Oh no! My MH light!!!

Question
The other morning I was awoken by a strange sound (my tank is located in my bedroom), and through various investigations I have figured out it had something to do with my Metal Halide lighting system... as it no longer works (I know, I should be a very well paid detective).
After numerious phone calls, I have come to the conclusion that the sound I had heard was NOT the old bulb "blowing out" or "biting the dust" but was something much more scarey and severe! I believe my ballast thingie is broken.
I have come to this conclusion based on the phone calls I had made asking specifically about the new replacement bulb I had bought at the time I had acquired my MH unit. They confirmed that it "appeared normal" or at least by my lengthy description.
Also: THe lunar lights (4 of them) and the inner fan all still work (they are on a different electrical system from the MH bulb and ballast).
AlsoAlso: The socket I am attempting to plug the ballast and ergo the MH light still is in good working condition...
SO NOW WITH THE QUESTION! (woo!)
As my battle with the seller I bought the light from goes on (ebay member, good reviews, I just think he speaks another language and english is his second) I am freaking out about my corals. I have AN OLD LIGHT no where NEAR as strong as a MH so they will survive (i hope) for a few days.
Where can I find another ballast? It is for an ODYSSEA, and it has a very specific hook up. (the wall plugs to the ballast, then a cord with a female ending hooks mid way to a male ended to the lighting fixture itself). Do ALL ballasts hook together in this fashion? (woo then it'd be REAL easy to get another).
Do you suggest I battle it out with the ebay guy? THe light is seriously less then 2 months old.... (I bought it dec 21, I believe I installed it shortly before the new year)

THANKS FOR YOUR TIME :)
Alisha.

Answer
Hello Alisha,

To answer your question regarding your corals surviving a few days without or with minimal light...

Yes, your corals will survive a few days.  it does rain and storm in the tropics.

You can find replacement ballasts almost everywhere.  They do sell them on ebay, or you can find them at most local fish stores, or from many online reef supply stores, and some agriculture stores as well.

most ballast are interchangeable.  BUT that does not mean the plugs will fit different 'canopy or pendants or reflectors'

you may have to splice the wires together, or cut off the old connectors from the old ballast and splice them onto the new ballast so you can plug the old pendant fixture into the new ballast.

This is not that hard, but, a lot of caution and direction should be given.  it is best to have the new parts in hand with the wire colors and other information available.

NOTE:  the connector i am talking about is the connector from the ballast to the bulb/canopy/reflector/pendant.  Different companies use different connectors.

The connector to the wall socket is standard, but may not be included on the ballast you purchase.


I can not offer much information on the item you purchased and where you purchased other then to say, that i would buy and use only name brand items when dealing with electricity, *in this case name brand would be items that can be purchased from reputable online and local resellers..

Good luck, and let us know what you end up doing, and if you need more help.



Mr. Bill