New light or new tank?

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jammedfool
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So in a bit of a shock conversation, I was talking to OH about getting some replacement lights for the Juwel Rio and upgrading to LED as the ballast seems to be failing occasionally (possibly cat related). New LED ones seem expensive, so I have been looking at second hand.

With that in mind I have been watching items on eBay such as aquaskys or multilux LED to replace the fluorescent ones or at the very least, a nicrew. I also would like to upgrade the 40L light as I cant see a thing in there...

Then the wife comes out with 'why dont you just get a new tank?'
So my options may have now opened up! Obviously a new tank is going to be more costly than just lighting but I had been thinking about getting something a little larger and starting fresh as I went completely the wrong way about it. OH is happy about that... May open up stocking options a little though things are just stable now haha...

If I go for lighting now anyway, it'll be secondhand and depending in the right condition i would get a secondhand tank due to how expensive new ones are. I'd go for possibly 300L I think will fit in a similar space, with external filtration while I'm at it.

So... Am I going the right way about secondhand lights or am I better off getting a cheaper LED unit e.g nicrew if I plan on getting a new setup (later this year?)
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Lee_k
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quickly buy the tank before your wife changes her mind :) - Infact, buy 2 and beg forgiveness!

On the light, it depends what your after really, I wouldnt get anything too old tho as they wont last forever and it'll bug you if you get odd LED's failing
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plankton
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I got Superfish replacement LEDs for the Trigon when the last bulbs went. About £90 as opposed to the cost of the Juwels..... ;)
They fit in the Juwel fittings but have their own power sources so you can just have one on, you don't need both all the time.
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Stephen
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@plankton
plankton wrote: Mon Feb 22, 2021 8:50 am I got Superfish replacement LEDs for the Trigon when the last bulbs went. About £90 as opposed to the cost of the Juwels..... ;)
They fit in the Juwel fittings but have their own power sources so you can just have one on, you don't need both all the time.
How do they work with their own power source?
Is there an individual switch or something?

Thanks
425L SeaBray Elite aquarium - Rio Mamoré (Bolivia) theme
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Lee_k
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Well I think I jinxed myself with my comment about LED's lasting forever, one of mine failed today - chunk of missing leds and a load of them flashing!
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fr499y
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Nooo!! Heat would of killed it.
Lee_k
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It's only 13month old! It gets soaked too being in the lid so that can't help
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codheadjohn
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Lee_k wrote: Mon Feb 22, 2021 19:14 pm Well I think I jinxed myself with my comment about LED's lasting forever, one of mine failed today - chunk of missing leds and a load of them flashing!
LEDs last a long time. Unfortunately the drivers tend to be what gives out. Aquariums and the moisture aren't the best environment for electronics
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fr499y
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The biggest killer for LED’s themselves is heat. A lot of cheaper units ( and every tmc unit!! ) the leds are pushed to their max ma draw, which makes them run hot. The best thing to do is run them at 80% of their capacity which won’t be much dimmer, but a hell of a lot cooler. The idea is a 1000mA LED is ran at 850mA and a 850 is ran at 750 to keep them cool whilst still giving good light.
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Andys temperate tank
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If your replacing the tank you have now put your money towards the new one. You will be surprised at what comes up on gumtree.
64l kitchen tank: 16 golden tetra.
5ft 425L: 7 blue angel fish, 30 rummie nose tetra, 20 black neon tetra, 1 longfin bristlenose plec, 2 corydoras sterbai, 2 SAE.
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