HELP! My T5 fixture just exploded over my tank

[jayuws]

I'm glad that I was home when it happened. As the actinic lights automatically turned on I saw a number of flashes, the sound of sizzling, and the smell of an electrical fire. I immediately hit my breaker and turned everything off and unpluged my lights. After checking I saw that the plastic cover was not closed all the way and salt must have curroded the socket. I tried the light without using the one socket but it sparked again when I pluged it in away from my tank. So long story short, my tank is dark until I can get a 36" T5 replacement. I'm hoping I can find one ASAP. How long can my corals and fish go without light? If anyone has a 36" light fixture that they don't need I'd love to take it off of your hands. I'll be spending the night looking for a replacement. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. I'm a little freaked out how close I came to coming home to an electrical fire. Would firefighters save our tanks if possible. We will need to make signs to put in our houses stating that "OUR BABIES ARE IN THIS ROOM". OK, Amien is kicking in so bed go I now. Bis Morgan, schlafts gut.

Jay

 

[KathyC]

Sorry about the light, but happy you were there at the time. The consequences are too awful to think about.

Put up a post in the 'Want to Buy' forum, usually someone has something around here in a pinch.

The fish will be fine and the corals (what kind do you keep?) will be fine for a few days until you can purchase a new one or borrow one in the meantime.

Not sure if you were serious about the fireman question...not a good idea. They will think they are looking for children (and I do empathize with your love for your tank...) but putting a fireman in a position of deadly danger for a fish tank when they think they are trying to find babies is a poor idea IMO..sorry for the rant but my son is a volunteer fire-fighter...

 

[Marteen]

It doesn't sound like the ballast went bad so you are in luck. Replace the caps and the burned bulbs and your fixture should light up again just fine. Be sure to inspect the wires while you are in there for any corrosion as well and replace as necessary. It will be a lot cheaper than buying a whole new fixture that's for sure. Just make sure you close it next time.

 

[jhart]

add your lights To a GFIC..

 

[Breakin Newz]

what brand fixture was this?

 

[mckostya]

scary! there is few t5 36' in for sale section. check it out.

 

[finksmart]

Yeah what brand

 

[jayuws]

It's the Sundial T-5 36" Canopy. Does anyone know where I can find the replacement parts in a hurry? I can't afford to replace the entire fixture. But I also can't let this happen again. I can only imagine what would have happened if I wasn't home at the time. If I didn't shut off the power supply, I'm possitive that there would have been a fire.

 

[Marteen]

Check your local LFS chances are if they sell bulbs they also sell caps and replacement parts. GL!

 

[autoponicz]

most LFS i been to dont have replacement t5 parts...i dunno...thats just me...
but contact the company and see if you still have a warantee...if not then look online for some parts...find somewhere thats near the east coast so shipping will be alot faster

 

[masterswimmer]

You avoided a catastrophy by the skin on your teeth. Fixing a fixture that almost caused a fire is not the way I would recommend going forward. See if you can borrow a fixture until you save enough to do the responsible, safe thing for you and your family, buy a new one.

JMO,
Russ

 

[jrobbins]

You avoided a catastrophy by the skin on your teeth. Fixing a fixture that almost caused a fire is not the way I would recommend going forward. See if you can borrow a fixture until you save enough to do the responsible, safe thing for you and your family, buy a new one.

JMO,
Russ

+1

why even think of risking your family/home/life over a $200 dollar light???