New ATI T5 bulbs keep setting off GFCI

I just installed new bulbs on my 36” AquaticLife 4xT5HO and it keeps popping my GFCI whenever I turn on the actinics. I replaced the stock bulbs with two ATI Blue Pluses, UV Super Actinic and KZ Fiji Purple. I have the ATI’s on the actinic circuit and the UV and KZ on the daylights circuit.
I’ve tried testing each bulb one at a time and neither one will individually trip the GFCI but if both are in there it trips the GFCI almost every time. I’ve also replaced the stock bulbs and there is no issue.
Any advice? Is it my fixture or the bulbs??

 

It most likely is the ballast or the GFCI.

 

Wouldn't it give me problems with the stock bulbs though?

I was thinking of plugging it in to another socket that wasn't GFCI but afraid it might do permanent damage to something if it didn't have the GFCI to trip it right away.

 

No it should be fine, I don't have a GFCI hooked up to my lights. I think the ATI bulbs may require more energy and the GFCI can not with stand the surge. While GFCI are great protection they are far too sensitive to be a lot more than a royal PITA with equipment that can require or cause a bit of a surge.

 

I wonder if I need to upgrade to a 20A GFCI..

I can't help but wonder my two small bulbs are creating such a surge while others with big MH and 6-8 bulb T5HO's fixtures with no problems.. grrrr

 

I would upgrade to the higher amp GFCI. It may be that the connections aren't good between the bulbs and the ends also.

 

well i played with it a few and they're all lighting off now with no problem. I even had everything else running at the same time, including the heater, and no problem. we'll see though. it ran fine last night for a bit and when i started her up this morning it popped it.

i may end up throwing in a 20amp gfci this weekend but its in a PITA spot behind my stand and sump. thanks for the help 2in10

 

you may have had a weak connection at the bulb gfci get strange when rf energy gets arround them . loose connection can cause some rf energy in the near field that will trip them

amung my other hobbys is amateur radio and i have issues with my gfci when im transmitting on 7 megahertz it likes to trip if i dont keep all my leads as short as possible

 

I had an ATI fixture and I changed bulbs once and forgot to plug the fans back in. when the fixture got too hot it would pop my GFCI unit. I battled that GFCI for about 3 hours before I realized my light fixture was overheating because the fans weren't running. Got the fans going in the fixture and it never popped my GFCI again.

 

Not a electrician but can you install a GFCI 20 amp Breaker on that circuit. Maybe easier than getting behind the stand??