sound like a ballast?

[BewareOfButtlice]

so i wake up this morning and switch on my actinic lights and lay back down for a few while i wake up... After about 5-10 minutes, they turn off. If i flip the switch off and back on it does nothing. After waiting another 5-10 minutes, i can turn the actinic lights back on but they will switch back off in 5-10 minutes. They worked fine yesterday and before that even. The 10k lights work great. I'm guessing its a ballast since these things seem pretty simple but i would like a few extra opinions before i go out and order stuff!

I need to know if i should replace the whole fixture or get a new ballast. My lighting fixture is the Coralife Aqualight Deluxe 53106 48".

Hopefully i dont have to replace the whole thing seeing as i just ordered my new RO/DI system last night which i promptly canceled after finding out my actinic lights dont work this morning. ERR!

I have no corals so nothing to worry about there

 

[o2manyfish]

Can you switch the bulbs between the actinic and 10k and see if the ballast will run the 10k bulbs ?

Changing the ballast is a pretty simple task. Is the ballast within the lighting hood or is it a separate brick on the floor?

Dave B

 

[BewareOfButtlice]

Just switched them and they work fine on the other switch. I put them back to the other switch (just as they were) and now they're working just fine... lol odd. Still could be a ballast? Maybe i should open it up tonight after the lights have been off for a while.

The ballasts are internal. Not sure how many or if they're a dual or single channel ballast though.

 

[o2manyfish]

Is there a fan that cools the ballasts that has gotten dirty?

Could have just been a bad contact on one of the bulb tips and buy switching the bulbs you've made a better connection.

Dave B