I could unplug It. THE BULB NEVER FIRED. THE POPS WERE INSTANT AFTER POWER CAME ON and it smelled bad. I dont know if I have to buy a new ballast or if there is a fuse i can replace i opened it but am a little unsure of what i should do. I am considering switching to 96 watts of t-5 but not sure if that is going to keep my acropora and brian coral I also have a large zoanthid collony and small green star polyp frag this is a 20 gallon tall. The other option than t-5 is just replacing the ballast, should I buy the same ballast as before and use the old bulb(it worked well enough), or invest in a better ballast that will fire the pheonix bulb(any suggestions would be great) or should I go 4x24 t-5

 

[nycdominicanreef]

Oddysea is hit or miss, u probably have to get a brand new fixture. but if its only two months see if theres a warranty or something. but i doubt it. how long is the tank?

 

[JimmyR1rider]

Did it smell like a metallic burnt smell? and stank horribly? If it stank that was the ballast- you probably blew it they reek when they go.

 

[mcnuggget]

i think Odyssey has been getting a lot of complaints like these. thus reason y is cheap.

 

[pufferguy83]

yea thats the smell. My thought is that if it worked all this time then i changed the bulb and it poped could it be the bulb was in wrong or would it more likely be that the ballast could not fire the bulb and just blew trying. i would hate to buy the same ballast and blow it again. thanks for all your help any sugestions on good ballast brand or if the 96 watts of t-5 would be enough light. the tank is 24'' long 16 tall 12 deep.

 

[ryangrieder]

yeah i own several light structures from the same brand. usually brand new from there site they are good for a solid few years. ive NEVER had issues with them except the stock bulbs suck. buddy has the same light structure as yours. its that small one right? with the adjustible legs or whatever? one simple thing is retarted by the company that could have happened is that that structure does not have a fan right? you have to put that clip on fan i believe on the top sold seprate. did you buy that as well with it? if not you could have run that and fried it.

 

[JimmyR1rider]

I have heard that certain bulbs have not been compatible with certain ballasts, being the difference between magnetic and electronic ballasts. That smell is definately your ballast being no good no more. Ask who you got the pheonixs from if theyre compatible with the ballasts you have.

As Kathy states unplug it and call it a day with that fixture.

 

[KathyC]

I'd switch to the T5, it would be fine for the corals you have in your tank.

We're read too many stories about those Odyssey fixtures having issues. As mentioned contact the manufacturer if you bought it new, get it repaired and sell it.

In the meantime - please unplug it.

 

[pufferguy83]

it has a fan mounted on the top to pull the heat out it works ok. I will check with the company i got the bulb from to see if theyre compatible.

 

[UnknownWaters]

did you try putting back the old bulb to see if that bulb works?

 

[pufferguy83]

UPDATE. The problem was the oddysea fixture. There is a hole in the reflector for the wire from the socket to run through it was left very sharp and with the fans vibration it had cut a hole in the wire.This caused the falure I am sure the ballast will fire the pheonix bulb. Also the plug for the halides coming off the fixture is wired funny, they split one of the power wires to make a ground. so if you cut the cord on the fixture you will see only 2 wires inside and its a 3 prong plug.

 

[Killerdrgn]

Fire hazard!!!