Light Stopped working

[jibboo]

My friend gave me this 46g bowfront tank and I've had it up and running for 8 months now ... the bulb in it finally went out, so I replaced the bulbs.

All Glass Flourescent Twin Tube 36" light

I bought (2) 36" Zoo med lights (25w) to replace the ones in it. It worked for one day and then refused to turn back on.

So, my question is ... is the light dead? It can't be the bulbs since they are brand new right? Is this something I can fix? I'm mad cuz I just spent $30+ for the bulbs and now its dead??? The cheapest I've seen these same lights for sale is $95 (not incl tax/shipping) ... which is ridiculous because for $100 I bought a 48" Current USA PC light setup for my 55g tank.

Does anyone have any advice, insight?

[ccCapt]

It might be the ballast. You can buy a replacement at HD or Lowes.

[jibboo]

Is that something easy to install?

[thincat]

First, are you under 18 yrs old?

[Blueiz]

If it has a starter on it, that is most likely what it is. Here's a link to what it looks like and its located most of the time somewhere along where the bulbs are at where you can plainly see it. All-Glass Aquarium Fluorescent Starter at PETCO

there is no real way to see if its burnt out or not besides replacing it. They are sold at walmart and most home supply stores. If you do have this starter, you may want to take it out and take it with you to be sure you get the correct one.

[jibboo]

Originally Posted by thincat

First, are you under 18 yrs old?

No, I'm double that ... but what difference does age have to do with knowing whether or not my light can be fixed?

[jsoong]

The over 18 is just a precaution, because we are going to tell you to take the thing apart to fix it ... and you need to be an adult to be responsible for your own actions ... in case you electrocute yourself!

So, if you are handy around electrical devices, you can give the fix a try.

1. Before doing anything else, unplug the light!

2. Remove the bulbs, check that there is no corrosion in the endcaps. This is the most likely failure point. If there is any water deposits, rusts, etc. on the endcaps, the bulbs won't make contact & won't light. If you see any corrosion, try cleaning it off with sandpaper. <Also, clean off anything that got stuck in the prongs of the bulbs.> Try wriggling the bulbs in the socket to see if you get good contact & get it to light. You will have to replace the endcaps if they are corroded & cleaning does not do the trick.

2a. Just to double check, your new bulbs are the same watts as the old, right?

3. next step is to take the fixture apart. Check for any loose wires. With an ohmmeter, check that your on-off switch is still working. <Check for continuity between power plug & ballast supply leads, & ballast output & endcaps.>

4. If you have a starter (old style fixtures only .... almost all lights within the last 10 or 20 years use self start ballasts), try replacing that.

5. If all else fails, try replacing the ballast.

If you are unsure of how to work safely with electrical devices, please don't try the dis-assembly fix. A short in a fixture over water is a disaster waiting to happen!

[Blueiz]

Originally Posted by jsoong

The over 18 is just a precaution, because we are going to tell you to take the thing apart to fix it ... and you need to be an adult to be responsible for your own actions ... in case you electrocute yourself!

So, if you are handy around electrical devices, you can give the fix a try.

1. Before doing anything else, unplug the light!

2. Remove the bulbs, check that there is no corrosion in the endcaps. This is the most likely failure point. If there is any water deposits, rusts, etc. on the endcaps, the bulbs won't make contact & won't light. If you see any corrosion, try cleaning it off with sandpaper. <Also, clean off anything that got stuck in the prongs of the bulbs.> Try wriggling the bulbs in the socket to see if you get good contact & get it to light. You will have to replace the endcaps if they are corroded & cleaning does not do the trick.

2a. Just to double check, your new bulbs are the same watts as the old, right?

3. next step is to take the fixture apart. Check for any loose wires. With an ohmmeter, check that your on-off switch is still working. <Check for continuity between power plug & ballast supply leads, & ballast output & endcaps.>

4. If you have a starter (old style fixtures only .... almost all lights within the last 10 or 20 years use self start ballasts), try replacing that.

5. If all else fails, try replacing the ballast.

If you are unsure of how to work safely with electrical devices, please don't try the dis-assembly fix. A short in a fixture over water is a disaster waiting to happen!

I disagree with the statement that I just bolded. The last tank that I purchased, about a year ago, had a starter in it.

To the poster, before you take your light strip apart, check to see if you have a starter, and if you did, put a new one in it to see if that works.

[cagey]

RE: old starters-if the light is blinking, replace the bulb. if the bulb is not lighting or at both ends, replace the starter.

[thincat]

The easiest way to see if you have a starter or not is to tell us what type of fixture you have and the brand name.

[Blueiz]

Originally Posted by thincat

The easiest way to see if you have a starter or not is to tell us what type of fixture you have and the brand name.

This is what was listed in the first post

"All Glass Flourescent Twin Tube 36" light"

This unit is described as having an instant start circuit instead of a starter.

Perhaps post pictures of your strip if possible?

[thincat]

Is this it. It shows a starter...left center...

[jibboo]

OK, here's 2 pics ... one of the underside with the reflector (haven't removed that yet to see details on the ballast) and the other is the labe on the back:

36" Fluorescent Twin-Tube Aquarium Reflector
120 volt 75 watt 60hz

I'm guessing the model info is the 2 nums at the top: 9N23 and E163201

LOL I never knew fluorescent was spelled with the u before the o.

[thincat]

Me too on the u before the O..thank heavens for spell check Well, if it had a starter it would be between the two bulbs. Do you have a Voltmeter? If not then check to see if the ends are corroded and clean them to see if that works. Take the bulbs out, clean the contacts and swap the bulbs around.

[jsoong]

I am slightly confused. The fixture says 75W? But you put in 2x25W tubes. Is that the original W's on the tubes. <Standard T12 36" tubes are 30W.> I wonder if there is an incompatibility in the W's here.

It is quite possible that the 75W is an electronic ballast, in that case the tubes should work. So check the endcaps first before anything else.

[jsoong]

Oh, and if it is a 75W electronic ballast, then it needs no starter.