MH Light Question/Help

jgiordano · #1 10/06/2007, 04:42 PM

I have had the Cadlights w/ 25g with MH hqi since december with no problems regarding the light. Today when I came home the ballast was humming but the light was off, probably due to a brownout. (it was like this for about an hour) I have seen this before but usually I let it cool and fire it back up. It isn't letting me do that today? When I try to fire up the light there is a tiny flash in the bulb then just a hum in the ballast.

The thing that is really bothering me is that my controller that sits right next to it BUGS out when I try to fire it up. I have to recalibrate it and things go on that are not supposed to. So I am assuming it is a magnetic ballast and the not firing is causing some disruption.

Can anyone shed some light (no pun intended); could it be the bulb or the ballast?

Justjoe · #2 10/06/2007, 05:21 PM

I'm not familiar with your light but with metal halides, the ballast rarely goes bad, often its the capacitor. Easiest thing to do is to put a new bulb in, if it doesn't work then the capacitor is next to check. My guess is its the bulb in your case.

jgiordano · #3 10/06/2007, 05:48 PM

There is a faint glow in the bulb; while the ballast is on. The thing that makes me think it is the ballast is why would it be affecting my controller?

Anyplace I could get a double sided bulb 150K bulb on LI not too expensive?

How many days can I go with actinics? Some zoos, rics, some LPS (torch and Frogspawn) and (and a few rainbow monti, pavona cactus, bird's nest, blue tortosa) SPS

Hogs · #4 10/06/2007, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jgiordano
There is a faint glow in the bulb; while the ballast is on. The thing that makes me think it is the ballast is why would it be affecting my controller?

Anyplace I could get a double sided bulb 150K bulb on LI not too expensive?

How many days can I go with actinics? Some zoos, rics, some LPS (torch and Frogspawn) and (and a few rainbow monti, pavona cactus, bird's nest, blue tortosa) SPS

Aquahut in Coram quoted me $50 for 175w HQI DE. He's open all day on Sunday. Maybe it's in stock. Don does stock alot of bulbs.

Another option;
Here's cheap but maybe not too fast. He's only in PA. Maybe he can overnight it.

http://cgi.ebay.com/150W-HQI-14K-DE-...QQcmdZViewItem

jgiordano · #5 10/07/2007, 05:41 PM

Alot of people are complaining about their fixtures, even if they replace it I might not take it. I am considering buying an outer orbit from jcaquatics does he post here?

cdamiano · #6 10/07/2007, 08:13 PM

Based on what you are describing, it sounds like the bulb is bad. I had a similar situation with another fixture and replacing the bulb fixed the problem.

chemisfun11 · #7 10/08/2007, 07:57 PM

I can loan you a 150 W DE bulb if you'd like to test your fixture. LMK

jgiordano · #8 10/08/2007, 08:42 PM

Thanks chemisfun11; I got another bulb and it isn't the bulb. I has to be the ballast. Now I just have to figure out If I want to get the company to replace it or go with a new fixture.