75 Gal ( 48 inch t-8 Bulb ) ballast issue

[JOE.G]

Hi, I habve a twin bulb 48 inch T-8 Fish tank hood. I am having some issues, the two old bulbs ( At least 10 years old ) 1 of them is flickering, I order new bulbs and both of them flicker . SO I have 1 old bulb that works and it works in either spot.

Does this sound like a bulb issue or a ballast issue?

I have two Ballast each with wires coming out of them. Only thing I can make out on the ballast is F40T12 can't make anything else out.

Any ideas?

Thanks

 

[mike93lx]

A t12 ballast with t8 bulbs?

 

[JOE.G]

This hood is at least 20 Years old and the bulbs are T-8 for sure, I thought the Ballast numbers were for T 12 but the tags are hard to read.

 

[sparky 1971]

Hi, I habve a twin bulb 48 inch T-8 Fish tank hood. I am having some issues, the two old bulbs ( At least 10 years old ) 1 of them is flickering, I order new bulbs and both of them flicker . SO I have 1 old bulb that works and it works in either spot.

Does this sound like a bulb issue or a ballast issue?

I have two Ballast each with wires coming out of them. Only thing I can make out on the ballast is F40T12 can't make anything else out.

Any ideas?

Thanks

If you have T12 ballasts, you should have T12 lamps. Either put in T8 ballasts or T12 lamps. You'll be much better off putting in T8 ballasts.

 

[sparky 1971]

This hood is at least 20 Years old and the bulbs are T-8 for sure, I thought the Ballast numbers were for T 12 but the tags are hard to read.

It's kind of hard to mistake an 8 for a 12.

 

[JOE.G]

I bought the set up used in the late 90's i have been running T-8 Bulbs since then which is the size it came with. The hood has two Ballasts and 2 Bulbs. Can you guys help me figure out what ballasts to run? The current bulbs are 40 watt but the new bulbs are 32 Watt.

 

[JOE.G]

Would a T-8 bulb even fit into T12 sockets? I never had a reason to pull the hood apart so I never looked at the Ballasts till now, The hood came with T-8 bulbs so I always used them.

 

[mm08822]

What lamps do you have?
T8 = 8/8" tube diameter
T12 = 12/8" = 1.5" tube diameter

Post pic of ballast label.

 

[sparky 1971]

I bought the set up used in the late 90's i have been running T-8 Bulbs since then which is the size it came with. The hood has two Ballasts and 2 Bulbs. Can you guys help me figure out what ballasts to run? The current bulbs are 40 watt but the new bulbs are 32 Watt.

All you have to do is match up a set. Either pick T8 or T12. Since you already have new T8 lamps, I would run to the nearest box store and grab T8 ballasts. I'd be looking to install one ballast for two lamps, but you may not be able to gain enough access through the wiring compartment depending on how its made. The easiest thing to do will be to get two ballasts, each rated for one 32 watt T8 lamp and go from there.

 

[sparky 1971]

Would a T-8 bulb even fit into T12 sockets? I never had a reason to pull the hood apart so I never looked at the Ballasts till now, The hood came with T-8 bulbs so I always used them.

The sockets don't matter.

 

[rabidsquirrel]

It would be cheaper to buy a new LED light fixture than to repair or even replace the lamps. It's safe to say you're not growing plants or corals with 10 year old lamps. You can get no name fixtures on Amazon for around $50 that would be more than sufficient for your tank.

 

[JOE.G]

I would have to take it all back apart to get pictures, I have plenty of room when it is a part. DO you guys mine posting a link to the ones I should get, One or 2 doesn't matter to me.If I use one I may just need guidance on the wiring. I have white,Blue and Black wires 3 each ballast.

I would also be open to an Led hood but I would like for it to be okay for plant life and fit my tank nicely, I am not seeing anything that fits that bill.

I do have plants but they get sun light and other plant lighting from nearby plants.

I would retrofit LED T-8 Bulbs also but not having luck finding something that would work.

 

[sparky 1971]

Here is a T8 ballast that will work with one or two T8 lamps that Home Depot carries. Don't worry about wire colors, they don't match going from T12 to T8. Follow the diagram on the ballast(s)

Philips Advance Optanium 1 or 2-Lamp T8 4 ft. Instant Start Electronic Fluorescent Replacement Ballast 520445 - The Home Depot

The Philips Advance Metal Black Optimum Ballast helps reduce lamp striation when using energy-saving lamps. This ballast features metal construction with a black finish and is UL listed. Ballast is also

www.homedepot.com

 

[JOE.G]

If one of the old bulbs work but the new and one of the old only flicker, Does that sound like more of a bulb issue or Ballast?

 

[rabidsquirrel]

I would retrofit LED T-8 Bulbs also but not having luck finding something that would work.

I'm talking about a whole new light fixture.

 

[sparky 1971]

If one of the old bulbs work but the new and one of the old only flicker, Does that sound like more of a bulb issue or Ballast?

It could be either. It sounds like you are running T12 ballasts and T8 lamps.

Edited to bring better wording to the table. I have no business trying to use a tablet to make posts. I fat finger it, then the tablet decides what word I really want to use and inserts it. Of course, I didn't have my cheaters on either.

 

[alfredeneuman]

Stupid comment deleted = I goofed yet again

 

[BillK]

SO I have 1 old bulb that works and it works in either spot.

I dont think anyone else read this part ? That sounds like both ballasts are fine and you just need to get some good bulbs.

Where did you buy them ?? My local Home Depot still has them. I bought 2 a few weeks ago for a shop light fixture at my shop. They have both T-8s and T-12s.

 

[sparky 1971]

Hi, I habve a twin bulb 48 inch T-8 Fish tank hood. I am having some issues, the two old bulbs ( At least 10 years old ) 1 of them is flickering, I order new bulbs and both of them flicker . SO I have 1 old bulb that works and it works in either s

I dont think anyone else read this part ? That sounds like both ballasts are fine and you just need to get some good bulbs.

Where did you buy them ?? My local Home Depot still has them. I bought 2 a few weeks ago for a shop light fixture at my shop. They have both T-8s and T-12s.

Some of the old T8 lamps would kind of work with T12 ballasts. The modern T8's don't.

 

[BillK]

Some of the old T8 lamps would kind of work with T12 ballasts. The modern T8's don't.

It probably would be a good idea for him to make sure which ballasts he has.

 

[mike93lx]

It probably would be a good idea for him to make sure which ballasts he has.

Crazy idea

 

[sparky 1971]

It probably would be a good idea for him to make sure which ballasts he has.

This might sound silly, but... Since he thinks he can make out F40T12 on the ballast and since that is a number for a 4' T12 lamp, me thinks he has T12 ballasts.

 

[JOE.G]

 

[JOE.G]

The Other Ballast the label is completely missing. I have no issue replacing the Ballasts with one for T-8. I didn't know they were T-12 Ballast until I opened it up and confirmed with you guys. Like I said I purchased this set up used and just replaced the bulbs with what was in there.

I may switch to a LED hood, But I need to purchase a few things to make it work and I am not sure if I care for the look of them. But I am assuming it will help my Electric bill a bit.

 

[WisJim]

In this situation, I personally would remove and bypass the ballasts and use LED tubes that replace the fluorescent tubes and don't require a ballast. Longer life, cooler operation, and light color from warm white to bright daylight should be available.

 

[JOE.G]

I would love to do that, But I am having a hard time finding LED T-8 Bulbs that work for fish tanks.

 

[sparky 1971]

I would love to do that, But I am having a hard time finding LED T-8 Bulbs that work for fish tanks.

Just go buy a couple of T8 ballasts that are capable of running one or two F32T8 lamps. It will probably be too much of a pain to wire the hood to run on one ballast so replace each existing ballast with a new. If you get two lamp ballasts, there is one wire you won't use so cap it and forget it. There will be a wiring diagram on the new ballast, use that instead of trying to match up the colors.

 

[cybrdyke]

I would love to do that, But I am having a hard time finding LED T-8 Bulbs that work for fish tanks.

DONT bypass the ballasts and use regular LED bypass tubes. Be sure that the lamps you use are specific for fish tanks. (I dont know if they even make them).

Fluorescent lamps emit ultraviolet and infrared light that are necessary. They also give off some heat that is factored in to the warmth of the tank. LED tubes dont emit these things.
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