Lights went for a dip!HELP!

Well as the title says I managed to drop my Nova extreme light fixture into the tank today. Luckily the lights were off but after drying everything out the lights no longer come on.

So for my questions:
Any chance this is fixable? I am assuming something shorted out.

If not I am looking for new lighting. I have heard Tek lighting is good and reviewed this fixture http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5...igh-Output_Fixture_(Black)_by_Sunlight_Supply , What do you think?
I just put new ATI bulbs in my fixture a week ago so I assume they should be fine to go in this unit. I was also thinking of just replacing my Nova with the same unit. Would the Tek be a noticeably better fixture? its a bit more expensive.
The Tek doesn't come with mounting legs. Do I really need them if I use the optional splash shield? I have the Nova just resting on the tank.

I also was looking at the Ecoxotic LEDs Ecoxotic Panorama LED Module. Would these be more cost effective or better than the TEK and T5HO's?
Also it's the week of Christmas. Will it be a big deal if I have no lighting on my tank for the next week or so? I don't have a lot of corals- kenya tree, mushrooms, palys and some zoas but I am concerned this may cause some issues with them.

Sorry for all the questions. This is very frustrating as I wasn't looking to replace my light fixture any time soon.

Shawn

 

Hey Shawn, its happened to me
and once properly dry the unit worked fine again

you might want to check that its not fused? as some units have built in fuses which would pop in order to protect the person and save the problem reaching the socket

if it was on an extention block, check that also as that may have fused

try other things that you know work, in the plug socket also, just to eliminate the socket as the problem

Id leave the unit to dry out - remove the clear plexi/ acrylic to facilitate more air circulation inside the unit

Steve

 

I did the same thing on my fixture and I used white rice to help soke up all the water. It dosent mess up the electronics.

 

If you did it today.... it is not dry.

Let it set for another full 24 hours. Open up what areas you can. Point a fan at it, put it near a heater vent.... anything to get air moving through it.

Please do not plug it in again until fully dry. You risk frying the ballasts.

 

Thanks for the replys everybody. I will leave it overnight to make sure its dry. I went at it earlier with a hair dryer and everything looks dry but it's worth a shot. The only thing that I think got submerged were the endcaps on the side opposite the switches and such. The ballast got wet but it appears sealed so I don't think that would be an issue. I'm thinking the endcaps getting wet may of shorted the ballasts though.

I looked for fuses and couldn't find anything. I also tried setting it up in the garage with a different power strip just in case the outlet or other strip shorted but didn't have any luck.

Just in case it still doesn't work does anyone have any comments on the questions I posted? If it's dead I want to be prepared to get a new set up asap. Do you think the tank will be OK for a while without a light?

Thanks again for the responses.

Shawn

 

well in answer to that question

I and many other people have deliberately left tanks without light for 3 days or more
when using it as a weapon to battle algae (along with other things, not on its own)

and all my soft corals and LPS made it through a 3 day period of total light deprivation
and that included throwing a blanket over the tank to prevent even natural light coming in

but that was keeping softies

Steve

 

i would go with the mounting legs. even with the splash shield, i would want a little space between the water and my lights. this is just my opinion. from everything i have heard and read, tek are good lights. i have an aquaticlife 6 bulb t-5 unit for about 6 months and have been happy with it. i believe that it is a little cheaper than the tek but i can't say that it is better.

 

I'm inclined to agree after today. Have had that unit set up for several years and haven't had an issue but might end up being an expensive accident.

I'll look into the aquaticlife. Does that have the individual reflectors like the Tek or ATI lights?

 

Aquatic life fixtures do have individual reflectors, I have a 4 bulb and a 2 bulb fixture over my 90... Great products, just make plans to replace the stock bulbs for a better color.

 

If you have to replace it I would look at the new LED fixtures from BoostLED currently on sale for $299