Busted/Blown PC Fixture. Fixable?

[LordsSoilder]

Hi,

I've got a 48'' PC light system. It uses the typical 4x65w setup w/moons... There are 3 cords and a switch to each

Today my set of actinics went out and I took the fixture ends off to check for a bad connection but found nothing wrong... I moved the lights arround to make sure it wasnt the bulbs and they were fine.

I don't know alot about lighting systems and didn't know if its worth replacing the balast inside or if I should ebay the system as a 2x65w used system and take what ever money I get and apply it to a new set of lights...

Also, what is better VHO or PC. If I have to switch up Im not sure if I want PC again I'd like to find the most bang for my buck... and unfourtunately my buck isn't very big, if you know what I mean...

Thanks ahead of time

 

[fsn77]

VHO is better than PC... by far.

Do you know that the ballast is the problem with fixture? It's possible to have a short or loose wire, which are fairly easy fixes. Replacing the ballast isn't expensive or hard at all, as long as you can locate a replacement. You wouldn't necessarily need to buy a ballast made specifically for that fixture, just one that would fit within the area designed to hold the ballast.

Personally, I wouldn't sell the unit on eBay... I doubt you'd get much for it unless it was from someone local. The shipping on a 4' fixture is pretty pricey, which in itself can be discouraging enough to keep the bidding low.

Edit...
If you're going to spend the money to upgrade lighting, you could get more flexibility out of a T5 HO fixture than VHOs (do they still make VHO fixtures, or are they all just retrofits?). There's more bulb choices (color spectrum) that are readily available for T5s now, making a T5 HO lighting system easily customizeable to make your tank look the way you want it to (more white, more blue, etc.).