VHOs just stopped working (1 Viewer)

[Guest]

On my 80G I have 2 14K MH and 440W of VHOs. I came home tonight and the VHOs wont come on. Just my luck, the ballast is probably F___ up. I have tried unplugging it and plugging it back in but nothing. I know one thing now, MHs are definetly just for decoration if they are 14K. All my corals including my anemone are looking terrible now that the VHOs are out. I just ordered 4 new bulbs last night too. Life sux.

Eric

 

[Guest]

What ballast is it, how old is it, and how is it wired? If it is wired in series, then 1 bad bulb can cause the whole system not to light.

 

[Guest]

Its the 660 and it is wired for 4 bulbs. I am using old bulbs until my new ones come in, but what if it is the fuse. Where do I get another one? Why wont my corals come out with my 2 (250W) MH's on? Its like they are just decoration or something and the corals arent getting enough light. Anyway, the question is the fuse, where do I get another one? How do I know its screwed up? Thanks

Eric

 

[Guest]

Update, checking to see if everything is wired correctly. One MH is a fat Hamilton 14K and the other one is a cheap $30.00 14K MH bulb. So at least I have one good bulb that my corals should be liking, but they arent. I think the best thing to do now is get those ushios or whatever you guys talk about and supplement them with actinic vhos.

Eric

 

[Guest]

Its the fuse. We took the fuse out and it was fried. Went to Lowes and got 2 of the exact same kind and blew those as well. Dont know why these fuses are blowing.

Eric

 

[djreef]

It may have had something to do with the storms we had a couple of days ago - don't feel bad my buddy lost a dryer and a hot water heater in that mess.

DJ
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[Guest]

djreef,

How would storms a couple of days ago affect the fuses today? By the way that sucks about your friend. I would be quite angry.

Eric

 

[cparka23]

you might try a higher rated fuse. granted, it is a little besides the point of having fuses in the first place, but perhaps something for just a little higher amperage.

 

[Guest]

cparka,

If I were to go to a 10 I dont think it is the exact same specifications as the 7 that is in the icecap now. Is that ok? Will going to a higher amperage ruin the ballast? Thanks

Eric

 

[ShaneV]

I wouldnt put a higher amp fuse in it, ifts blowing fuses there is probally a reason.

Do you know anyone else with an icecap you can borrow to determine wether its your ballast or your bulbs,etc?

Icecap has a great warranty, if its the ballast Im sure you can find someone to let you borrow one while you wait for yours to be repaired.

 

[djreef]

Eric,

repeated exposure to surges weakens electronics over the time. The surges brought on by the storms might have been enough to weaken the internal components of the ballast. It sounds like you have an internal grounding problem (a short). Either that, or you have a short in one of your caps. If the ballast is still under warranty I'd send it back, like Shane says.

DJ
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[Guest]

I got it a while ago, I think the warranty is 3 years. On the other hand, with the VHO's gone, why are my corals(star polyps) closed under my 14K MH 250's? That should be all the light I need dont you think for an 80G?

Eric

 

[djreef]

That is odd. I would think that the MH would be enough. Must have something to do with the color/intensity spread. They may not be used to it.

DJ
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[BrianPlankis]

How old are the MH bulbs? If they are past their recommended usage their output could be low or not in the right wavelengths.

 

[Guest]

They are both new. Actually one is a hamilton 14K and the other is a cheapie. All my corals are out now withouth the VHOs. It just takes longer now. What we are going to do is unplug the wires to the endcaps of the vho bulbs from the ballast put in a 7amp fuse and plug it in to see if it blows. If it does we know there is something wrong with the ballast. If not, we will re-wire the VHOs. Thanks for the input guys.

Eric