offminded

Hey Guys...


I had a bit of a crisis this morning...my light fixture went out in two sections! My 10kk lights are not working...something is wrong witht he ballast...or says customer service...anyway...what should I do?? My actinic bulbs are working, but not the 10kk. I left the actinic lights on...anyone have any ideas?

agsansoo

Refresh my memory again. What type of lights are they ? PC, T5 are MH ?

offminded

T5 HO 216 total watts

agsansoo

First thing I would do is swap out the 10K's with the actinic bulbs. That's if they are the same wattage. What's the name brand on the ballast ?

offminded

Its the Current Nova Extreme...the two "light sockets" don't work at all. So right now all i have on are 2 54 watt 460 nm bulbs running.

offminded

since only two lights are working...should i go with 1 actinic and 1 10 kk bulb for now?

agsansoo

Did you try switching out the bulbs ?

offminded

yeah...the bulbs weren't the problem. i called DFS and they said it was a ballast issue...they are going to send me a new one. if that doesn't work, i'll call them and the light company for a whole new set. what should i do in the mean time. i don't have any coral or anything so i know that i don't need all the light. i have 3 chromis, 2 clowns, live rock, and a cleaner shrimp...oh yeah...one free green mushroom...any ideas for the meantime?

agsansoo

You should swap the bulbs so you have white lights. Or one white, one actinic running until you replace the bad ballast. You have four bulbs right ?

offminded

i have 4 bulbs...i'll replace one actinic bulb with one 10kk. thanks for your help...i hope it works!

agsansoo

You should have two ballast. The company (Current USA)should replace the bad ballast, no charge on a new fixture. That happen to me to. The LFS were I purchased the fixture replaced the ballast no charge. I did have to leave the fixture with him overnight.

offminded

DFS is sending me one...we'll see how it goes. is it difficult to install myself?

agsansoo

Very basic ! Like 3 or 4 wires.

offminded

it's just twisting the wires together...no soldering, right?

agsansoo

Yes ! twisting. You can always solder and use shrink tubing ! You are safe with just twist caps, because your ballast is enclosed in your fixture !

offminded

ok...sweet!