Well, I guess lesson learned

[SaltyMist]

So I was trying to pull out a powerhead from my tank that Im not using anymore and I've got a 20 gallon tank with a simple glass top on it, only one side of the back pain of glass was originally cut down to fit something on the right side of the tank and so it had no support on the right, and minimal support on the back, so I slid my 65w compact lighting hood backwards but I didnt rest it properly on the edges of the tank, and sure enough it went KERPLUNK into the water, it immediately started to fizzle, so I quickly turned off the power supply strip to the light and pulled it out.

Fortunately no shock occured to me or the tanks inhabitants, but seemed strange that the breaker on the power strip didnt shut off.

Anyway, I dried everything as best as I could, and tried to plug the bulb back into the socket, and all I got out of it was a glow and fizzling noises (so I quickly turned off the power to it again), so Im guessing Im going to have to leave it unplugged a few days to make sure its completely dried out.

Do you think the bulb is now shot, and or will I need to replace the ballast as well because the corner of the bulb where it gets plugged in went underwater (the ballast is on a ledge on my desk so it didnt get wet).

Thanks,

 

[Baianotang]

You have to rinse everything in freshwater. When the saltwater dries (dry salt) it attracts water that is in the air in never gets realy dry.
Good luck and I hope you can save the equipment.

 

[tangir1]

Glad that you are alright!

Don't rely on the circuit breaker or GFIC because they can't see the difference between a ballast driving a CF bulb, or a ballast pushing the electrons thru your heart. Be very careful at all time.

Anyway, try to rinse the wetted part with RO/DI, and leave it out to dry. Plug the ballast in without the bulb, and make sure nothing funny can be heard/seem/smelled...

On second thought, you may want to use replace the affected equipement, since they are small price to pay compare to what a house fire or a funeral going to cost.

 

[SaltyMist]

Thanks for the tips. I guess this means I can finally upgrade my lighting properly. Now all I have to do is find a real hood that will fit a 20 high gallon tank and a retrofit kit to put in it to maybe double or tripple the wattage :lol:

I have another 65w bulb but it isnt a true 03 acitinc 50/50 bulb it's too green so I'll rinse everything and see what happens once it drys, then I'll have to start hunting to find a hood that will fit it (anyone seen a real hood with an open back to fit a 20 gallon high tank? ) if it dont work anymore.

 

[McMatt]

Ya, saltwater is a great conductor. I have a fluvial canister filter.. Well, one day, after doing some maintanance on it, I hooked it back up, primed it, and plugged it in.. The return line to the tank decided to pop off of it, and I had a jet of water coming out of the filter, and the return line started to drain the tank right onto the power strip. Of course, my first reaction was HOLY CRAP, I gotta turn this off, so I reached over for the off switch on the power strip.... Anyways, did I mention that there was LOTS of salt water running out of it? Well, I turned it off, and started getting a shock.. Luckily my room mate was there, and could unplug it from the wall, as I was kinda locked up in muscular contractions at that time. Needless to say.. All my power strips are mounted high up on the wall now. 120volts for 30 seconds HURTS like hell. What was so wierd, is that the salt water had gotten into the strip, and even though it was turned off, there was still power goin to everything on it, and it was smoking like crazy.

I've learned to really respect everything electrical around the tank now. My strips have built in GFI at the plug in, but they didn't break or anything when I was having my shocking experience.. DON'T trust GFI stuff.

Just my $.02 worth.

 

[HClH2OFish]

as I was kinda locked up in muscular contractions at that time. quote]

Brings to mind a time I was chicking the alternator on my car...one hand holding the hood up and the other discovering broken insulation. All I remember is a great big flash and then my roommate lying on his back laughing as I'm trying to get my arms to move...

Electricity ain't nuthin to be funnin with!