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?)
New light or new tank?
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40L nano
4x xiphophorus pygmaeus
Cherry shrimp
2x assassin snail
80L 'stairway'
4x Cherry Barb
10x X-ray tetra
4x Amano
1x Dwarf Neon Rainbow
20L Qtank
just java moss
4x xiphophorus pygmaeus
Cherry shrimp
2x assassin snail
80L 'stairway'
4x Cherry Barb
10x X-ray tetra
4x Amano
1x Dwarf Neon Rainbow
20L Qtank
just java moss
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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
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
- 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.
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.
- Stephen
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@plankton
Is there an individual switch or something?
Thanks
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
4 x Cupid Cichlids, 14 x Cory caudimaculatus, 13 x Cory sterbai 52 x Reed Tetra, 4 x Honeycomb Bristlenose (L519)
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4 x Cupid Cichlids, 14 x Cory caudimaculatus, 13 x Cory sterbai 52 x Reed Tetra, 4 x Honeycomb Bristlenose (L519)
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- fr499y
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Nooo!! Heat would of killed it.
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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
- 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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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.
5ft 425L: 7 blue angel fish, 30 rummie nose tetra, 20 black neon tetra, 1 longfin bristlenose plec, 2 corydoras sterbai, 2 SAE.