Florecent problems

[crashwg]

I'm pretty clueless when it comes to florecent so I thought I'd ask before running out and buying stuff.

I have a florecent light fixture (on my fish tank) that when turned on goes "______--_____---_--___--___--repeat"

_ = off | - = on

It seems to be pretty random flashiness and the fish are starting to get angry I think.  I've actually just been leaving it off and instead just leaving my dining room light on all the time, well not all night but rather the normal awake hours.

So is this a balast problem?  That's what it's called right?

[DrewKaree]

yes, and yes.

What size tank do you have?  Fresh/salt?  Fish contained inside?  Just wondering, as I enjoy them also.

[cdbrown]

It's more likely that the starter isn't working properly.  A bad ballast can actually damage the tube.

http://bestfish.com/tips/040298.html

[Ken Layton]

No, No No----it's not the ballast. Whenever the fluorescent lamp flashes it's at the end of it's life and you need to buy a new tube. Always put in a new starter (probably it's an "FS-2" starter) when you change the tube as a bad tube frequently takes out the starter with it.

[DrewKaree]

It's more likely that the starter isn't working properly.  A bad ballast can actually damage the tube.

http://bestfish.com/tips/040298.html

ya know, after reading your reply, I realized I've been calling it the wrong thing all this time.

The silver Donkey Kong barrel-shaped thing.

I believe you deserve an apple, cd....or should I say "Mr Teacher-of-the day"  

[crashwg]

What size tank do you have?  Fresh/salt?  Fish contained inside?  Just wondering, as I enjoy them also.

LOL, get ready for this...

tank = about 12x48x18, so however big that is
water = fresh
fish = 1 medium picostimous (sp?)
          3 black skirt tetras
          3 zebra danios

funny story actually about the cheap arse fish.  we inherited the tank from my GF's dad when he dicided he wanted to be a truck driver.  when he gave us the tank he told us "just fill it up, let the water come to room temp and put the fish in".  aparently he didn't realize that we were on city water and he was on well...  needless to say the chlorine killed all the fish within 18 hours or so.  the fish that we have now are the "tester" fish.  we bought them to make sure we didn't kill any more expensive ones.  we've had them for over a year now though...

[DrewKaree]

LOL, get ready for this...

tank = about 12x48x18, so however big that is
water = fresh
fish = 1 medium picostimous (sp?)
          3 black skirt tetras
          3 zebra danios

funny story actually about the cheap arse fish.  we inherited the tank from my GF's dad when he dicided he wanted to be a truck driver.  when he gave us the tank he told us "just fill it up, let the water come to room temp and put the fish in".  aparently he didn't realize that we were on city water and he was on well...  needless to say the chlorine killed all the fish within 18 hours or so.  the fish that we have now are the "tester" fish.  we bought them to make sure we didn't kill any more expensive ones.  we've had them for over a year now though...

Sounds like a 20 gal.

The things that folks do to fish    I had that problem with a Sister-in-law!  I used to LOVE my fish tank...I used to go so far as to breed a few, but we were moving and my tank (150 gallon, about the size of your couch  ) developed a leak soon after that.  I didn't realize it, and one day while at work, something must have happened (got knocked or just too much pressure) and when I came home, I found my entire fish tank on the floor, all my fish dead, gravel everywhere.  I haven't had the heart to start another tank since then, but I go to the fish store every other week to look at 'em, and I take care of several outdoor ponds that I've set up for people....you're making me get all misty, dammit!  

From the size of your tank, check out some Gouramis.  Blue's seem to be the hardiest, but dwarfs will be more in line with the size of your tank, and they're a bit more colorful!

Just don't throw any Cichlids in your tank or you'll soon have a Cichlid-only tank  

Cool, though, and thanks for sharing!

*OT*
Did that ringtone work for you?