How To Increase Lighting?

[martin_jones]

I have a Juwel 260L (about 70 US Gallon) which has two Arcadia lights. It is the standard tank hood which has space for two tubes.

Each is 38W (I think) which gives me about 1 WPG. (Am I correct so far?)

I am trying to do a planted aquarium with CO2, which means I need between 2 and 3 WPG.

Is it possible to get higher wattage tubes, or do I need to add more tubes?

Would adding reflectors increase the lighting and if so, by how much?

TIA

Martin

 

[scubadoo]

Adding reflectors will help immensely - can effecively mean that 50% more light is directed down at your aquarium rather than being absorbed by your hood etc.

I'm fairly certain you cant just change flouro. tubes for equivalent ones with a greater output (like you can with traditional tungsten lamps) since it depends on the power output of the ballast.

IMO your only real option is to add more tubes to significantly increase your light levels.

 

[raptorrex]

Adding reflectors will help immensely - can effecively mean that 50% more light is directed down at your aquarium rather than being absorbed by your hood etc.

I'm fairly certain you cant just change flouro. tubes for equivalent ones with a greater output (like you can with traditional tungsten lamps) since it depends on the power output of the ballast.

IMO your only real option is to add more tubes to significantly increase your light levels.

you will need new ballast for the higher wattage, they run about £15-25. Juwel are a sod cos you will need a new tank hood to add more lights. ive never opened the Juwel hood up, so it may be possible to replace tha standard balleat with one of a highter wattage. but that is a guess!!!

 

[bingy_bong]

Hi i am currently setting up a juwel aquarim as well


I bought a second Jewel twin light off Fleabay (brand new) and fit that as well. I have also fitted reflectors to all and changed the tubes for trocal ones.

One downside is that the lid has to be cut to accommodate the extra light unit

As its a new tank i took out the unsightly internal box filter with a sharp knife and replaced it with an eheim2028 external canister. Improved looks no end.

I have a 100 watt heater cable in (just waiting for the substrate mix)

I too will be running co2

I hope this helps

Heres a link if it helps

http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/Juwel-Lighting-Unit-...1QQcmdZViewItem