Gutted.

[This Younger Spouse]

How long is your bulb?

I don't know how things work on your side of the Pond, but over here you can buy fluorescent light fixtures very cheaply in an array of lengths. Some are sold as under-counter kitchen lights. Longer ones (4,6 and 8 feet) are sold as workshop ceiling lights.

If those are available there, no reason one wouldn't work just fine. It'll look PDU (pretty darn ugly), but it'll work.

 

[GShorty1981]

I think the bulbs are 3ft t5s the tank itself is 4ft.

Can anybody find the Fluval/Hagen UK phone number, i have been searching for ages and can't find it.

 

[ChilliPepper]

Just get a Hagen Glo ballast and bulbs. Will work out cheaper, and you could even get T5's.

 

[GShorty1981]

What is a ballast?

And still can't find this number

 

[ChilliPepper]

What is a ballast?

And still can't find this number

http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/Hagen-Glo-Twin-T5-Electronic-Controller-54w-x-2-/280627714908?pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Fish&hash=item4156b71b5c

 

[GShorty1981]

How can i test to see if its just the bulbs gone? when t5 bulbs go, do they go POP? and is it normal for both to go at once?

I tried replacing the fuse, didn't work, but i noticed the led indicator still works when you press the power and timer buttons.

 

[minnnt]

It sounds like the ballast mate. No idea how to test the bulbs though.

 

[GShorty1981]

I'm still confused on what the ballast is, is it the 'power brick' type thing? (in my case the entire hood of the tank)

 

[CrazyAirborne]

i replaced a ballast in my 4ft T5 light unit for about £15 off ebay. the whole unit brand new is about 150, so 15 was a no brainer. definitely google DIY aquarium lighting etc and u'll fine lots cheaper ways to make ur tank light up, save yourself some money, and give urself some DIY confidence!

but like everyone has said, just get one of those Arcadia light units,

you could even get it a little shorter then the original bulb, so it will fit in the same spots, and then just figure out a way to glue or screw it in there. its really not hard and will save you lots of money. i bet if u took a pic of ur hood showing us exactly where the lights go, we could easily come up with a solution.


good luck!

I'm still confused on what the ballast is, is it the 'power brick' type thing? (in my case the entire hood of the tank)

they look like this, usually inside the center of the hood, they slide in and are connected to wires on both ends. its really straight forward.

 

[GShorty1981]

Ahh yeh thats the middle part, its about 4ft long.

I'm going to take my hood into pets at home to see if they will test a bulb for me tomorrow, if its not that, I'll take some photos and see what we can come up with