Juwel Vision Arcadia I-bar T5 Replacement

[BHornsey]

sophos9, where are you in the UK?

I recently upgraded my I-Bar 2x24w to a 70w MH and could sell it to you.
I'm in Doncaster
PM me if you wish but I may not pick it up till tomorrow.

 

[sophos9]

I have an Interpet Triplus T5 power compact underneath the rear flap, giving me 3.4WPG in total.

Dave, this seems a feasible option, read loads about the Interpet units failing in no time so was trying to keep away but had also read they have changed the design etc

How long is the lead from the starter to the T5 light?

Cheers

sophos9, where are you in the UK?

I recently upgraded my I-Bar 2x24w to a 70w MH and could sell it to you.
I'm in Doncaster
PM me if you wish but I may not pick it up till tomorrow.

PM Sent

 

[Dave Spencer]

If you intend keeping the starter in the aquarium cabinet you will have more than enough. There looks to be about six foot of cable, but I am guessing because it is like Jodrel Bank behind my cabinet.

 

[sophos9]

Have just ordered 2 x Interpet Daylight Plus T5 PC tubes and 1 x 2x55w T5 Starter...

With 110w over 180litre should give about 2.2WPG which should be great!

 

[sophos9]

Also, is there anything else I will need to bolt them on etc.... Better get prepared for when they arrive??!

Any additional help here would be appreciated, Thanks!

 

[nry]

The Interpet tube I got came with two small screws and metal tube clips. I drilled a tiny pilot hole in the lid and used the screws to bolt the clips onto the lid, sandwiching the reflector in between the clip and the hood. The tube then clips in with the reflector in place, nothing amazingly difficult, though I agree with the other poster that some thin wire is advisable to ensure the tubes are held securely in place, would bit a tad dodgy if one fell into the tank!

According to the destructions the power connector rubber bit where the tube connects is not actually watertight and needs some form of protection from the water to avoid splashes etc....I haven't got anything in place yet, so far so good......

 

[sophos9]

The Interpet tube I got came with two small screws and metal tube clips. I drilled a tiny pilot hole in the lid and used the screws to bolt the clips onto the lid, sandwiching the reflector in between the clip and the hood. The tube then clips in with the reflector in place, nothing amazingly difficult, though I agree with the other poster that some thin wire is advisable to ensure the tubes are held securely in place, would bit a tad dodgy if one fell into the tank!

Great, so I dont need anything to attach them then, I can handle that!

According to the destructions the power connector rubber bit where the tube connects is not actually watertight and needs some form of protection from the water to avoid splashes etc....I haven't got anything in place yet, so far so good......

Good man, have you had any problems with the end cap falling to pieces?

I've bought a couple of 80mm fan kits, one will be positoned over one light to pull cooler air in, the other will be diganolly over the other side of the tank, this time extracting air.... I may suffer with some evaporation but I would prefer that than over heating...

Do you also think the lights should be offset from each other to ensure full light coverage across the tank?

 

[Dave Spencer]

I would place them centrally. Your tank is wider than mine, but not as deep and I get a lot of light at the bottom. You will notice a considerable increase in light and I am sure it will reach all corners of your tank. Make sure you have the necessary healthy biomass, fert regime and, very importantly, stable CO2 at 30ppm ready to go.

Dave.

 

[sophos9]

Cheers Dave, I heed those words well!

 

[SuperColey1]

I bought a little pack of 3mm bolts because I didn't like the tiny screw that come with the unit.

Much better IMO as the heat these units kick out warps the plastic very slightly and I wasn't prepared to trust those screws to hold.

Only about 80p or thereabouts

Andy

 

[sophos9]

dont blame you, not sure fish like 220v. Thanks for that!

I'm also going to buy some reflective tape that will sit between the reflectors and the plastic hood in a bid to minimise warping, the heat can be taken out by the fans

Keep all the good suggestions coming!