Juwel lighting

[The-Wolf]

This was posted on another fish forum by a member there
I have his permission to re-post it here.

Thought I might share this with you, two emails one from Arcadia, the other from Sylvania Lighting (Sli) They're the people who provide the tubes in the Juwel tanks.

I was not convinced in using these tubes, and even managed to have two free tubes sent out by Sli - a slightly better version of what's in there already, and one of their Gro-Lux tubes - none compare to Arcadia - here's what they had to say.

Dear name omited,
The F15W Daylight 154 is an Artificial Daylight type used very much as an inexpensive ‘maid of all work’ and is more popular as a general lighting product in tropical climates. The 186 lamp alternative is a more expensive higher light output version of the 154. The Arcadia range of products is of excellent quality and has a wide variety of different types. I would recommend you call them on 02** ****** and see which best suits your tank set up as using specialist-designed lamps does pay in good results, in my opinion. Juwel only purchase our lamps through cost cutting measures and it makes it very cheap for them to do so. The lamps provided in Juwel aquariums are not for aquatic use, nor can they have any positive effect on the growth of plants what so ever.
Regards,
P.L.
Sylvania Lighting

Then this came along...........

Dear name omited,

Your e-mail to Sylvania Lighting has been forward to me by them

I was delighted to see that you were previously using our specialist aquarium lamps and would certainly suggest that you continue to do so, especially if you had some good results. Our tubes are made for aquarium use and are designed to do the job they do. Juwel put the cheapest possible daylight lamps into their aquariums as they could not afford to sell they aquariums at such a competitive price if they started out with ours. Your aquarium shop should really be advising you to change the lamps as they are, in aquatic terms, pretty useless!
Looking forward to hearing from you
Best regards
J.H.
Arcadia-UK

So, I think that sums it up! The tubes are ideal if you're not going to be playing around with real plants in there, although the likes of Java Moss will pretty much do well under any conditions. Plants need as much care and attention as the your fish, and the right sort of kit as well. Juwel make some of the finest quality aquariums available, and some great filters, however, if you're looking at growing plants - it's worth getting some good tubes for them

I felt this needed posting here as there are many members with Juwel tanks.

Note for William and mods;
I will happily let you know via pm the forum this is on and you may contact the original poster to varify I have his permission to post this here.

 

[Joviella]

Thanks for that paul......I have many juwel tanks and that makes for interesting re-thinks on replacing bulbs.

 

[The-Wolf]

OMG!
where have you been hun?
((((((((big hugs ))))))))
glad your back

 

[GSD]

oo i have a jewel.I dunno if the ligh is a jewel i upgraded it because it was far too dark

 

[Fiori]

I've got 3 juwels all with plants - mostly low to mid light plants right enough - and not had any problems, or lack of plant growth. And no algae problems either (touch wood)

 

[Bloo]

that's shocking. Well luckily I've changed all of mine - but great to know for future reference.

 

[~nessy~]

i have a jewal fishtank and after reading that i think im thinking of getting a new light can anyone recommend a good light that will help aid my plants and make my fish happy

 

[Proterra]

Thanks for posting that - I have two Juwel tanks and was going to replace the lighting in one of them and had been looking for the Sylvania lamps but maybe now I wont bother.

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

I have juwel lighting in all my tanks it might explain partly why i havn't ever been very successful at raising the majority of types of plants...I use flora boost to fertillise my plants on a regular basis, but if the tank is not near a window that has natural sunlight the plants don't seen to fair very well at all...

 

[morgan]

I have a Juwel Rekord 96, I am using the light that came with the tank and the plants grow very well. I have one plant which I have to trim each week it is so fast-growing.

 

[One_Trick_Pony]

great tip paul the next thing i do will be to change that light over!!

EDIT: and nessy go for the arcadia ones they work just fine

 

[Dubby]

Thanks for that post Paul. Should be of great help to people who are starting out with Juwel tanks.

Interesting to see Sylvania recommending Arcadia. Does this mean Arcadia purchase Sylvania bulbs and rebrand them?

 

[dwarfgourami]

Well, that explains a lot! I have a very healthy crop of brown algae though, perhaps I should just concentrate on growing them.

 

[fatguppy]

Sorry to be dim (ooops bit of a pun there - not intended!) - but we have a Juwel tank 40 gallons/180 litres. It has two bulbs - so I take it what you are saying is that none of the Juwel lights are ideal for plants?

And when you mention Arcadia lighting - I take it this is a manufacturers name - and can these be purchased at the usual venues?

We've been into this in total for about 6 months and have purchased the above mentioned tank in the last 2 months so have not needed to think about lighting so far. I must admit that the back light appears much brighter than the front and the only disappointment with our new tank was that the lighting at the front seemed a "bit yellowy" - so I guess this is what you all mean. What sort of prices are we looking at to replace - do I need to replace both bulbs and what do I look for as an ideal light (wattage etc)

Thanks for any advice - lighting was not something I thought to worry about just yet!!!

 

[The-Wolf]

yes arcadia are tube makers and any decent LFS should have them in stock, prices start at around £12 but can go up to £25 depending on lenght and type of tube required.