JapanReef - 450 gallon In-Wall system

[NexDog]

Very vexing problem with my lights. I have a PFO hood with 3x400w 14k bulbs on a dual and single pulse start ballast. Lately two of the bulbs (on the dual ballast) periodically go out, then come back on again 10 minutes later then off then on then off....you get the idea.

The middle bulb is now dead which I attribute to the constant firing of the bulb and now I'm left with a temperamental bulb.

When I first powered everything up 3 months ago I had a similar problem due to the lack of electricity (Japan runs on 100v) so I had transformers made that convert the electricity to 120v. I tested the output with a voltmeter and I get 120v.

So what are my options here? Could be the electricity, could be the ballast, could be teh hood itself. I have no idea how to troubleshoot this issue. It was always an issue but not so chronic. Before the two bulbs on the dual ballast might go out 1-3 times a day and relight 10-15 minutes later but now it's every 10-15 minutes.

Posted in the equipment forum too but maybe someone following this thread has some ideas...

 

[NexDog]

By the way, my UV Sterilser has landed in Japan. I'll be getting a telephone tomorrow and then they'll be sending me the manifest on which I have to write a description of each item. So bloody strict these days. Hopefully I'll have by the weekend. Will be great to be able to count the lyretails to make sure all 6 are there.

 

[jeffbrig]

Do you know if your power is 50 or 60Hz? US products should be on 60Hz, but I don't know if that's what Japan uses. Unfortunately, that's not something you can measure with the average multimeter.

 

[NexDog]

This half of Japan is 60Hz luckily......

 

[alien9168]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7057163#post7057163 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by asnatlas
That link is just to the manf of the filter...

Vortex Diatom Filter- XL

Wow... Thats way cheaper than I thought.

Sorry for doubting you. I should have researched more before making a false statement. Sorry man.

-alien

 

[asnatlas]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7062074#post7062074 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by alien9168
Wow... Thats way cheaper than I thought.

Sorry for doubting you. I should have researched more before making a false statement. Sorry man.

-alien

It's OK, I should have posted multi links in my first reply on the filter... I was just trying to get the main site out for anyone who had questions...

 

[melev]

The fact that the lights are turning on and off indicates that the power is surging rather than coming in steadily. That would be my guess. If you had a Kill-O-watt, you could look at the incoming power digitally any time.

 

[NexDog]

Marc, so thge surge is killing the bulb or the dip after the surge? I'm going to call an electrician in but it's going to be hard to explain the problem.

 

[melev]

I would think you are getting less power than is needed to keep the bulb lit. It then ramps back up and to you it seems like there is enough power.

You have PFO lights, right? You might contact them and ask them how they trouble shoot your lighting experience typically.

I'm thinking you might try running them on your generator for a day, and see if they work with that clean constant power.

 

[NexDog]

Okay, many thanks. I'm going to phone the electrician now and get him round.

 

[Zephrant]

I agree with Mark- Just tell the electrician you are trying to run Metal Halide lights on a ballast designed for 120/60hz. A good one will know what to look for.

Zeph

 

[NexDog]

Still waiting on the electrician but I'm starting to think the ballast itself is dodgy. I swapped everything about and no matter what transformer I put it on or what bulb, the bulb on dual ballast is on and off every 15 minutes. The single ballast bulb is fine and it's rated at 3.8 amps. On the dual ballast I have the dead bulb's side switched off and disconnected so it's only pulling 3.8 amps too. Also if that lamp is burning and I switch on the other part of the dual ballast, it normally dies. I think I'll take it apart tonight to see if there's anything shorting in there but I have no skills in that department so....

So just received a shipment from MarineDepot including an 8watt CurrentUSA UV Sterilizer rated for 50g (for my quarantine tank). This is the model:

http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewI...Product=CU01400

The bloody thing refuses to light. Tried it in the sleeve and out - nothing, nada, darkness.

Was counting on this to fix my green water issue. Now I guess I'm destined for a 100% water change.

Anyhow, any ideas? Any magic that I can do to make it light?

Sucks when equipment doesn't run like it's supposed to. Not a happy chappy at the mo.

 

[agarza]

The bloody thing refuses to light. Tried it in the sleeve and out - nothing, nada, darkness.

That's really bad luck, specially when you waited for it after a half around the world flight. Hope you get it to work soon.

Good luck man.

 

[NexDog]

Thanks Alfonso.

So with the UV out the picture I set about the 100% water change on the quarantine tank. Remeber I started off with this:

Actually by today it was even darker than that. So I emptied 90% of it first as I didn't want to bother with moving the fish:

From that stage I would add 5 gallons of new water, let it mix for a while and then siphon it out. I did this a total of 3 times at which time the water only had a tint of green. Then I filled it up and hey presto:

I did a headcount and all 6 Lyretails are alive and fine. Yay!

And finally, the icing on the proverbial cake. I fiddled around with the UV unit.......and it works fine.

 

[agarza]

Definitely looks much better, hope that with all that husbandry and the UV it clears out quickly, if not, I guess you'll be shopping for a diatom filter

 

[NexDog]

I just hope the drastic water change doesn't kill the fish.

 

[agarza]

It shouldn't't as long as all the parameters were the same: temp, sal, PH

 

[melev]

It shouldn't as long as pH, temp and salinity match.

I hope you get the MH situation figured out. Do you have any back up ballasts you can test with?

 

[NexDog]

The clear water makes such a difference. This morning the anthias are so active compared to hiding at the back. So I think these Lyretails are pretty tough.

I'm convinced the ballast is bad because it's been steadily getting worse and now it won't even light the one lamp. So I think I'm just going to have to buy a new one and if I get it and it works, I'll demand some recompense for the damaged one.

I received a package today. My daughter has been on at me to get some starfish and teh place in Okinawa only had two so I got those. I also got those snails I posted about a few snails back and they are tiny. Also got a few softies and zoos. Pics to follow....

 

[NexDog]

The package contained 2 starfish, some snails and some softies. Nothing too exciting but add colour to the tank.

(is this one below a mushroom or a leather - bad pic)