My Ballast is Bad.... Help!

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Willz

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Feb 9, 2011
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Roanoke VA
Hello,

I just added a used 48" power compact to my tank yesterday and today when the timer kicked on this morning only one half of the lights went on (the 10K's work, the actinic don't). I was on my way to work and didn't have time to trouble shoot, but if it isn't the bulbs (they are supposedly new), I am wanting to know if this ballast will work on my light?

Here is a link to the light I have:

http://www.saltwatertogo.com/aquari...-fixtures/48-4x65-watt-coralife-aqualite.html

And here is the ballast I was hoping would be what I need to replace:

http://www.amazon.com/Coralife-Aqualight-Ballast-2X65W-Model/dp/B001I05O48

I have the old light (T5 x 2) that I took off yesterday, but I need to get this fixed so if anyone is familiar with this stuff please let me know so I can go ahead and order it.

Thanks!

Will
 
Yup that ballast will work. :D

I had 2 fail in a cheap CF fixture also. I feel your pain...

That's a good fixture though. How old is it, did the PO say when he bought it? Was it sitting high enough off the tank? I think that's how I blew mine....was too close to the glass cover...:(
 
Just be sure to check the generic OEM brands (meaning Phillips, GE, etc) for ballasts, too. I'd guess that they're the ones who manufacture those ballasts, anyway, and Coralife just rebrands it. I know my T(8? 5? I don't remember...) that could handle up to 2x 4' normal fluorescent bulbs only cost me ~$17. I'm sure PCs will be more expensive, but $60 seems a bit much, I have a feeling you're paying for name brand. I could be totally wrong. But my Phillips "Advanced(TM)" electronic ballast has lasted a long time (DIY fixture, no extra waterproofing or anything), comes on instantly and is dead silent. Had it powering 2x 2' bulbs. Total cost including bulbs, fixture materials, and ballast was maybe $35.
 
Awesome. I'm going to switch the bulbs tonight to make sure it's the ballast. I emailed coralife, but I have a feeling I may be waiting for a while to hear back from them, so thanks for the quick answer :)

I don't know how old it is. He was using a 400W metal halide (that he sold me too) on the tank when I bought it from him. He told me he had replaced the bulbs before he got the MH light so that's why I'm thinking ballast. When I set it up, I bought 4 PVC couplings to keep it up away from the glass because I figured it would get too hot as well.

I have one colony of zoas and one leather coral frag, so I'm thinking I'm ok for a couple of days under 10K lighting until I can get the actinics back up and running. Sound OK? I can always put the T5s back on there if they absolutely need actinics. The room gets a little indirect sunlight too.
 
gilamonsterz said:
Just be sure to check the generic brands (meaning Phillips, GE, etc) for ballasts, too. I know my T(8? 5? I don't remember...) that could handle up to 2x 4' normal fluorescent bulbs only cost me ~$17. I'm sure PCs will be more expensive, but $60 seems a bit much, I have a feeling you're paying for name brand. I could be totally wrong. But my Phillips "Advanced(TM)" electronic ballast has lasted a long time (DIY fixture, no extra waterproofing or anything), comes on instantly and is dead silent. Had it powering 2x 2' bulbs. Total cost including bulbs, fixture materials, and ballast was maybe $35.
Click to expand...

I'll look for an ANSI number on the ballast once I crack it open tonight. From my limited research today, it sounds like as long as the ANSI number lines up they are interchangeable, is that right? Good call on looking for a cheaper option :)
 
Willz said:
I'll look for an ANSI number on the ballast once I crack it open tonight. From my limited research today, it sounds like as long as the ANSI number lines up they are interchangeable, is that right? Good call on looking for a cheaper option :)
Click to expand...

I know that with normal fluorescents it just comes down to wattage and length of the bulb (voltage in general. but they don't list voltage in a useful way.). As long as the fixture can power your bulb (No big deal if it goes a little over. Just don't under power it, you'll get flickering/snaking), you're good. and make sure it'll fit in the fixture, heh.
 
Gotcha. I just got a reply from Coralife! They are on top of their game. The ballast I posted is the right one. They said to check the model number printed on the ballast once I take the light apart, but most of them use the ballast above.

I looked into finding a generic ballast, but I can't find one that matches my wattage 65Wx2. I think most of the ballasts online are for commercial applications. If anyone knows a good place to find odd ballasts for aquariums, I'm all ears :)
 
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