Reefbrite left side stopped working

[Max93]

Just my luck when my acros are thriving my halide stops working. I think it’s the ballast but I’m not sure.

I have the 36” reefbrite with 400w ballasts/bulbs.
I only THINK it’s the ballast… I don’t know how to test it.

first I tested the bulb, added a new bulb and nothing. The right bulb works fine it’s the left one that doesn’t turn on so half of my tank is lit.

I ordered a new ballast online with overnight shipping of course I’m going to be out of town in two days.

it’ll get here Thursday and I leave Thursday so hoping it gets here.
How do I know it’s truly the ballast that’s my issue v

 

[vetteguy53081]

Just my luck when my acros are thriving my halide stops working. I think it’s the ballast but I’m not sure.

I have the 36” reefbrite with 400w ballasts/bulbs.
I only THINK it’s the ballast… I don’t know how to test it.

first I tested the bulb, added a new bulb and nothing. The right bulb works fine it’s the left one that doesn’t turn on so half of my tank is lit.

I ordered a new ballast online with overnight shipping of course I’m going to be out of town in two days.

it’ll get here Thursday and I leave Thursday so hoping it gets here.
How do I know it’s truly the ballast that’s my issue v

Yeah, usually ballast. If not- diodes.

 

[Max93]

Just confirmed I switched the cords around and the left turns on. Definitely the ballast. How in the world did this thing die out after only 8 months…. I emailed reefbrite and ordered a new ballast in the meantime. Guess I gotta have backup ballasts too

 

[Hurricane Aquatics]

Just confirmed I switched the cords around and the left turns on. Definitely the ballast. How in the world did this thing die out after only 8 months…. I emailed reefbrite and ordered a new ballast in the meantime. Guess I gotta have backup ballasts too

If you bought it new, I'm sure they'll replace it for you. Things happen to electronics. I have 2 250w ReefBrite ballasts and a 36 inch Reef Brite fixture as well. I'm sure you know that the fixture will utilize 250w and 400w bulbs. Of course that would need different ballasts.

From what I've heard, Reef Brite has good customer service. If you're going to be away, how about moving the one side to cover all of the tank until you get back? Not a great situation, but will supply them with lighting until you return. I'm sure they'll be fine.

To add, we had an 8 hour power outage April 1st and I kept a powerhead running, but the temp dropped about 5 or 6 degrees in the tank. I noticed no ill effects until a few days ago. My prized ORA Voodoo Acro started RTNing...... I had to frag it. Thankfully, no colonies were affected.

 

[Max93]

If you bought it new, I'm sure they'll replace it for you. Things happen to electronics. I have 2 250w ReefBrite ballasts and a 36 inch Reef Brite fixture as well. I'm sure you know that the fixture will utilize 250w and 400w bulbs. Of course that would need different ballasts.

From what I've heard, Reef Brite has good customer service. If you're going to be away, how about moving the one side to cover all of the tank until you get back? Not a great situation, but will supply them with lighting until you return. I'm sure they'll be fine.

To add, we had an 8 hour power outage April 1st and I kept a powerhead running, but the temp dropped about 5 or 6 degrees in the tank. I noticed no ill effects until a few days ago. My prized ORA Voodoo Acro started RTNing...... I had to frag it. Thankfully, no colonies were affected.

You’re right that things do happen to electronics. I contacted reefbrite and they want me to go ahead and mail them the damaged ballast

hopefully the one I ordered gets here early tomorrow so I can get it going before I leave.
Great idea on the moving of the fixture, today I switched the ballast about halfway through.