Light Emergency

[phage]

Sorry to double post, just trying to make sure everyone sees this. I have a thread in wanted to buy, and figured this place might get more views.

My DE bulb stopped working last night (leaving town in the morning), so I bought a new bulb from Austin Aquariums (thanks Ed!) and found out that was not the problem. The socket in my PFO mini pendant has somehow almost totally corroded away, and that was the problem. I tried cleaning it up and putting old bulb back in, but the corrosion had left so little metal it pretty much melted the end of my old bulb. I need some help! I can't find anyone in town who has a DE socket on hand, and I need some light for my corals until the holdiay weekend is over so i can get something then.

Anyone have a DE socket laying around? spare DE pendant? A good idea of what I can do? Someone said on the other thread I posted that I *may* be able to use a socket form a halogen lamp from home depot? Anyone agree/disagree with that? Sorry again for the DP, I'm just kind of running out of time!

Here's other thread I posted

http://maast.com/index.php?name=PNphpBB2&file=viewtopic&t=2867

Thanks in advance,
Aaron

[phage]

dual 250w HQI PFO ballast

[phage]

I dunno, it has those PFO "quick disconnect" plugs on it, and I dont have one laying around to cut up to wire it in. Other than that, I *can* wire it up, yes. I have no idea what non DE bulbs would work with this ballast though, never thought about it before.

[DeletedAccount]

Since you have the quick connect it would not be smart to start cutting things up, I would guess. How long are you out of tow for? What size is the tank? Maybe someone has a VHO or PC laying arund that would work short term?

[phage]

Gone from tomorrow morning until Monday. I'm gonna order a socket off the net ASAP, and it should get here some time next week. Its a 120 (4x2x2) and has 1 functional 250 DE light over it now, which I have kind of hung over hte middle to get a little light all over. I'm not sure if that will be enough to keep me going (mixed reef, softies, LPS, and SPS), but its better than nothing. I do have a DIY dual 400w MV ballast I wired up a while back (and never tested), so I guess if someone has a 400w Iwasaki that would work.. assuming the ballast doesnt catch fire! And good idea on the VHO/PCs. I'm just not wanting everything to be dead when I get back.