58Mike
02-18-2006, 9:30 AM
I am running a 96W compact flourescent fixture from CSL and noticed some odd behavior this morning. About an hour after lights on, the fixture was making some mild, but definately noticeable, buzzing noises...along with some related flickering of the lights.
I recently replaced the bulb with a new 96W 6700K bulb from AH Supply...same as the old one which was about 12 months old.
A little over a year ago, I had a simliar situation where I first had some buzzing & flickering, then had a complete meltdown of the ballast. This all occured shortly after I replaced the bulb with a new Coral Life bulb. Very unsettling to say the least. At any rate, I replaced the ballast with a new, and identical, Fulham Workhorse 5 ballast from a local lighting shop. After the meltdown, I also replaced the Coral Life bulb with a new one from AH Supply just to be sure the tank was getting the light it needed. With the new bulb and new ballast everything seemed fine...until this morning.
It seems like a new ballast should last more than a year doesn't it? I love this light fixture. Great light for a planted tank, nice looking and generally well put together. At least I thought so.... I could buy a new fixture, but I I really like this one and have not really seen any I like better.
Ok, now the question. Is this a pretty common scenario with light fixtures...or is this particular unit or ballast a problem? I would appreciate any insights more experienced aquarists could offer. I have been runnng a planted freshwater tank for about five years without any lighting issues up until about a year ago.
Thanks for any help you can offer!
I recently replaced the bulb with a new 96W 6700K bulb from AH Supply...same as the old one which was about 12 months old.
A little over a year ago, I had a simliar situation where I first had some buzzing & flickering, then had a complete meltdown of the ballast. This all occured shortly after I replaced the bulb with a new Coral Life bulb. Very unsettling to say the least. At any rate, I replaced the ballast with a new, and identical, Fulham Workhorse 5 ballast from a local lighting shop. After the meltdown, I also replaced the Coral Life bulb with a new one from AH Supply just to be sure the tank was getting the light it needed. With the new bulb and new ballast everything seemed fine...until this morning.
It seems like a new ballast should last more than a year doesn't it? I love this light fixture. Great light for a planted tank, nice looking and generally well put together. At least I thought so.... I could buy a new fixture, but I I really like this one and have not really seen any I like better.
Ok, now the question. Is this a pretty common scenario with light fixtures...or is this particular unit or ballast a problem? I would appreciate any insights more experienced aquarists could offer. I have been runnng a planted freshwater tank for about five years without any lighting issues up until about a year ago.
Thanks for any help you can offer!