lighting help

[jokersplayground]

ok i just got 400w m/h. it turns on like normal but then after 20-30min it just turns off and i cant figure it out. any help would be great

 

[jokersplayground]

i figured it out. my house does not give enough voltage for it to be on at the same time as my ac

 

[dannyp02908]

That would be amperage, not voltage. Do you own? When I was running halides I actually ran brand new dedicated circuit just for the lights. Since I've gone to LEDs I use that circuit for other things besides lights.

 

[jokersplayground]

That would be amperage, not voltage. Do you own? When I was running halides I actually ran brand new dedicated circuit just for the lights. Since I've gone to LEDs I use that circuit for other things besides lights.

no i dont own i rent. how do i go about doing that

 

[dz6t]

If the breaker trips when the halide just turned on (draw a lot more amp when starting), it is the circuit. But it sounds like a faulty ballast to me. It is a common problem when a ballast is old and dying.

 

[jokersplayground]

If the breaker trips when the halide just turned on (draw a lot more amp when starting), it is the circuit. But it sounds like a faulty ballast to me. It is a common problem when a ballast is old and dying.

i have a pfo ballest

 

[dannyp02908]

I would also agree with dong on the faulty ballast if the circuit isn't breaking.

In regards to asking how you add a dedicated circuit, the fact that you had to ask means you don't. One, you don't own so it is not legal. 2, if you had to ask, it means you hire an electrician. Maybe if you talk to your landlord, he may be willing to have a circuit added. He may make you cover the cost. It is also going to depend. If your box is already maxxed out, then it wont be feasible as it is very expensive for a service upgrade.

 

[dz6t]

PFO is out of business for a long time, they made magnetic ballasts which had a limited life time. Based on how long they were gone, your ballast is most likely went bad already.

 

[jokersplayground]

dang that sucks ok so back to square one

 

[dannyp02908]

you can probably find an electronic ballast on craigslist from an herb grower for cheap.

 

[jokersplayground]

i think im just gunna buy a brand new one

 

[Joshbd]

I just posted an ad for a 250W Icecap electronic ballast in the FS forum. All yours for the price of a small frag or two, if possible. If not possible, you can just have it anyway. Oh, also, I'm looking for a chunk of chaeto that's got a bunch healthy pods. Pm me if interested, located in Somerville. Thanks!

 

[Spaceman]

WOOOO Joker just saw this!!!! my bad the ballest is tost i used it the last month for 4hrs a day! worked great wife saw electric bill so i gave to you for a frag. any time you can let me know so i can give u some frags for your trouble.... thought u just wanted the reflector only the 400w on a 60 is nuts!!!

 

[jokersplayground]

WOOOO Joker just saw this!!!! my bad the ballest is tost i used it the last month for 4hrs a day! worked great wife saw electric bill so i gave to you for a frag. any time you can let me know so i can give u some frags for your trouble.... thought u just wanted the reflector only the 400w on a 60 is nuts!!!

i have it 2' from the water. but now i have to have it o the tank my 250 just blew last night when i put it back over the tank

 

[dz6t]

I have two used 250w bulbs you can have.

 

[dz6t]

Agree with Spaceman that 400w is way too much for a shallow tank (I think yours is a 60 gallon frag tank). It will induce photo inhibition on a lot of coral including SPS.