icecap ballasts & television

scbadiver

scbadiver

New member
Ok, I'm probably in a very small minority here but, I don't have cable TV, or satelite, I have these little metal sticks that pick up signals from thin air for FREE! However, since I put the 3 MH and the VHO icecap lights on the tank I get VERY poor reception. The ballasts themselves are mounted down the basement and the hood is about 5 feet from the antenna at the closest end. Anybody here have any thoughts on how to get better reception? I have tried some of the filters available and they didn't seem to help. The real strange thing though is the reception it still bad even when they are off but still plugged in..? (it is better but still poor). I can't afford a tank and cable too :) Any thoughts on fixing this? Thanks

Robbie
 
I think it's got something to do with the magnetic fields within the ballasts interfering with the cable signal. Just my $.02...I'm not at all electrically inclined.
 
Speaking of you being electrically inclined....Whats up with that LED project? I was kinda hoping to see that all lit up by now. Are you still working on it?
 
The LED project has been postponed due to a heavy work load with college. However, the tank is up, full of water, live rock, sand, and is cycling (should be done by now). I've got the wiring diagram all figured out and all I have to do is break out the soldering iron! I hope to do more with it the first weekend in May, but I am definately hoping it'll be done by June. It's taking FOREVER I know, but if I want to get into vet school I've gotta put my studies first :rolleyes:
 
Not sure it would work...I think some of the static is from the bulbs too. If would work, I'd be posting for lead sheets!! :)
 
I go out in the garage and lick it every once in awhile so I can ignore the kids yelling while I'm sitting on the computer. :D
 
it could very well be the reflectors to your bulbs that are blocking the radio waves and causing the poor reception. Is the tank between your tv and downtown?
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7251610#post7251610 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by DrBDC
I go out in the garage and lick it every once in awhile so I can ignore the kids yelling while I'm sitting on the computer. :D
Click to expand...

It's like a popcicle that doesn't melt!
 
Hey, maybe if I just go over and lick the wall too I wont care about watching fuzzy TV! Lost marbles; I can deal with technical if you have a suggestion... other than "get cable" like my kid sez.
 
You might be getting harmonic distortion on your neutral. Install one dedicated circuit 12-2 non metallic Romex wire from the main panel to one GFCI receptacle just for the light fixtures. Make sure you panel is correctly grounded to the cold water pipe. Try a ground rod and connect it to the panels ground bar. Drink lots of beer and be happy.
 
now we're getting some ideas..."drink lots of beer and be happy". would be before during or after I play with the electric?? :) Seriously though, all of the lights are on a 20 amp circuit dedicated to them. I do have a gfci installed on all 3 fishtank circuits too. I ran it with 12/2 w/ground from the main panel. The panel has a big ol' ground probe stuck in backyard and is also tied to the copper pipes. I ran a seperate ground wire from all the reflectors to ground too. That said, any thoughts from there? tahnks for the help.
 
Have you tried getting some coax and mounting the antenna someplace else?

If that doesn't work, go to Radio Shack and get a splitter. Next time one of your neighbors who has cable goes out of town...
 
I was considering that. I thought perhaps I could get one of those BIG outside antennas and throw it up in the attic at the other end of the house. I don't want one hangin' outside.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7251610#post7251610 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by DrBDC
I go out in the garage and lick it every once in awhile so I can ignore the kids yelling while I'm sitting on the computer. :D
Click to expand...

that was hilarious :lol:
 
Just run the coax and try your regular rabbit ears and see how it works. Save the money for a new coral or two!
 
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