Replacement Tubes

[dayzofspeed]

when the time comes to change the dual light tubes (T8) on my juwel rio 240 do I have to buy actual aquarium lights or will househole tubes do as well,providing they are going to save me some money. not sure what the wattage is on my existing ones, they are the original ones bought with the tank but i'm assuming this is something I can easily upgrade with brighter ones or would this cause algae problems

 

[aaronnorth]

I get my tubes from lampspecs. Cost about £3 a tube
They are no different to "aquatic lighting"

You may not be able to get much brighter tubes as a certain size = a certain wattage. Also, if you look at the ballast, there should be a sticker telling you the power output.

If your ballast only provides 2 x 54w, then sticking 2 x 100w tubes in won't make a difference as you will still only get 108 watts of light.

Thanks, Aaron

 

[dayzofspeed]

thanks for the info. think i have 2 different colours in my hood one to bring out fish colour and 1 to benefit the plants, does that make any difference if i were to buy "normal" tubes

 

[aaronnorth]

look at the numbers of the tube. You will notice, for example, it will say 880.

The first number is the percentage of how accurate it represents the spectrum it says (which is the last 2 numbers).

880 - 80% 8000k
960 - 90% 6000k

The fact that our tube is designed to "benefit plants" also adds to the cost, when in actual fact there is absolutley no difference to a 'normal' tube that has the same spectrum.

the lower the kelvin, the warmer the tube. The higher the kelvin, the colder the tube.

4000k = pink
6500k = "daylight"
8000k = white
10,000k = blue

They are just guidelines,

Thanks, Aaron

 

[dayzofspeed]

okay think i've got that, will take a note of the numbers next time i'm shopping, I'm always looking for ways to reduce costs in this hobby, without cutting corners hopefully

 

[dayzofspeed]

i just checked one of the tubes and there are no numbers as described just the name "aqua glow" and the tube dimension, but they are 42" 40w t8's so if someone could reccommend any tubes that are equivalent i would be grateful

 

[aaronnorth]

Aquarium tubes dont use the numbers, it's just the tubes you buy for normal use.

Aquarium tubes just use kelvin, or there might be a spectrum graph on the side of the box.

Thanks, Aaron

 

[dayzofspeed]

ok so if i want to use domestic tubes that give the same effects as aquarium tubes do i need a daylight ie 6500k and a pink 400k or white 800k and i take it that i have to replace with 40w as i was told increasing the wattage will make no difference

 

[aaronnorth]

It's personal choice. This will help you decide (got to 'On the cheap' > T5 lighting)

http/www.theplantedtank.co.uk/

Personally I run an 865 & a 810 to give a natural look and yes it has to be the same wattage.

Thanks, Aaron

 

[dayzofspeed]

very useful link thank you