Juwel Rio 240 Lighting Rheostat -

[mostin46]

Hi, Im new to this forum thing ! I have a Juwel Rio 240 Tropical tank, it's been up and running for 9 months, all fish are healthy. The tank has 2 fluoroescent tubes in the canopy hood, I currently have them switching on and off via a timer. Ive heard that to help simulate the fishes natural environment ie the wild, that it would be better if the lighting reduced gradually, and came on gradually, by use of a rheostat. My question is whether it's possible to fit a rheostat to this aquarium ? Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[ripil]

yeah your right about the gradual light would be much better for the fish. but the two negatives im thinking are the amount of work and cost. plus your doing this to a juwel lighting system that are totally rank and break all the time. (i have the scars) mine is broke and im having to buy a new one tomoz again.

 

[ian_m]

Wouldn't work and most likely damage the Juwel lighting unit. Juwel use electronic starters for their lights, thus require full mains power all the time.

 

[Aquascaper]

You could add extra lighting such as an LED strip set to come on and go off before and after the main lights.

I used a similar setup on my reef tank, darkness - blue actinics - white T5's - metal halide - white T5's - blue actinics - darkness, over a period of 12hrs.

 

[DrRob]

Aye, I'd go for something like aquascapers suggestion, but without the metal halide or actinic bits, just add something dimmer in between dark and light, or as a boost all day.

As said, don't go messing with rheostats on ballasted fluorescent tubes, they won't thank you for it.