just put my new radium bulb in my tank a couple of days ago and it is flickering and making a buzzing noise... is it just wearing?

Probably not seated correctly. Take it out and try reinstalling it, should not be flickering and buzzing.

If it is a Sunpod I read that they have problems firing the radium bulbs.

IDK that is all I have been using in my Sunpod without any problems. (Radium 20k 150watt HQI)

well i will take it out and put it back in


and see what happens

Oh sorry I forgot...it is not all Sunpods only some of them.
I think there is a thread on RC and here.

i had the same problem when i just replaced my old bulb with a new ushio 20k in my sunpod, and it did the same thing. i took it out and reversed its position and the problem was corrected.

k ill do that when i get home

radiums require a electronic pulse start ballast. They barely work, or sometimes not at all on magnetic ballasts

All 20" 150 watt model SunPods and include fixture, lamps, docking mounts and a hanging/canopy mount kit. Other 150 watt model SunPods include fixture, lamps, docking mounts and a 24-hour automatic timer* for HQI lamp(s). 150 watt fixtures feature internal electronic ballast driving system,

got home flipped it around
still flickering and buzzig
it is in the solana pendent not a sunpod
should i just wait and see if it just needs to break in?

anyone

are you sure you have it seated properly?

im sorry to say im not familiar enough with the solana pendants to give any more legitimate assistance.

ya i am pretty sure its in there right i will just wait a couple of weeks and if it doesnt work than i might try and return it cause im sure radiums work fine with the pendants i mean look at zooks tank he has a radium bulb with the pendant

hmm it could be corrosion or salt on the fixtures contacts.

do those solana pendants use the same ballast as a sunpod? I'd think they use the same ballast, and if they do I bet that is your problem. My sunpod won't fire radiums fwiw

Mine did the same thing, either learn to live with it or switch it out for a new bulb.

got a replacement and now its working