Lighting In Juwel Aquariums

[The diver]

hi, hope im doing this right

i have a juwel rio 125 and i was wondering if the lights supplied with it would be fine for a densly planted tank. I will get the reflectors and the two lights with the aquarium are 30 watts each. I did an internet calculation and found I needed over 132 watts. But I wouldn't have thought juwel would supply tanks with so little lighting. I'm a bit confused.

thanks for any help

 

[soggyhome]

Hello m8

I have a juwel rio and the lighting (especially the tubes) isn't that great if you want good plant growth. I have changed the tubes to Arcadia Original and had no problem growing plants that like low light enviroment

However if like me you want to grow more demanding species then the addition of more lighting and co2 injection along with adding the correct ferts is needed otherwise you will have a tank full of algae.

In short the lighting that comes with the Rio is ok if your happy with a few plants and fish, but if you want to go further then additions have to be made

Hope this helps

 

[The diver]

thanks very much

i will definately look into upgreading the lights as i have gone to the expense of getting a CO2 system. i just hoped i wouldent have to spend any more!

 

[planter]

Think youll fnd Arcadia make Ideal lighting upgrades for your juwel aquarium! they call them 'I bars' and you can get T5 versions!!! simply replace the origional light unit!!

Planter

 

[The diver]

its great to get get such fast and clear feedback, thanks alot!!

 

[George Farmer]

Welcome to TFF!

The supplied Juwel Rio 125 tubes are T8 18w 24". Replacing these with full-spectrum tubes is recommended. Check out the lighting pinned thread. My personal favourites are Interpet Daylight Plus, Triplus and Arcadia Freshwater. The Arcadia Original Tropical tubes are quite low output and very "purple".

In my Juwel Rio 125 I ran 4 x 18w tubes. I simply bought a double electronic ballast (Hagen) and fitted the 2 extra tubes in front and behind the Juwel light-bar. The tubes balance of the center brace and the cables provide balance, it sounds risky but I've never had a problem in 3 years. Reflectors fitted to all tubes. Total cost for lighting upgrade is about £75 (4 x new tubes, 4 x reflectors, 1 x double ballast).

This gives 2.2wpg and is fine for growing most plants. I have grown demanding plants like glosso with ease. Check it out here for your interest - http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?s=&sho...dpost&p=1224047

 

[The diver]

hi

iv found the arcadia I-Bar Twin T5 32ins (80cm) which the site says fits onto juwel aquariums but im not sure what combination of tubes to get for the optimum output.

thanks for the help - im a little out of my depth