Roma 90 Light Unit

[Shezzles]

Hi folks - new to the site / fish keeping, but look like some good threads on here, so thought I'd give it a try. I've had a Fluval tropical aquarium set up (tank 24" x 18" x 15", Roma 90 light unit set into 3-section lid, Fluval 2 internal filter) for about 8 months now, and both light tubes have failed on the same day. They started by 'clicking' on and off all the time, getting quickly worse, so I switched it off and disconnected from socket. I took the light fitting back to the shop where I bought the whole set-up from (including base cabinet - around £200 in all), and they told me it was my fault, I'd not fitted a condensation tray, water had got into the unit and, because you couldn't get into it to try and dry out/fix, the whole thing needed replacing. I've got one on order with them at the mo, but they say it's going to take up to three weeks or so to arrive, and is going to cost around £40 without lights. In the meantime (as you do), I've managed to get it apart myself, and the inside of the lighting bit is bone-dry and clean with no sign of any water damage. There are what look like two fluorescent tube starter things, and I'm wondering if just replacing these should sort it? Has anyone else had experience of this at all? And another point on the condensation tray - I've seen other threads which talk about the Roma 90 and dried algae build-up on the bulbs, which suggests to me that others don't use condensation trays, and in actual fact, there appears to be little space between the light tubes themselves, and the ledge where a tray would need to sit? Any help or advice much appreciated - it seems a lot of money to be forking out within a year of purchase (and yes, I asked about a guarantee and was told 6 months, and in any case, what is wrong with it now is considered normal wear and tear...!)

 

[IAmATeaf]

It's too late but I would have pointed out to the shop that the light unit and tank are as is. Hagen have designed it that way and why did the shop not point you towards a condensation unit when you purchased the setup.

Again too late but your next call should have been to Hagen themselves to see what they say.

 

[Shezzles]

It's too late but I would have pointed out to the shop that the light unit and tank are as is. Hagen have designed it that way and why did the shop not point you towards a condensation unit when you purchased the setup.

Again too late but your next call should have been to Hagen themselves to see what they say.

Thank you for advice - current position is, I took starters down to my local aquarium shop (as opposed to big chain where I bought original tank from). He basically told me that what I'd been told was all incorrect - this tank isn't designed to be used with a condensation try for a start-0ff. Next that there is a miniumu statutory guarantee of 1 year, but he thought Hagen gave 2 years, and he then gave me Hagen's number. Unfortunately they are shut for Bank Holiday, so I then rang the big store back to tell them how dis-chuffed I was at what I'd been told, and the upshot is I am now off to pick up a new replacement unit free of charge, from a stock unit they have, complete with bulbs (they chucked my old ones away when they were checking it, as they were 'unsafe' and 'a fire hazard'. Result!!! Thank you for your reply, though. I will defo keep an eye on posts here, as you all seem really helpful and knowledgeable

 

[IAmATeaf]

I love a happy ending Glad it all worked out for you.
By the way, how did you get into the unit? Did you have to break or cut anything?

 

[Shezzles]

I love a happy ending Glad it all worked out for you.
By the way, how did you get into the unit? Did you have to break or cut anything?

The little lugs on the underside were holding the top outside panel in place - I think the guy in the shop thought they were holding the underside light panel onto the underside of the unit - at least, judging by the way he was telling me how water had got in, I think that's what he thought. But I sussed from the side ribs supporting the light box that it was in fact a solid piece, so the lugs must have been holding the outside top panel in place. I found that by releasing the two centre lugs, that gave me enought purchase to pull the whol panel off without breaking anything. There was a bit of sealant at either end, but it was a bit like bathroom sealant and came away without a problem. Once inside, it was clear that everything was bone-dry with no sign whatsoever of water having got in. The man at the small aquarium shop said it was probably the centre ballast unit that had gone, andd would defo have been covered by warranty. Anyway, now got new unit, plus two free light tubes for my 'inconvenience', and am going back to small aquarium shop tomorrow to buy some more fish as a thank you for him saving me mucho dosh

 

[IAmATeaf]

Useful info, reason I asked is I purchased a second hand Roma 200 a few months ago and the light unit never worked so I've been humming and haaing as to what to do. I noticed the circular lug on the underside but didn't do much beyond that.