My hood died...

zanytomato

AC Members
Jul 31, 2007
357
0
0
49
Vancouver
...came home from a quick weekend away, only to discover that my fish light was out. Which was weird because it's all set up on a timer. Anyhow, tried everything from getting rid of the timer, and plugging it in to different outlets, and it's a no-go. Deader than dead... *grumble*

I got one of those "starter" kits at one of the big chains a year ago, and every last thing (except the tank.. knock on wood) has now broken and been replaced.

So after work I have to go find myself another hood... *sigh*
 
My hood just died last night. I have only had the tank for just over a month, and it was one of those started kit with everything you need. I can't believe I have to replace mine already. I did change the bulb on mine and tried plugging to different outlets. What a bummer!
 
Have to side with FBT here... Have you changed the bulb?

(By the way... RIP, Hood)
 
Yeah, tried a new bulb, too... nothing. (I had an old one around that I had replaced because I didn't like it's colour).

I agree, Melli... what a bummer!
 
just hope its the starter and not the ballast..
Starter- a few bucks
Ballast - a few bucks 2 many

I think it might be the ballast, unfortunately. I had it plugged into a timer and left in the on position... so it was just having it's juice cut off via the timer, but not using the starter to start up. It's a really cheap thing, so I'm not all that surprised.
 
No, the starter is used every time you apply power to the bulb. I read up on the physics of a starter, which are interesting to an engineering mind, kinda dull otherwise.

It is most likely a little can-shaped thing in the Light Bar. I just had to replace one in an eclipse hood, though it was just the same parts without the can. Anyway, I bought a pack of two starters from Home Depot for 1.59 USD (before tax). From a pet store a pack of two was around $5.

http://www.howstuffworks.com/fluorescent-lamp4.htm

http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/fluorescent-lamp-starter-sw.jpg
This image shows the starter inside a can, which is the way your fixture Probably uses it. Also it shows the parts inside, which is how it was in my Eclipse fixture.

The starter is usually a very easy thing to try, and quite cheap. To remove the old one, just push in and twist counter-clockwise.
 
No, the starter is used every time you apply power to the bulb. I read up on the physics of a starter, which are interesting to an engineering mind, kinda dull otherwise.

It is most likely a little can-shaped thing in the Light Bar. I just had to replace one in an eclipse hood, though it was just the same parts without the can. Anyway, I bought a pack of two starters from Home Depot for 1.59 USD (before tax). From a pet store a pack of two was around $5.

http://www.howstuffworks.com/fluorescent-lamp4.htm

http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/fluorescent-lamp-starter-sw.jpg
This image shows the starter inside a can, which is the way your fixture Probably uses it. Also it shows the parts inside, which is how it was in my Eclipse fixture.

The starter is usually a very easy thing to try, and quite cheap. To remove the old one, just push in and twist counter-clockwise.

That's great, Sandman, thanks!! I'm going to give that a whirl and see if it works. Home Depot is closed now, but I'll pop over there tomorrow after work and see if I can get it going again. That would be terrific if it were that simple!
 
I hope it is, there's even a possibility that you just have a loose wire or a blown fuse somewhere in the hood.
When my starter wasn't working, the ends of the bulb were lighting, but not the center. Since yours has no lighting at all, I'd open it up and make sure there are no loose connections before completely replacing anything.
 
AquariaCentral.com