Juwel Rekord 600 Lighting Options...

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Mason7773

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I have been researching on this forum for the past 4-5 weeks whilst cycling my tank, all of which is going great...
 
The one thing that I haven't seemed to have settle on is the stock light tube in my Juwel Rekord 600. (15 Watt Day-Lite 438mm)
 
It seems ever so dull, so I am certainly looking to upgrade the tube to something decent or add a the Juwel Reflector.
 
If I could grasp some opinions and ideas, what's popular etc, that would be great!
 
 
 
 
 
Looking at Juwel's website, they say the tube is a T8, which is good news if you want to stick with a fluorescent tube. You can check that it is T8 not T5 by looking at the width. T8's are an inch across while T5s are 5/8 inch across.
If you can confirm it is a T8 you can replace it with any other T8 tube the same size. (T5s are different because Juwel's are a slightly different length from most other brands, though Arcadia do make Juwel compatible T5s). The thing to look for with replacing the current tube with a different brand is the colour. Some emit white light, some pink light and some yellow light. Research first before buying! And you don't have to buy tubes made for aquariums.
 
Another alternative is LED lighting. There are LED tubes which will fit into T8 lamp holders. Some can be powered by the fluorescent light's ballast but be careful as I've read that some can only be used with fluorescent ballasts with magnetic starters; they won't work with electronic starters. Alternatively there are some LED tubes which have their own power supply and come with plastic ends which slot into the fluorescent tube's holders just to hold them in place - but in this case do not plug the original plug into the mains. You could cut the cable off but that would probably invalidate the warranty of the whole tank. When I had a Rio, I think the warranty was void if you so much as removed the built in filter.
Of course if you are handy with diy, you could rewire the whole hood for a cheaper, non-aquarium LED, but again that would probably invalidate the warranty.
 
I have gone down the route of LED tubes that just slot into the fluorescent holders and with their own power supply. I much prefer them to fluorescent tubes.
 
essjay said:
Looking at Juwel's website, they say the tube is a T8, which is good news if you want to stick with a fluorescent tube. You can check that it is T8 not T5 by looking at the width. T8's are an inch across while T5s are 5/8 inch across.
If you can confirm it is a T8 you can replace it with any other T8 tube the same size. (T5s are different because Juwel's are a slightly different length from most other brands, though Arcadia do make Juwel compatible T5s). The thing to look for with replacing the current tube with a different brand is the colour. Some emit white light, some pink light and some yellow light. Research first before buying! And you don't have to buy tubes made for aquariums.
 
Another alternative is LED lighting. There are LED tubes which will fit into T8 lamp holders. Some can be powered by the fluorescent light's ballast but be careful as I've read that some can only be used with fluorescent ballasts with magnetic starters; they won't work with electronic starters. Alternatively there are some LED tubes which have their own power supply and come with plastic ends which slot into the fluorescent tube's holders just to hold them in place - but in this case do not plug the original plug into the mains. You could cut the cable off but that would probably invalidate the warranty of the whole tank. When I had a Rio, I think the warranty was void if you so much as removed the built in filter.
Of course if you are handy with diy, you could rewire the whole hood for a cheaper, non-aquarium LED, but again that would probably invalidate the warranty.
 
I have gone down the route of LED tubes that just slot into the fluorescent holders and with their own power supply. I much prefer them to fluorescent tubes.
 
Thank you for the reply!
 
The tube is a T8
 
As far as DIY, I have seen various ideas on lighting such as adding an extra tube by screwing it in to the lid and so fourth but I'm not too keen on the idea of altering things in that respect.
 
I ordered the HiFlex Reflector a few days as the reviews seem pretty good, however if I change plans altogether I'm not too bothered as it only cost around £8.00
 
LED is something I have been looking into. The way you explain is one option, but I've also been reading about people that have just added LED strips to the inside of the lid as well as reading problems that could and do occur with doing that. Sounds pretty good as you can keep the stock lighting then just add to it with LEDs.
 
I hadn't heard of LED lighting that will fit into T8 lamp holders though... that sounds pretty good.
 
I'm trying to figure out if just changing the tube will make a big difference?
 
I did some tests on my tank this evening and it's fully cycled now...
 
I just don't think the stock lighting is enough to add plants yet. I'm not looking to add anything that requires too much maintenance anyway... probably Java Moss & Anubias.
 
I had a Juwel Rio a few years ago and that came with 2 Juwel T8 tubes. I've forgotten what type they were now (it's 10 years ago) but they made the tank look a horrible drab yellowy colour. I changed them for Arcadia T8s. I prefer a white light light so I got 2 Arcadia Freshwater tubes which made the tank look a lot brighter. Other brands also make white lights. And there are pink tinted lights if you prefer that colour.
I too got reflectors and they helped as well.
One thing to warn you about if you go for a different brand of T8. Some makes quote the length to the tips of the pins while others ignore the pins. For example, Juwel's 15w T8s are 438mm long while Arcadia's are 450mm. That 12mm difference is just the pins which Arcadia includes but Juwel doesn't. Hold them side by side and they are exactly the same.
 
A few months ago I went into a shop to buy a replacement T8 tube for my 180 litre tank and ended up getting SuperFish LEDs to replace both tubes in that tank and another for my Eheim 54 litre tank which has the same size tube as yours. I find them brighter than the T8 fluorescents they replaced. The SuperFish LEDs have their own power supply but come with plastic end caps with prongs like a fluorescent tube to fit them into the existing holders. Arcadia also make this type (Eco Aqua) which come in a size to fit your tank.
I did look at using those LED strips that you stick onto the inside to the lid but don't trust them not to fall off and end up in the water!
 

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