Is my light fried, or just new bulbs?

[loans_n_fishes]

My t-5 light no longer lights up the daylight bulbs (2 of them), but the actinics light up ok. I know I am due for new bulbs anyway, but do you think that both of them burned out at the same time, or the connection is bad? If one burns out, does the other automatically not light up? There were no "hot" smells or popping noises when it went out--just one day did not light up anymore.

[jrsatx20]

move the plugs from the actinics to the daylight to see if they light up. that will give u a place to start looking. if not start at the plug to the wall n work the way up. plug,switch,connections,ballast

[texmex]

try switching bulbs with the actinics

[caferacermike]

If it is a Jebo/Oddysea/Coralife then I'd say that your ballast may be bad. I've had that happen to several of my friends that run those brands. always replaced with Workhorse7 ballasts. One day you'd only get one side to light up.

[loans_n_fishes]

Arrgh! It's the connection! I am having this problem with my seahorse tank and fresh water tank, too. What am I doing wrong? The seahorse and fresh water just have your ultra cheapo run of the mill light bars that come with tanks. I can't remember who makes the reef light. I'm not quite sure how I go about replacing the ballast, or maybe just cleaning off the wires?? I will have to look more closely later. I'm so bummed.

[loans_n_fishes]

probably a stupid question...but I assume there are 2 ballasts in my light. Would I need to replace both, or can I just get one great one to run both sets of bulbs?

[technomex]

I had two t-5's go out on my maristar fixture. I thought it was the ballast, but it ened up being the bulbs. Moving the plugs would make them light up momentarily, but in the end, the bulbs were bad. Move your good bulbs to the "bad" side....see what happens. Also, some LFS have places where you could test your bulbs.

[caferacermike]

Most ballasts can handle a variety of bulb combinations. Your fixture will generally have one ballasts for up to 4 flouro bulbs.