Water splashed onto T5s (somehow) - in a bit of a bind

I've got an Aquaticlife 4-bulb T5HO on my tank. Specifically, this thing here.

I came home from work today to find the lights out. It looks like some water made it past the splash guard somehow and shorted one of the sockets. You can see the salt creep in the picture. Now the two sockets that had actinics in them are out completely. When I unplug and plug the fixture back in, the two 10k bulbs flash on for a split second then go out as well (the ones that currently have bulbs in them - the empty sockets don't work at all, I'm assuming they're controlled by separate ballasts?). I'm assuming (read: hoping) it just blew the ballast and fried a plug, but I'm not sure how I would go about checking that.

You can see the only visible damage here:



So, my first question - how would I go about testing the unit to see if its repairable? Would I just turn it on and check the ballast connections with my multimeter? I know Aquaticlife sells replacement ballasts online (they also sell plugs, I'll be replacing the damaged one at least). I've never replaced one, but I assume its not difficult. Is there anything special I would need to know?

Now my second question - If I can't repair the unit myself, how long can my corals and such go? I know they would be fine for a couple days, but money is a little tight at the moment with my first kid on the way and all, so at best it will be a week, possibly two until I can get the thing replaced. As far as photosynthetic critters go, I've got a Monti cap, birdsnest, caulastrea, hammer, a GBTA, and various zoas/mushrooms. Assuming that I can't replace it right away, is there anything I can do to alleviate the stress of not having lights for the time being?

I appreciate the help. I'm just glad the thing didn't catch fire when it happened, no one was home at the time. Kind of scary, now that I think about it.

 

Call them, the lights have a lifetime warranty and they will fix them for free, you only pay for the parts if it needs any.
They also will be able to walk you through troubleshooting the problem, atleast they did for my lights.

 

And if im not mistaken they close for the day at 7pm eastern, so call soon

 

On the bright side no one (fishes) we electrocuted Aqua-life is pretty up and up on their lights check in and mention your a member maybe they can warranty the system....

Good luck

E

 

i actually had dropped one of the ends of my fixtures in my tank and had to repair a socket its pretty easy just pops right in, just give aquatic life a call and they will hook you up great company to buy items from. Did you also check and see if you have all your fish? one might have been trying to escape.

 

I was too late today, but thanks for the heads up. I completely forgot about the warranty.

Everyone is still safe and sound. Not sure what happened, but like ezz1r said, at least everyone is ok.