Lighting issue

[HearBenji]

Forgive the newbie question, but I was gifted an older Coralife hood with some compact fluorescent actinics. The lamps have been only been able to fire intermittently and sometimes when I turn them on they try to fire but it flashes and immediately goes out. I assume this means I need to replace the ballast, correct? I just wanted to make sure before spending the money. Thanks for the advice!

 

[Stomatopod1701]

It is most likely the bulbs or the ballast.