Help with aquarium ballast

[ceejayt2k]

HI everyone,

I have an eclipse 5 gallon tank and the light is not working properly. I turn the lights on and only the ends of the bulb light up. I start turning the bulb itself and then the lights turn on fully. Once I let go, the middle of the bulb goes dark but the ends still lit. I turn off the light then turn it on but still the ends light up. Does anyone know what is wrong? Is there some type of connection problem I am having with the ballast?

Thanks in advance,

ceejay

 

[Redearsunfish]

My guess would be the tube, not the fixture.

 

[ar0wan]

+1 it's definatly the bulb
with a bad ballast you might get buzzing
but there will be no light
usually they are completely dead IME

 

[ceejayt2k]

My guess would be the tube, not the fixture.

thanks everyone for the response.

So it's the bulb not the fixture? I am just curious since the entire light itself worked when I spun it around and once i stopped the light flickered and only th side ofth bulb worked. any other suggestions?