Aqua Culture 5 gal tank from Walmart

[ashleyy]

Last Christmas I got the aqua culture 5gal tank from walmart. About 4-5 months after use, the light bulb "blew". I figured it went out because it was a cheap bulb that came with the kit. I didn't check the bulb because I was out of money and wouldn't have been able to get a new one anyway - I just unplugged the light. About 1-2 months after, I checked the bulb so I could get a new one and noticed the metal screw of the bulb was rusted and corroded as well as the socket and the bulb itself did NOT blow. This is worrisome to me because I always think of the possibility of fire or other hazards with all the electrical equipment I use for the tanks. I trusted that since it is a fish tank that the humidity would have not caused a problem like that.

I am thinking now that I did have a small amount of aquarium salt in the water for a month... I'm not sure if that could have done it?

Has anyone else have a similar problem? Thanks!

[Thunderloon]

There's supposed to be a shield and an O-ring up in the assembly, you can get some electrician's grease at most super hardware stores to coat the metal shield but honestly I'm pretty sure its the cheap-cheap lightbulb that was your issue.

See if the fluorescent bulbs at Walmart's fish area will fit the lid. They last me quite a while.