Problem with halide

Discussion in 'Metal Halide Aquarium Lighting' started by malac0da13, Jan 3, 2010.

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  1. malac0da13

    malac0da13 Torch Coral

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    Hi I have a 400watt metal halide light over my aquarium and the bulb seems to be changing brightnesses, almost like pulsing or surging, and sometimes shuts off then restarts. I was just wondering if the problem was the bulb going or the ballast. the bulb is only a few months old but the ballast is few years older. Any advise would be appreciated.
     
    malac0da13, Jan 3, 2010
    malac0da13, Jan 3, 2010
    #1

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  2. surferdude

    surferdude Banned

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    Sounds like the ballast box is going bad. Overheating is causing the shut-off and restarting. IMO
     
    surferdude, Jan 3, 2010
    surferdude, Jan 3, 2010
    #2
  3. malac0da13

    malac0da13 Torch Coral

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    Hrmmm well thats good and bad. bad because its not mine and good because now I finally have a good reason to buy my t5 lights lol. The ballast doesn't seem to be getting very hot to the touch tho just a little warm.
     
    malac0da13, Jan 3, 2010
    malac0da13, Jan 3, 2010
    #3
  4. coylee_17

    coylee_17 Fire Goby

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    I would put my money on the ballast going.
     
    coylee_17, Jan 3, 2010
    coylee_17, Jan 3, 2010
    #4
  5. stud_man50

    stud_man50 Flamingo Tongue

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    Those have heat sensors and I bet it just gets hot enough to trip it. One way to test is to make sure its in open air, maybe even put a mini fan on the ballast, or get borrow a bulbs, take it to the LFS for a little testing?
     
    stud_man50, Jan 3, 2010
    stud_man50, Jan 3, 2010
    #5
  6. jkat21

    jkat21 Bangghai Cardinal

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    Do you have it hooked up to a timer??..I had a similar prob a while back and it turned out it was the cheapo timer I was using.it was getting hot and messing with the power to the halides..just my .02..good luck..
     
    jkat21, Jan 3, 2010
    jkat21, Jan 3, 2010
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  7. malac0da13

    malac0da13 Torch Coral

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    I just went to feel the timer and to see if it was getting hot and it shut off so I thought it mighta been that. Plugged it straight to the outlet and its still doing it. I just notice though that the ballast says right on it, "use only hps bulbs." So that is probably my biggest problem lol. Thanks for all your help.
     
    malac0da13, Jan 3, 2010
    malac0da13, Jan 3, 2010
    #7
  8. lunatik_69

    lunatik_69 Giant Squid

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    Sounds like a bad ballast to me too.



    luna
     
    lunatik_69, Jan 3, 2010
    lunatik_69, Jan 3, 2010
    #8