Coralife 4X65 48" light problems - Aquarium Advice

spinman · 09-20-2005, 01:52 PM

So I had a pair of these lights for about 2 months and then one day one of the actinics went out on one of the fixtures. Called my fish guy who I bought them from and he brought over a new bulb. Swapped it out but still not working.

He felt it may be a bad ballast. He took the light with him. Called a week later and confirmed the ballast was bad, and oh by the way, the other 3 bulbs (which were working fine before) are now bad too. Could this be?
Are these lights that touchy?

I got a deal on this light because the clear acrylic bulb cover is cracked at the end. There's about a 3" opening on one end which exposes the bulbs to the salt air above the tank. My fish guy didn't think that would cause the light to fail. But I'm wondering.

Comments?

Mike

revhtree · 09-20-2005, 03:35 PM

It will cause those lights to fail. Been there done that. Thats why I just purchased my [acronym:db84c8588f="Metal halide light"]MH[/acronym:db84c8588f] set up. Had to different fixtures go at the same time due to the salt and moisture. It can also cause a fire. I seen flames with mine....

HoopsGuru · 09-20-2005, 04:09 PM

Welcome to the downside of Coralife. [acronym:a50ae50d45="In My Experience"]IME[/acronym:a50ae50d45], they are a great price, but you sometimes play roulette with the longevity of the unit. I have a 2x65w on my 55g that has lasted 2 years, but another unit where the salt corroded the bulb connection through the unit and caused it to fail.

DragonForce · 09-20-2005, 04:43 PM

Make your own metal halide setup for 1/3 the price. I made a 175 watt setup for 100 bucks then added 2 10w actinics for 40 bucks. My tank is 37 [acronym:3218ac01a4="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:3218ac01a4]

spinman · 09-21-2005, 07:38 AM

So, it sounds like a [acronym:101391f904="Do it yourself"]DIY[/acronym:101391f904] [acronym:101391f904="Metal halide light"]MH[/acronym:101391f904] set up may be in my future.
But is [acronym:101391f904="Metal halide light"]MH[/acronym:101391f904] overkill for a [acronym:101391f904="Fish only with live rock"]FOWLR[/acronym:101391f904]? To tell the truth, when all 4 bulbs are on during the day, it appears too bright (for me). But I like a more subdued look.

Til then, I probably should get a new acrylic cover.

Mike

revhtree · 09-21-2005, 10:22 AM

If I were you , I would not get a [acronym:5606b90866="Metal halide light"]MH[/acronym:5606b90866] set up unless you plan on going reef someday. Heat, Electric, money, issues that you dont need.....

spinman · 09-21-2005, 10:43 AM

That's what I figured. Those reefers out there are just dying to convert us FOWLRs over to the other side

runway1 · 09-21-2005, 12:10 PM

Frankly, I will no longer buy Coralife products. I've had nothing but problems

09-20-2005, 01:52 PM	#1
spinman Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: May 2005 Location: Cherry Hill New Jersey Posts: 238	Coralife 4X65 48" light problems So I had a pair of these lights for about 2 months and then one day one of the actinics went out on one of the fixtures. Called my fish guy who I bought them from and he brought over a new bulb. Swapped it out but still not working. He felt it may be a bad ballast. He took the light with him. Called a week later and confirmed the ballast was bad, and oh by the way, the other 3 bulbs (which were working fine before) are now bad too. Could this be? Are these lights that touchy? I got a deal on this light because the clear acrylic bulb cover is cracked at the end. There's about a 3" opening on one end which exposes the bulbs to the salt air above the tank. My fish guy didn't think that would cause the light to fail. But I'm wondering. Comments? Mike __________________ 120 g [acronym="Fish only with live rock"]FOWLR[/acronym], Pro Clear 200 19 [acronym="Gallon"]gal[/acronym]. sump (bio balls removed), 50# Walt Smith FiJi [acronym="Live rock"]LR[/acronym], 150# reefersrock base, 300# [acronym="Deep Sand Bed"]DSB[/acronym], Iwaki MD 20 return, (2) Rio 600s, (2) Hagen 802s, Amiracle Quad II skimmer, (2) Coralife 4 X 65s, 2 Lebo moonlights, (2) 120 mm vent. fans, (2) Perc. Clowns, (1) Yellow Tang, (1) cleaner shrimp, (2) Henis, pending: Foxace Lo, Flame Angel, blue legs, scarlets, 4 emerald crabs, nassarius snails, 50 mexican turbos, (1) good bankruptcy attorney when this hobby blows out of control!

09-20-2005, 03:35 PM	#2
revhtree Aquarium Advice Addict Community Admin Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Rossville. Ga Posts: 4,047 Images: 1	It will cause those lights to fail. Been there done that. Thats why I just purchased my [acronym:db84c8588f="Metal halide light"]MH[/acronym:db84c8588f] set up. Had to different fixtures go at the same time due to the salt and moisture. It can also cause a fire. I seen flames with mine.... __________________ Remember to Keep Christ First! 120G - Deltec AP601 Skimmer - Reefkeeper2 - Geo 618 - (2)Tunze 6100 - Tunze 6212 Wave Box - (2) 250w MH's w/VHO

09-20-2005, 04:09 PM	#3
HoopsGuru Aquarium Advice FINatic Moderator Emeritus Join Date: May 2003 Location: Central PA Posts: 966 Images: 1	Welcome to the downside of Coralife. [acronym:a50ae50d45="In My Experience"]IME[/acronym:a50ae50d45], they are a great price, but you sometimes play roulette with the longevity of the unit. I have a 2x65w on my 55g that has lasted 2 years, but another unit where the salt corroded the bulb connection through the unit and caused it to fail. __________________ http://www.reefnut.com/Images/Membershiplogotiny.jpg

09-20-2005, 04:43 PM	#4
DragonForce Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Southern California Posts: 925 Images: 1	Make your own metal halide setup for 1/3 the price. I made a 175 watt setup for 100 bucks then added 2 10w actinics for 40 bucks. My tank is 37 [acronym:3218ac01a4="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:3218ac01a4] __________________ 37 [acronym="Gallon"]gal[/acronym] all glass 50lb [acronym="Live rock"]LR[/acronym] 3' fine sand bed 1x Orange Stripe Prawn shrimp goby, 1x sixline wrassemated pair of true percula clowns, 1x CBS shrimp, 2x peppermint shrimp, 1x pistol shrimp, 1x tiger tale [acronym="Sea cucumber"]cuke[/acronym], ~20+ snails, ~10+ hermits, 1xserpent star. green Bubble coral, hammer coral (8 heads!) ,various Zoos,green finger leather, green star polpys ,[acronym="Mushroom coral"]shrooms[/acronym] 175w 10k [acronym="Metal halide light"]MH[/acronym] 28w actinic [acronym="Actinic lighting"]03[/acronym] 2x maxi jett 1200 Prizm skimmer (modded) Hagen powerfilter(for running carbon 24/7) nano arctica chiller

09-21-2005, 07:38 AM	#5
spinman Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: May 2005 Location: Cherry Hill New Jersey Posts: 238	So, it sounds like a [acronym:101391f904="Do it yourself"]DIY[/acronym:101391f904] [acronym:101391f904="Metal halide light"]MH[/acronym:101391f904] set up may be in my future. But is [acronym:101391f904="Metal halide light"]MH[/acronym:101391f904] overkill for a [acronym:101391f904="Fish only with live rock"]FOWLR[/acronym:101391f904]? To tell the truth, when all 4 bulbs are on during the day, it appears too bright (for me). But I like a more subdued look. Til then, I probably should get a new acrylic cover. Mike __________________ 120 g [acronym="Fish only with live rock"]FOWLR[/acronym], Pro Clear 200 19 [acronym="Gallon"]gal[/acronym]. sump (bio balls removed), 50# Walt Smith FiJi [acronym="Live rock"]LR[/acronym], 150# reefersrock base, 300# [acronym="Deep Sand Bed"]DSB[/acronym], Iwaki MD 20 return, (2) Rio 600s, (2) Hagen 802s, Amiracle Quad II skimmer, (2) Coralife 4 X 65s, 2 Lebo moonlights, (2) 120 mm vent. fans, (2) Perc. Clowns, (1) Yellow Tang, (1) cleaner shrimp, (2) Henis, pending: Foxace Lo, Flame Angel, blue legs, scarlets, 4 emerald crabs, nassarius snails, 50 mexican turbos, (1) good bankruptcy attorney when this hobby blows out of control!

09-21-2005, 10:22 AM	#6
revhtree Aquarium Advice Addict Community Admin Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Rossville. Ga Posts: 4,047 Images: 1	If I were you , I would not get a [acronym:5606b90866="Metal halide light"]MH[/acronym:5606b90866] set up unless you plan on going reef someday. Heat, Electric, money, issues that you dont need..... __________________ Remember to Keep Christ First! 120G - Deltec AP601 Skimmer - Reefkeeper2 - Geo 618 - (2)Tunze 6100 - Tunze 6212 Wave Box - (2) 250w MH's w/VHO

09-21-2005, 10:43 AM	#7
spinman Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: May 2005 Location: Cherry Hill New Jersey Posts: 238	That's what I figured. Those reefers out there are just dying to convert us FOWLRs over to the other side __________________ 120 g [acronym="Fish only with live rock"]FOWLR[/acronym], Pro Clear 200 19 [acronym="Gallon"]gal[/acronym]. sump (bio balls removed), 50# Walt Smith FiJi [acronym="Live rock"]LR[/acronym], 150# reefersrock base, 300# [acronym="Deep Sand Bed"]DSB[/acronym], Iwaki MD 20 return, (2) Rio 600s, (2) Hagen 802s, Amiracle Quad II skimmer, (2) Coralife 4 X 65s, 2 Lebo moonlights, (2) 120 mm vent. fans, (2) Perc. Clowns, (1) Yellow Tang, (1) cleaner shrimp, (2) Henis, pending: Foxace Lo, Flame Angel, blue legs, scarlets, 4 emerald crabs, nassarius snails, 50 mexican turbos, (1) good bankruptcy attorney when this hobby blows out of control!

09-21-2005, 12:10 PM	#8
runway1 Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: So-Cal Posts: 641	Frankly, I will no longer buy Coralife products. I've had nothing but problems __________________ 55 gallon dual 175 [acronym:f768dbc9ca="Metal halide light"]MH[/acronym:f768dbc9ca] w/ dual 32W [acronym:f768dbc9ca="Power compact fluorescent"]PC[/acronym:f768dbc9ca] Actinics 75# [acronym:f768dbc9ca="Live rock"]LR[/acronym:f768dbc9ca]

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