T5 problem with ballast or bulb?

Dawn Haze · 09-22-2008, 03:28 PM

All I know about flourescent lights would fit in a thimble. I have a 30" Nova extreme that will only flicker on for a minute when you hit the power switch. Would that be because the ballast or one of the bulbs has gone out?

Wasserpest · 09-22-2008, 03:35 PM

Is there one or multiple bulbs in this fixture? Most likely it is the ballast, but you could buy a new bulb and check for yourself. If there are multiple bulbs and they all flicker, then I'd say it is the ballast that's bad.

**AaronT** · 09-22-2008, 03:38 PM

How old are the bulbs and what brand are they? How old is the fixture?

Dawn Haze · 09-22-2008, 03:56 PM

The fixture is less then a year old - it has 2 24watt bulbs. the bulbs came with the fixture I will have to wait until I am home to get the brand name. They came with the buld a 6700 and a 10,000. I have 2 48" fixtures with the same bulbs that are running fine they are a little older. I was just going to order new bulbs. the ballast is a 43.00 part and bulbs are 13.00 a piece the whole fixture runs abou 64.00.. hmm..do I buy a new one or piece this on togeather....

melonz · 09-22-2008, 04:45 PM

Try contacting the company. Just give them a call or email and they might help you with the replacement parts.

www.current-usa.com
Ph: 760-727-7011
Fax: 760-727-7066
Email: info@current-usa.com

**epicfish** · 09-22-2008, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by melonz

Try contacting the company. Just give them a call or email and they might help you with the replacement parts.

www.current-usa.com
Ph: 760-727-7011
Fax: 760-727-7066
Email: info@current-usa.com

+1. If it's less than a year old, they'll work with you. They've been pretty responsive to me in the past.

Dawn Haze · 09-22-2008, 05:28 PM

Thanks I will do that. I don't know why that didn't occur to me.

robbob2112 · 09-22-2008, 05:57 PM

Depends on the fixture, my T5 48" fixture only works with 2 good bulbs in it. If either goes bad they both go out and stay out until I replace the bad bulb. Pretty typical for multiple bulb flourescent fixtures.

**AaronT** · 09-22-2008, 06:05 PM

Yes, some fixtures need to have both bulbs working properly in order to work at all.

It sounds like your bulbs burnt out. I suggest replacing them with higher quality bulbs, i.e. Giesseman Midday bulbs.

Either way contact Current and let them know. Bulbs shouldn't burn out in less than a year.

09-22-2008, 03:28 PM	#1
Dawn Haze Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (19/100%) Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 127	T5 problem with ballast or bulb? All I know about flourescent lights would fit in a thimble. I have a 30" Nova extreme that will only flicker on for a minute when you hit the power switch. Would that be because the ballast or one of the bulbs has gone out?

09-22-2008, 03:35 PM	#2
Wasserpest Are these real? (View User Tanks) PTrader: (140/100%) Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Monterey, CA Posts: 14,646	Is there one or multiple bulbs in this fixture? Most likely it is the ballast, but you could buy a new bulb and check for yourself. If there are multiple bulbs and they all flicker, then I'd say it is the ballast that's bad. __________________ All my tanks Autodosing Water Change Temperature Monitoring Cheap Filter The Wasser-Controller

09-22-2008, 03:38 PM	#3
AaronT Collectoritis Patient (View User Tanks) PTrader: (176/100%) Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: MD, USA Posts: 2,031	How old are the bulbs and what brand are they? How old is the fixture? __________________ In the D.C., Maryland, or NOVA area? Come check out The Greater Washington Aquatic Plants Association! www.gwapa.org

09-22-2008, 05:57 PM	#8
robbob2112 Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Blawk Hawk, CO Posts: 159	Depends on the fixture, my T5 48" fixture only works with 2 good bulbs in it. If either goes bad they both go out and stay out until I replace the bad bulb. Pretty typical for multiple bulb flourescent fixtures. __________________ 46 gallon bowfront, Dalmatian Mollies, Swordtails, Otos 75 gallon Lake Malawi African Cichlids 3 gallon nano desktop with Betta at the office Last edited by robbob2112; 09-23-2008 at 08:53 PM..

09-22-2008, 06:05 PM	#9
AaronT Collectoritis Patient (View User Tanks) PTrader: (176/100%) Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: MD, USA Posts: 2,031	Yes, some fixtures need to have both bulbs working properly in order to work at all. It sounds like your bulbs burnt out. I suggest replacing them with higher quality bulbs, i.e. Giesseman Midday bulbs. Either way contact Current and let them know. Bulbs shouldn't burn out in less than a year. __________________ In the D.C., Maryland, or NOVA area? Come check out The Greater Washington Aquatic Plants Association! www.gwapa.org

09-22-2008, 03:56 PM	#4
Dawn Haze Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (19/100%) Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 127	The fixture is less then a year old - it has 2 24watt bulbs. the bulbs came with the fixture I will have to wait until I am home to get the brand name. They came with the buld a 6700 and a 10,000. I have 2 48" fixtures with the same bulbs that are running fine they are a little older. I was just going to order new bulbs. the ballast is a 43.00 part and bulbs are 13.00 a piece the whole fixture runs abou 64.00.. hmm..do I buy a new one or piece this on togeather....

09-22-2008, 04:45 PM	#5
melonz Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (5/100%) Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 109	Try contacting the company. Just give them a call or email and they might help you with the replacement parts. www.current-usa.com Ph: 760-727-7011 Fax: 760-727-7066 Email: info@current-usa.com

09-22-2008, 05:28 PM	#7
Dawn Haze Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (19/100%) Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 127	Thanks I will do that. I don't know why that didn't occur to me.

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