Buzzing Lights?

[jerky1280]

I just finished building a DIY light strip for my 10 gallon aquarium - I'm getting ready to add plants to a previously fish-only tank. The lighting is two 18" 15W fluorescent bulbs that I got out of an old desk lamp. The only problem is that now that I've gotten it all together, there is a barely audible buzz that comes from the lights (I think it's the ballast). What does this mean? If it's not a problem, will the noise bother my fish?

 

[RedTurquoise]

Sounds like the ballast. Is it a new ballast? As ballasts get older, they do start to make noise. Does not really affect anything but when the noise gets quite loud, its time to replace them.

 

[depthC]

I have the same problem in my 10g tank. I bought it almost two years ago and now its starting to make that noise. Im not sure how to replace the balast and i dont even know how. The hood is kinda weird. Its the aquatank-x 10g that you might be able to find at any petco.

- depthC

 

[sinasster]

Definatly the ballast, you can live with it or replace it.

no it wont bother your fish.

 

[jerky1280]

Replacing the ballast isn't that hard, if you know a little bit about lighting. Pretty much just open it up and change the ballast. Just make sure you put all the wires back in the right places!