My lights aren't working!!!

[kelly4687]

Has this ever happened to anyone? I switched out the old bulbs that came with the tank last week. I have a total of 4 on my 55 gallon. I have 2 blue actinic, 1 white and 1 50/50. All of a sudden it's not working when they are the same bulbs that came with the tank!!!
It comes on for like 5-10 minutes and then shuts off. I am not great at electric things, did I do something wrong?? Help!

 

[keith burn]

Originally Posted by kelly4687
http:///forum/post/2949019
Has this ever happened to anyone? I switched out the old bulbs that came with the tank last week. I have a total of 4 on my 55 gallon. I have 2 blue actinic, 1 white and 1 50/50. All of a sudden it's not working when they are the same bulbs that came with the tank!!!
It comes on for like 5-10 minutes and then shuts off. I am not great at electric things, did I do something wrong?? Help!
flip flop the bulbs and see if thay come back on .

 

[kelly4687]

I did, my fingers hurt from mixing them all up. I have no idea what to do next.

 

[bdhb12]

Got a short or water on electronics? Fuse anywhere in that setup?

 

[kelly4687]

I did have a spill a few weeks ago. I went to change the filter and I forgot to close the valves...yea I know - but it was a bad day to begin with. It didn't spill on top of the wires, but the box that the switch was on had some water under it but there are no seams for water to go in it...so I thought I would be good. What should I do?

 

[keith burn]

best bet is that it is the ballast.

 

[kelly4687]

The what?

 

[keith burn]

Originally Posted by kelly4687
http:///forum/post/2949097
The what?

the ballast it is what powers the lights.

 

[kelly4687]

Ahhh the big thing....what should I do about it? Sorry, just really sick and this all happened and I have no idea what to do!

 

[jimvette1]

Did you mention if you tried putting the old bulbs back in? Just to see if it does the same thing?
It seems unlikely to me that the ballast would go out at the same time that you changed the bulbs, but not impossible.
Are you sure that the lamps are seated correctly in their sockets?
Keep us posted on your progress.

 

[kelly4687]

I did that too. I feel like all I keep doing when I get a break is taking bulbs out and putting them back in....I am going to go back and do some more switching and putting old back in and get back to you all! Ahhh...my fingers hurt

 

[jimvette1]

You mentioned you are not electrically inclined or I would suggest checking your light sockets for voltage.
If you do this, remove the fixture from the presence of the tank or near water.

Anytime you check anything electrical you risk the danger of an electrical shock.

Do not do this unless you are very careful.

 

[jimvette1]

While you soak your fingers in ice water and give them a rest.......
Remember that if the bulbs are not seated properly in their sockets they could react in the matter that you described.

 

[kelly4687]

Okay, I just got done having a darn light bulb switching party!!!!
I do need the ice for my fingers!
I think I am putting them in right, I mean it worked last time I did it. I have no idea what I could be doing wrong. How do you guys make sure the bulbs are in the sockets right?

 

[jimvette1]

Originally Posted by kelly4687
http:///forum/post/2949203
Okay, I just got done having a darn light bulb switching party!!!!
I do need the ice for my fingers!
I think I am putting them in right, I mean it worked last time I did it. I have no idea what I could be doing wrong. How do you guys make sure the bulbs are in the sockets right?
They usually just snap straight in, some lay in and twist.
What is the brand name on your fixture and just how old is it?
When you switched to the old bulbs I assumed they also stayed on for a few minutes before going off again.
Do they come back on after a few minutes or stay off?
In your original post you did not mention why you changed the bulbs in the first place.
If the original reason was, that they were going off, then depending on the age of the fixture, the only other factor is the ballast (small transformer that supplies voltage to the lamps).They usually last for a very long time, but as with anything electrical, anything can go bad.I replaced brand new ones that were faulty.
Then maybe the "new" bulbs are bad. It can happen. If you purchased them at a LFS, take them back and have them test them. Make sure the prongs at the end of the bulbs are rigid, they should not be loose.
Long shot here, make sure the cord and plug are in good shape.
Another possibility maybe a wire came loose inside the fixture, under the cover where the ballast is located.
Only check this with the fixture unplugged for safety reasons.
Whew, now I need to soak my fingers in some ice water.