Lighting Options - Help

[JamieH]

Ok... I have Juwel 240 and I want to boost the lighting for plants - there's several options. Which do you think is best?


1, add 2 more 38w T8's in the hood with reflectors = cheapest option

2, replace the stock lighting with an arcadia 'light bar', 2 x T5 tubes + reflectors. Expensive, but neat.

3, keep the existing lights and add 2 x 55W power compacts = somewhre in the middle for price, but difficult to fit the power compacts in the hood (maybe?) and as the tubes are only 21", could lead to duller light at each end of the tank.

option 3 gives the most light, but might also be the most difficult.

 

[Themuleous]

You should start a poll? For me option 1. simplest and easiest to change if you want to down grade in the future.

Sam

 

[Dave Spencer]

Option three using Interpet T5 Daylight Plus and Triplus because they give lovely quality light. Fittng them is dead easy, I have done it to my Juwel

 

[JamieH]

Option three using Interpet T5 Daylight Plus and Triplus because they give lovely quality light. Fittng them is dead easy, I have done it to my Juwel

How did you fit them?

 

[Dave Spencer]

Option three using Interpet T5 Daylight Plus and Triplus because they give lovely quality light. Fittng them is dead easy, I have done it to my Juwel

How did you fit them?

I used Arcadia reflectors (I haven`t seen an Interpet version). Just use the screws provided for fitting the reflectors and screw down through the lid, through the slot in the reflector and in to the tube clip. One lamp per lid flap. Put a black plastic screw cap on the two screws before using them, just to make things look tidy.

The most important thing is that when you mount the lamps, make sure the end fitting of the starter unit is not under the reflector. Only the glass of the lamp goes under, otherwise the rubber of the fitting will overheat and the rubber will perish.

There are issues with the heat that T5 lighting gives off, but I have not experienced any problems. The tank water temperature rises a total of 1/2 degree C during the ten hour photoperiod, and the lid only gets warm to the touch.

Hope I have explained the method adequately.

 

[Gandalf-LoJ]

I went totally different and ditched the lid altogether and got one of the Arcadia Overtank Luminaire. It's a fantastic bit of kit that really looks nice. It more than doubled the light going into my rio 180. Not cheap, but I think it's worth it as the resulting plant growth is stunning.

 

[JamieH]

no decisive option then.

 

[Dave Spencer]

I suppose the biggest decision is what light levels are going for; greater than or less than 2WPG?

 

[George Farmer]

No. 1 for me for sure.

Easiest, cheapest and very effective. 4 x 38w T8 gives you 2.4 wpg, enough to grow anything.

No heat issues that can occur with PC T5 and better light spread.

Bigger range of T8 tubes too.

Overtank luminaire is good, but pricey. I also prefer to see these on braceless AGAs, rather than tanks with fitted hoods.

My £0.02.