Best Way To Black Out An Aquarium Light ?

[L_Plates]

Hello all, i have a Juwel Rio 240 with the following Lighting system : Twin T5 High Lites

I will be planting the tank in due coarse but i feel the lighting might be a little overkill.

So i was wondering if anyone could share there knowledge with me on how to best blackout one of the lights.

Cheers
LP

 

[MBOU]

Dont get why you arent happy with your lighting? Plantsneed lots of light! The better the lighting the better your plants will grow!

Failing that... um... just dont buy the hilite bulbs? Lods of other bulbs fit the juwel lighting systems,JBLs bulbs have been made to fit, buy one Nature (white) bulb and one Colour (pinky/purpley light).

 

[L_Plates]

I was told the lighting would be to much for planted tanks. Might be an idea to see how it goes i suppose before making any changes.

One bulb is day and the other is nature.

Cheers
LP

 

[StandbySetting]

It wont be too much light, you'll just require CO2 injection, you could fit a reflector to the under side of one of the tubes.

 

[L_Plates]

Good idea, i am trying to avoid the co2 route if possible as its pricey unless i go for the yeast or fire extinguisher ideas.

LP

 

[coldcazzie]

T5? Are you sure? Most 240 come with T8s. Unless it's a custom light setup?

 

[StandbySetting]

240's come with T5 post 2007

 

[L_Plates]

I will double check when i get home mate.

LP

 

[coldcazzie]

240's come with T5 post 2007

That'd do it then, bought mine in 2005

 

[L_Plates]

Day and Nature Juwel High lite 54w is what is in the hood. Are these T5 ?

Are t8 better for a planted tank ?

Im confused hehe, its not hard to confuse me

LP

 

[StandbySetting]

They're T5's yes, all High-light tubes are T5's, Juwel made them to a specific size so it is difficult to get cheap replacements, Arcadia and JBL are making them now though, T5 and T8 plainly refer to the diameter of the tube T5 is 5/8's of an inch, T8 is 8/8's or 1 inch, because T5 tubes are smaller in diameter there is less refraction from the tubes which means that there is more useable light, ideally you'll want CO2 but I did manage a similar tank (same amount of light in proportion to tank volume) quite well, it just required patience, the use of Easy Carbo and fertilisers, and short photo periods, in the end I got so sick of messing around trying to avoid algae I added floating plants to block out some of the light.

 

[L_Plates]

Cheers for the help buddy, i will give it a go and if i suffer with algae i will try a reflector or floating plants as you mentioned.

Thanks again LP