No Lights!

[swimswim]

Hi

I have just come down stairs to find the lights on my Juwel 180 tank have gone out! Will this mean a whole new bar or can anyone recommend any trouble shooting first? (Ive already tried a different socket etc)

Thanks

 

[Tommy Gunnz]

I am not positive, but usually a typical florecent bulb will look like it is sort of burned or black on each end if it has burned out. If the bulb looks like it did when you got it (meaning all white), then you may have an issue with the hood itself.

I think you could ask a LFS to pop your bulb in one of their hoods or something to check it out. I have done this at a Petco one time, but I was trying to see the difference between two brands of lights. If not, maybe it would be cheaper to buy a bulb first to see if it will work.

I also would note that it could be possible for more than one bulb to burn out at the same time, if that your set up have multiple bulbs. Often times in florecent lights like you would find in a shop or a large building one bulb will burn out and there is a surge of electricity sent to the other bulb(s) and they will burn out as well.

Again, I am not the expert on light bulbs, especially for fish tanks, but I have seen this happen in other types of florecent bulbs, including the ones that 'screw in' like a normal light bulb.

 

[mr.dark-saint]

Since you didn't mention if this has a "Ballast" or a "Starter" (and I'm not familiar with this Juwel 180).

First off I'd check to make sure it's "clicked on" and has power going in to it (I know just covering the basics). Some wall plug has a wall switch that'll trip it on and off (I got one in my place that does that) it's just weird . Now if there is power going in to it disconnect the power (wouldn't want you to get fried). Pop the top and see if there is a "Starter" (not the kind you order before the main meal) it'll be a small aluminum camera film container looking thing (some times it's white). Now turn it counter clockwise until it pops loose (or was it loose already?) clean off the contacts (two button terminals and blow in to the hole and try not spitting in to it ). Then shake it and replace it clockwise. Now hook the power back to it and see if that did it. If not then go to your local electrical supply shops and get one (less than a quid or a buck). Re-install it and it should kick back on.

Now if it's the ballast that black twinkie looking thing that gets hot (if it's working it should be hot). Then you may have to buy a new one. You can replace it if you're comfortable with wiring (if not have some "pro" do it so you can blame them when the place catches fire ). Seriously it's usually three wires (sometimes it's only two). But there is a diagram and color coded wires.

Then there is a small Christmas bulb looking thing that works like a "Starter" (if this is "smoked" it'll be burnt looking with a flashed silver). This too can be replaced but it involves soldering. A bit of a solder and a soldering gun/torch/pen thing. You may have to search for that one but most electrical lighting joint has them or can order it for you. In a pinch you can get the film canistar looking starter and substitute it. Just loop one terminal with one side of the wire and do the same to it on the other terminal. BE SURE YOU DON'T HAVE LOOSE WIRES TOUCHING BOTH TERMINALS HERE (as in dangling bare wire on one another) neatness here is a good thing.

While you're in there check the contact points on the bulb and the strip to make sure its not crispified (as in a bit of burnt) or the contacts melting. But my money's on the starter since the bulbs will generally go dim or flicker and pulse instead of going out completely.