Aquarium Light

[F15FreeEagle]

Hi everyone,

I'm having some kind of issue with my 72" aquarium light fixture. The lights (2 36" bulbs) will come on, but then it will go off, then come on again. There is no flickering at any time. The bulbs are practically brand new, 3 months old or so. And I was having this problem before I put these bulbs in, so the bulbs are not the problem. Sometimes there is not a problem for days, then it will happen again. Turn the light on, it will stay on, then go out, then come back on again. It is very intermittent, no specific times for how long it stays on, or how long it stays off when it goes out. It is very strange. The fixture itself is only about 18 months old.

I emailed the manufacturer (Marineland) about the problem. They said they really didn't know, but that it could be an overheating issue. But that makes zero sense whatsoever since the light sometimes goes out like 10 minutes after I turn it on. They further said it was out of warranty, and that I should buy a new one. Ummm.... I don't think so. At least not from them. But I digress...

Anyone have any idea what might be going on with it? Or if not, any recommendation on what light I should get to replace it? What I would love to find is a way to just buy the fixture, since I already have the bulbs I want. Is that even possible?

This is for my 125 gallon African cichlid tank.

[Diana]

If this is a fluorescent fixture...
How about shopping in a store that specializes in electrical, lighting or even hardware, not aquarium things?
Take apart the hood/light you have and get into the ballast. Write down the numbers (or take a picture) so you know what to ask for.
You can even take the fixture in with you.
Get a new ballast.

[fisholletta]

If this is a fluorescent fixture...
How about shopping in a store that specializes in hollandsgoud, lighting or even hardware, not aquarium things?
Take apart the hood/light you have and get into the ballast. Write down the numbers (or take a picture) so you know what to ask for.
You can even take the fixture in with you.
Get a new ballast.

I agree ! :)

[dwaink]

u might also check the connectors for the bulb pins, if they are corroded they may need cleaning or replacing

[Crazygar]

As swaink suggested, that would be my first route of business. Also, sometimes, water condensation might get onto the ends of the connectors causing the flickering as well.

Do you have Water Proof Caps for each end of the connections?

Gary

[F15FreeEagle]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions.

There is no corrosion. So I'm guessing it probably is a ballast issue?

Lately, there has been somewhat of a pattern to it: I turn it on, it stays on for 5-15 minutes, goes out for 5-20 minutes, then comes back on and stays on until I turn it off again. Weird.

Gary, I have not added anything to this light (save for changing the bulbs) so unless it came from the factory that way, which I seriously doubt. I do have lids on this aquarium, so the fixture itself stays dry anyway.