Lighting Upgrade Questions

[mikeb2k2001]

Hi,

After reading how the arcadia systems improve the aquariums light, I am keen to upgrade from my Juwel (70cm) to the arcadia equivilant.

In particular, this post has inspired me to make the change, but I am wondering..

Is it worth only upgrading the tubes? Or is there a good enough benefit to warrant a £70 lighting unit as well?

 

[2pods]

I upgraded all three Juwel tanks (Rio 400, Rio 240- now sold, and Rekord 60) to Arcadia Original Tropical and Arcadia Freshwater for the paired lighting, and a single Original Tropical for the 60L.

Plants seemed to grow a bit better, but that might just be me.

I certainly preferred the look of the tanks compared to the supplied Juwel lighting.
Peter

 

[nry]

It was simple enough to rip out the internals of the lighting for my Juwel Rekord60 and bolt in a reflector + Interpet Power Compact 16" 26w tube (with external starter unit). All in £35 from Aquatics Online. Significantly better than the 15w tube I had before though upgrading lights usually means you need to consider fertilisation and possibly CO2 to get the most from the lights and reduce the likelihood of algae breaking out.

 

[SuperColey1]

People often suggest mixing the Original Tropical Light with the Freshwater Light.

I used to do this but the Original Tropical Light is Arcadia's budget light (hence the cheaper price) much like the Interpet beauty light.

Even though it says enhances plant growth, this can be said of almost any bulb it enhances growth more than no light

IMO much better to have 2 Freshwater Lamps in there.

If you look at some of the pictures in my journal the front of the tank where the Orig Tropical lamp was the sand looks pinky.

This is because once the plants grow they block the light from the Freshwater which was at the back and only the original tropical was shining on the sand at the front.

I am now using 55W PC Interpet daylight plus at the back and 18W T8 Arcadia Freshwater at the front (and no more pink glow on the sand)

Therefore yes upgrade from Juwel to Arcadia and clip Arcadia Reflectors (or other brand that fit) to the tubes but I would buy 2 x Freshwater if you are growing plants so that you don't get the pink glow at the front.

Andy

 

[Themuleous]

Before you start thinking about changing the light, decide if what you want to achieve from the tank, plant wise, actually needs more/better light and if you want to invest the time, energy and money in a high light tank?

More light doesn't necessarily = a better tank

Sam