Tropical Fish Forum
Tropical Fish Keeping Help and Advice => Fish Tanks and Equipment => Topic started by: brecon on January 12, 2014, 05:59:28 PM
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Just wondering if anyone has had the same experience with their lighting bars. Would have had to replace the one in my tank for the 3rd in 5 years but for our friendly local electrician. The problem is the ballast unit for the tubes keeps blowing and I really was not prepared to pay out over £100 again for another new unit. Looked at the DIY repair on the net and really did like to sound of the fix that was offered. Anyway he stripped out all the old unit and and lighting connections and I let him have a Starter unit for 2x 25w that I had so all the electrics are now on the outside behind the tank and can be easily managed. He has sealed all the cuts he made with aquarium silicone and the unit now works a treat. Also put in some connectors that if the starter unit goes wrong all I need to do is buy a new starter and change over the connectors. Just seems that these are built to go wrong every few years. Total cost £15.00 + the starter unit that I was given some time back. I think long term I will look for a lighting set that sits on the rim or hangs above the tank, but for now I am happy with the repair
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Juwel tanks' lighting can be a pain, especially the T8 ones with a red sticker under the bar. They are notorious for the ballast going. Mine went just out of guarantee.
It sounds as though you have found one solution a lot cheaper than a new bar! I've heard of other people cutting the bar open to fit a new ballast but I'd always be scared of not resealing it properly.