Hi everyone,

Recently my aquarium light has started flashing intermittently. I put it down to the fact that the bulb might have slipped out of the connections slightly but I checked and the bulb was fastened tightly in so I've ruled that out.

I turned the light off as I was worried that the flashing would be disturbing the fish and thought it would also give the bulb a chance to cool down.

The next morning I tried the light again, and it is still flashing on and off about every couple of seconds or so.

Is this a sign that the bulb is on the way out? Admittedly the bulb is very old, we got it with the tank almost 2 years ago so it could be anywhere from 3 years old upwards so I was planning to replace it anyway.

But would a dying bulb behave in this way or could it be a problem with the lighting unit itself? Just wondered if anyone else had this issue, I'm hoping I can pop down the LFS this weekend and buy a new bulb and the problem will be sorted.

Your thoughts would be much appreciated

It could be the starter rather than the bulb. Though if it's two years old it needs replacing anyway as it won't be as bright as it ought to be and the colour spectrum may have shifted gving less effective light for any plants.

It will be the starter, not the tube.

How fluorescent lights work

What make is it?

Yeah good point, I'll certainly be buying a new bulb anyway as like you said it needed doing anyway.

If that doesn't help I guess it could be a whole new lighting unit....

Hi Cathie,

If you mean the bulb, it's an Interpet.

If you mean the lighting unit I haven't a clue and I am currently away from home through work but I can check at the weekend (the lighting unit was second hand with the tank when we bought it)

If the starter has gone does that mean I need a whole new lighting unit?

The starter is a litte white tubey looking thing that clicks into the ballast unit - can usually be replaced for a couple of quid.

This kind of thing, though it needs to be matched to the existing one for output

Ah brilliant! I'll get one ordered along with a new bulb.

Thanks guys for solving that one!