Problems

[Triggerfish31]

I have finally finished filling my 75 gallon tank with RO/DI water. I installed my three power heads and double checked my T-5 lighting system and everything looked alright. I plugged one of the two ballast in the socket and it blew creating a small spark. There must be an easier way to do this. The wire connecting the ballast to the socket were freyed. I have one ballast left and nothing happened. I really do not have the money to replace ballasts on and off. Can anyone give me a suggestion on what to do? The light were working several weeks ago.

 

Aaron

[HowardofNOVA]

Aaron,

So far you have no fish in your tank correct?

-I'm hoping you don't?

Unplug the ballast and let your tank cycle without it for now, you don't need nor want it to if your still cycling the tank. We have several electrician types in the group, hopefully one will chime in soon for you.

Do you KNOW electrical basics YET? ...you will!

You might be lucky and the unit only shorted out, possibly not, but it might need re-wired again! (UNPLUGGED OF COURSE!!!)

Where do you live?

What do you have in your tank except water?

[Guest FZ1Rider]

I have finally finished filling my 75 gallon tank with RO/DI water. I installed my three power heads and double checked my T-5 lighting system and everything looked alright. I plugged one of the two ballast in the socket and it blew creating a small spark. There must be an easier way to do this. The wire connecting the ballast to the socket were freyed. I have one ballast left and nothing happened. I really do not have the money to replace ballasts on and off. Can anyone give me a suggestion on what to do? The light were working several weeks ago.

 

Aaron

 

The freyed wire should be cut off and resoldered to the balast. If you can get some shrink wrap arround that wire after the solder that would be good as well. The other balast needs to be checked. Where do you live? I'm in Alexandria and while IANAE I do a lot of soldering and wiring around my house so I can probably do the repair for you. PM me if you are close by and want me to take a look at some point.

 

I agree with the no need for lighting right now. I was using 10 year old florescent lights on mine during the cycle just because I wanted to look around.

 

Peter

[dbartco]

And make sure you have this on a GFI!!!! If not, you can get a plug in gfi protector for only a few bones.

 

Do post you location, someone could take a look.

[Triggerfish31]

I am located in NW DC near the intersection of Connecticut Ave. and Nebraska Ave. At this time I do not have salt water in the tank since I just filled it up with RO/DI water and added the powerheads. I wired the lighting system myself and can use some help from someone with electrical knowledge. Thanks for the replies. The best time for anyone to take a look at my set up would be after Easter. Anytime next week or next weekend.

 

 

Aaron

[jason the filter freak]

Wow with that avatar I mistook you for another long time standing member. I've started to have one of my balasts hummm so I think I'll follow along here. I'm not too shabby with soldier and an heat gun for shrink wrapping, I think there are closer more exp members though.