Nova Extreme HO Light Fixture 2x54w-48" T5 Almost caught fire!

Got this fixture (Nova Extreme HO Light Fixture 2x54w-48" T5 ) on 3/10/2010 from Thatfishplace.com. This morning I smelled something burning and followed my nose to this fixture and when I looked underneath it it was glowing red and smoking. Of course I quickly unplugged it.

Here's a pic....





I hate to think what could have happened if I hadn't been at home !

Anyway I called Thatfishplace.com customer service, explained what happened with my NEW FIXTURE. They said I could get a replacement when I shipped this one back and they would pay for the shipping. The problem is I didn't save the box and they don't provide any shipping materials. I saved the box for about a month and had just broke it down and sent if off in the recycle. The girl told me I would need to go to home depot and buy a box to put the 4 foot long fixture in.....Are you kidding me! I asked to speak to a supervisor and she told me she was really busy today and would have to call me back this afternoon.

I've ordered $1000's of dollars of stuff from them and I'm not very happy right now. I'm currently waiting for a call back from a supervisor. Am I required to keep the box forever???? GRRRRRR

kj5kb said:

Another option would be to order another, pay for it, and have them refund you when you return the bad one. Not my favorite option, but that way you'd have the packing materials.

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That's actually what I ended up doing! The supervisor called me back within 30 minutes and after discussing several options I decided to order and pay for the replacement. Then when I receive the new one, shipping the bad one back in its box. She put a rush on the replacement I ordered and said to call when the the other was ready for pick up and she would have FEDEX pick up the bad one. A credit would be issued as soon as they received the bad one back.

Now....what happened with the fixture:

The only thing I can think of was I remember when unpacking it and installing the bulbs, I thought those white end pieces where the bulbs fit in were a hair too far away making the bulb a bit loose. Not much.... but just a hair more than I remember my other fixtures being. I have 5 other Nova Extreme fixtures of various sizes and have never had any problems. Anyway I turned the bulb and it locked in place and turned on fine. I installed the mounting legs and the bulb cover and placed it on the tank. I thought it was working great.

I'm thinking it was just a defective fixture. Well I'm hoping that's all it was. I will for sure be checking out the replacement and making sure those white end pieces are properly aligned allowing the bulbs to fit snugly in place.

I'd like to add that I don't blame THATFISHPLACE. They didn't manufacturer it and I do understand that I should have kept the box. (Making note for future reference--keep larger odd shape boxes for longer period of time). At this point I am confident that THATFISHPLACE will send my replacement/and refund in a speedy fashion and that the bad fixture was just a fluke....I HOPE! I cringe thinking what could have happened!!!! :eek3:

I must have been a bit paranoid afterwards cuz my teenager had turned the tea kettle on I started calling out SOMETHINGS BURNING AGAIN---I smell it! He says CHILL MOM....the tanks aren't of fire it's just the tea kettle....... :lol: