Ballast Replacement Help please

[lylzlady]

I started off using the Odyssea metal halide fixture, the ballast possibly got wet or could have just gone out on it's own (we've only had the light for a little under a year). We need to replace the ballast a.s.a.p. (it's been out for a week, just got paid) The ballast is 250 watts and instead of using ----, we would like to order from a company this time. Do we have to order the Odyssea specifically or are there other options. We know nothing about this and can't find out from who installed it if we can use another ballast. Any help please?? Thanks so much in advance.

 

[scsinet]

First, what kind of light is it? I know it's an Odyssea, but what model?
Given that it's a 250w ballast, we know it is a halide lamp. Does it have any fluorescent lamps? Is there just one halide lamp or several?
How many ballasts do you have? Can you take some pictures of the light and ballasts - particularly the connectors on the ballasts?
Someone that actually owns one of these lights may be better at helping you than I am, but with enough information and pics I should be able to walk you through what needs to be done here.
Oh... and how do you know it's the ballast and not something else? What diagnostic steps have you performed so far?

 

[todj2002]

SCSInet has made some good points. i would ask yourself some of the questions he stated. anyway i also started off with a cheaper brand light. a 250 mh and the ballast that it comes with is crap. i upgraded to a icecap ballast. i think it was about 120 dollars. maybe a little less, i cant remember. google it and u can get all the info on it. it is plug and play and is a good product. i would recomend getting a new bulbl also. the bulbs that come with these products are usually pretty crappy too. i went with a 14k and i am happy with it. i will prolly go with a 12k next time tho. hope this helps you.

 

[lylzlady]

Thank you thank you thank you. I will get that information sometime tomorrow and will try to take pictures and post as well. I will pass this info onto my husband. Yes it could be another problem but since I know nothing about the electrical aspects of this hobby I wouldn't begin to know where. We are always having an electrical issue under our tanks but I don't really know where to go to get it checked out.

 

[crazystars]

I have been running 400W 12K Reeflux for eleven months now and it is time to plan to change the lamps as I am coming up on their 12 month replacement date. Since I purchased the 12Ks, Coralvue started marketing their Reeflux 20K.
I am interested to know if any of you have made the switch from 12K to 20K in the reeflux line using a corlavue ballast. I think I may have read that the 20K offers more par which seems counter intuitive. Bottom line, was it a beneficial switch for your SPS colonies or was it a wash? Give me the scoop as I think about ordering new lamps for the next 12 months of service.
Thanks,
Mike