VHO Troubleshooting- HELP!!

CookieJen · 03/08/2010, 12:23 PM

I really need help guys!

I have a 96w VHO Sunpq dual ballast retrofit. I needed to repalce my bulbs badly and finally did so this weekend.

On Friday I replaced the Actinic- Bought a 96w Hamiltion Tech. It fired up right away. The lights were shut down overnight and when I tired to turn them on in the AM, The Actinic would only light 1/2 way and it wasnt a bright penetrating light. I figured it was defective and went on down to the LFS. It worked there, but they gave me a replacement anyway. I also bought my 10K at that time.

Then, when I got home the Actinic worked but the 10k didnt. I thought one of the cables was coroded (upon visual inspection there wasnt any obvious corosion) and swapped the cables around in every different configuration trying to see where the issue was. ( ie swapped out at the ballast and light connection in every way possible)

During my swapping the 10k worked but the Actinic didnt. I continued to swap to try to get the actinic lit again but to no avail.....

PLEASE give me some hints. I have no clue whats wrong. Its not the balast because its getting power and its not the bulbs - I dont think......

The original lights had no problem (except age) and now Im losing my mind...

I have corals and a Carpet aneome that are all healthy and am seriously worried!!

CookieJen · 03/08/2010, 02:16 PM

UPDATE:

Called the manufacturer and they said their actinic lights need more power than other brands. ***?? how does that work?? I have a 96W ballast receiving 110V of electricty with a 96W bulb... shouldnt it all be the same???

Please help! These bulbs only need to last till june then Im upgrading to t-5...

luther1200 · 03/08/2010, 03:57 PM

I would just take the bulb back and get the same brand you had the last time if you can.

03/08/2010, 12:23 PM	#1
CookieJen Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: The Valley & SCV, CA Posts: 5	VHO Troubleshooting- HELP!! I really need help guys! I have a 96w VHO Sunpq dual ballast retrofit. I needed to repalce my bulbs badly and finally did so this weekend. On Friday I replaced the Actinic- Bought a 96w Hamiltion Tech. It fired up right away. The lights were shut down overnight and when I tired to turn them on in the AM, The Actinic would only light 1/2 way and it wasnt a bright penetrating light. I figured it was defective and went on down to the LFS. It worked there, but they gave me a replacement anyway. I also bought my 10K at that time. Then, when I got home the Actinic worked but the 10k didnt. I thought one of the cables was coroded (upon visual inspection there wasnt any obvious corosion) and swapped the cables around in every different configuration trying to see where the issue was. ( ie swapped out at the ballast and light connection in every way possible) During my swapping the 10k worked but the Actinic didnt. I continued to swap to try to get the actinic lit again but to no avail..... PLEASE give me some hints. I have no clue whats wrong. Its not the balast because its getting power and its not the bulbs - I dont think...... The original lights had no problem (except age) and now Im losing my mind... I have corals and a Carpet aneome that are all healthy and am seriously worried!!

03/08/2010, 03:57 PM	#3
luther1200 Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: NJ, shore Posts: 4,376	I would just take the bulb back and get the same brand you had the last time if you can. __________________ Matt, 65G reef tank Current Tank Info: 65g reef, mix of sps, lps, few softies. Hoping to upgrade within the year.

03/08/2010, 02:16 PM	#2
CookieJen Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: The Valley & SCV, CA Posts: 5	UPDATE: Called the manufacturer and they said their actinic lights need more power than other brands. ***?? how does that work?? I have a 96W ballast receiving 110V of electricty with a 96W bulb... shouldnt it all be the same??? Please help! These bulbs only need to last till june then Im upgrading to t-5...