Glomat 2 Double Tube Light

[hollyp0p]

Glomat 2

the light unit in my juwel rekord 60 has been broken since october and it's depressing me now, I'm looking to fir my own new non juwel light unit in and run it, due to the small size of this tank I believe I can only really get away with 15W bulbs, but I also want my plants to be able to survive better and came across this double light unit......do you think I could get away with two 15 inch bulbs here?

Or do you think I'm looking at maybe 2 seperate starters and lights?

Any tips would be most appreciated

Cheers!

 

[hollyp0p]

does anybody know?
pleeeeeeeeeeeeease?

 

[three-fingers]

Without measuring it myself or seeing pics, I couldn't say for sure. Sounds OK though, but could be a tight fit.

I would recommend just sticking one 18" 24W T5 tube and a decent reflector in there instead, it's a 60cm tank right? So with a bit of DIY should fit more snugly.

Would likely give more light than 30w of T8 bulbs, especially if you fit a decent reflector.

Another option would be a 36W compact T5 bulb, which would give about the same light if not slightly more as the 18" 24W T5 option but would be hotter, so if it's a flimsy hood, don't bother.

 

[hollyp0p]

Without measuring it myself or seeing pics, I couldn't say for sure. Sounds OK though, but could be a tight fit.

I would recommend just sticking one 18" 24W T5 tube and a decent reflector in there instead, it's a 60cm tank right? So with a bit of DIY should fit more snugly.

Would likely give more light than 30w of T8 bulbs, especially if you fit a decent reflector.

Another option would be a 36W compact T5 bulb, which would give about the same light if not slightly more as the 18" 24W T5 option but would be hotter, so if it's a flimsy hood, don't bother.

The max room at the top is 22", so 18" would be fine, the juwel bulbs are 18".

Where would you recommend findthing the 24W T5 and starter units, sounds like my best bet

Thankyou!!

 

[three-fingers]

That's the awkward part, and why I added the compact T5 option.

If it was me, I would buy Arcadia Ultraseal T5 leads and a T5 reflectorfrom this page: [URL="http/www.fishandfins.co.uk/aquarium-lighting.htm"]http/www.fishandfins.co.uk/aquarium-lighting.htm[/URL].
Then I would buy a ballast and a daylight T5 bulb from this place:[URL="http/www.bltdirect.com/product.php?pid=5912&cat=497&nm=T5+High+Frequency+Single+Ballast+14-35+Watt"]http/www.bltdirect.com/product.php?pid=5...last+14-35+Watt[/URL].
There's cheap ballasts on eBay too, like these:[URL="http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/2-X-PHILIPS-HF-MATCHBOX-124-SH-HIGH-FREQUENCY-BALLAST_W0QQitemZ370183559633QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_BOI_Lights_Lighting_ET?hash=item370183559633&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1683|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318"]http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/2-X-PHILIPS-HF-MATCH...%3A1|240%3A1318[/URL].

Then I'd wire it up myself. Should cost £30 - £40 total.

Otherwise, your looking at around £60 for an Arcadia starter unit, then you still need the reflector and bulb . It's a very good quality ballast, but is just awkward when you consider the prices of the double units. If you don't mind the price, it's by far the sleekest and easier to install option.

Annoyingly, double T5 units are about the same price as the T8 version you linked to before, only they would be nearly as hard to squeeze in as the T8 version, and would give you too much light unless you block it with floating plants or go high-tech .

 

[hollyp0p]

yeah those compact T5's look good actually, only problem is I'm finding the starter units don't seem to be available, like they're upgrading them or something but have none on sale

 

[three-fingers]

Yeah, apparently, due to new EU legislation, they are phasing them out. So no more of the units are being made.

You can still get them though, at some LFS or they show up on eBay every now and then. There is certainly still units around for sale, but you may need to phone up loads of shops and ask if they will post them out.

They are pretty good, not as efficient as T5 linear tubes due to all the re-strike and heat generated, but they come in higher wattages anyway. Very good for fitting high amounts of light in awkward spaces.

Bulbs are very easy to source, Interpet are going to keep making their bulbs after they stop making the units, and it's a standard type of bulb so you should always be able to get them from the internet or lighting stores.

I was just hesitant to recommend them because of the heat, I use one on my Juwel Trigon corner tank, and it has started to warp the plastic it's attached to (been using it for nearly 2 years though).

If you find you have any problems with the heat melting your hood, you will have to use a reflector to act as a heatsink. For these, do a quick google search at the time then ask around at LFS's. Worst case scenario is you have to DIY one, but I doubt that will be much of an issue.

For your tank, I would recommend a 36W version.

If you ever have algae problems from the high light, just add floating plants .

 

[hollyp0p]

Yeah that's a shame, I've read they're going to replace them at some point but nobody knows when that will be.
I'll have a really round my LFS's soon as there's a few down here and see what i can find