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Post by phish on Dec 13, 2016 18:56:55 GMT -5
So it seems my light fixture kicked the bucket. I'm looking to replace the ballast but can't seem to find any decent prices. I just dished out $30 on a 42" power glo tube and if it's going to cost me another 30-40 for a ballast, I might as well just return the new light tube, save the money on the repair job and get a new 48" led fixture. The one that's in it now is a INTERGLOBAL IG130ELSX www.ilighting.com/ig-ig130elsx-001.html which I can only seem to find in the US of A. Before tossing the existing fixture out the door (it's actually designed for the hood so I'd like to keep it if I can get it running) I thought I'd ask if anyone has any idea where I can find a cheapish replacement ballast?
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Post by phish on Jan 3, 2017 19:24:44 GMT -5
So what I ended up doing is returning the fluorescent light and ditched the idea of fixing the fixture with a new ballast. What I did was order a 300 led light string set and stuck it along the underneath of the fixture along the reflector. Was long enough to run back and forth several times across the length of the 48" fixture. Got me an led remote which controls brightness/dimming/on/off... and strobe light effects which is great if you want epileptic fish, lol. Kidding aside, cost me $8 for the remote and $23 for the led light string and its perfect lighting for my african cichlids. The remote is great, don't even have to point at the tank and works all the way across the room about 20-30 feet away. So it's a simple DIY for any burned out fixtures you have lying around.
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Post by Xander on Jan 3, 2017 21:45:11 GMT -5
Awesome! I picked up a couple LED strings earlier in the year for the same purpose, but they were just made too cheaply. The power adapters that came with would buzz and fizzle whenever certain colours were faded part way (fades are necessary for a particular colour combination, of course) and one of the two blew in this way. I shelved the idea at that point. Glad yours went better!
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Post by phish on Jan 3, 2017 22:14:14 GMT -5
I just got bright white ones, no colour and water proof. No plants to worry about since its a cichlid tank. My only concern is that the light may yellow over time since the silicone coating over the LEDs may discolour from the heat. Been running for 2 weeks now and so far so good. I can dim it pretty low and the fish seem to like it dim. The Light100% Original 5050 type LEDMO Flexible LED Strip Lights, DC12V LED light strip,Super Bright 300 Units LEDs, Waterproof , Cool White, LED Rope Light+12V 5A Adapter LINK: www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B01FJ9KVJ6/The RemoteTianNorth Mini Remote RF Controller for Single Color LED Strip Lights Dimmer for 12 V DC LED Light Strips, 12A, Wireless Remote Control for All Dimmable 3528 5050 LED Strip LINK: www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B01KTT3BSE/
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Post by Andre on Jan 4, 2017 12:37:42 GMT -5
Got links to where you ordered from?
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Post by phish on Jan 5, 2017 23:15:45 GMT -5
Got links to where you ordered from? Updated with links... can also go brighter getting the 5630 strip kit (for plant people I guess) but I didn't get them do to the one review claiming they go yellow. Then again, there is always 1 or 2 bad reviews on even the best products on the market. LEDMO Flexible LED Light Strip Kit, Super Bright 300 Uints SMD5630 LEDs,IP65 Waterproof,Daylight White 6500K,16.4Ft/5M,LED Strip Light + 12V/5A Power Supply www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B01FFWQEPW/Also, the remote I got has awesome range but the drawback is that it would control any light strip in the vicinity. If you want a crappy remote that you have to point from 3-4 feet away then go with this one ($2 cheaper): www.amazon.ca/LEDMO-Remote-Controller-Single-Wireless/dp/B01EXXFMSO/
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