Rio 240 Light Faulty

[Tazzyb]

Hello! I'm new here!

I have a RIO 240 tank which has been great for the past couple of years (bought new) but just recently the light unit has stopped working.

I have replaced both light tubes which has not helped any! When you switch it on the light flickers for a second then goes out. I'm guessing its the unit thats faulty but it is all sealed up! I have had a peep on line and new units are selling for £75

Is this my only option or can it be fixed? Any help appreciated!

Thanks

 

[rabbut]

I'd cut it open, and replace the origional balast with a new one. New balasts are about £30, and you can wire direct to the existing fittings

The VDU (the bit that gives the tube a "kick"of charge to start) in the origional unit has probibly failed, and in the Juwel tanks, these are none-replaceable

HTH
Rabbut

EDIT TO ADD, Aquarium System's balasts are good, as are Arcadias

to TFF

 

[Davo86]

Been there and got the T-shirt

I had a go at breaking the unit apart but it can't really be done without making it look a total mess,
I eventually got one of an ebay store for around £65

 

[Wolfenrook]

If it's the old T8 type then the chokes units ARE replaceable, they are just well hidden under screw in covers. The newer T5 High Lite units however have electronic ballasts. I have also read a few posts in various places from people who said that on the newer units the bulb holders seem to become too loose, and that they got them working again by pushing them towards the middle.

I personally would not advise going down the route of replacing the ballast (too much work, and too much that can go wrong), or getting another bar. Instead I would recommend going the route of either 1 or 2 (depending upon whether you want medium or high lighting) dual T5HO Hagen Glo Luminaires, or one of the Luminaires sold by EQJ Trading on ebay. I got a 4x39 watt unit for my Rio 180 from EQJ Trading for about £119 delivered. The best thing about going down this route is that it opens up the world of using normal T5HO tubes instead of branded ones (you could use normal T8s in the older Juwel units as well, but at £70 each why go this route?), for example the tubes I use in mine are 39 watt Osram Lumilux T5HO 865 tubes that cost £3.23 each.

HTH

Ade

 

[rabbut]

+1 for EQJ trading, they are a good seller I've also used them. My 4 ft luminare with 3X52W tubes cost £60 delivered, and I cannot fault it

You can replace the balast if you know what you are doing, and can also do it neetly if you know the design, I personaly have done it for one customer at work. However, if the tank is still under warrenty, you should note that such repairs will void the warrenty

All the best
Rabbut

 

[Wolfenrook]

+1 for EQJ trading, they are a good seller I've also used them. My 4 ft luminare with 3X52W tubes cost £60 delivered, and I cannot fault it

You can replace the balast if you know what you are doing, and can also do it neetly if you know the design, I personaly have done it for one customer at work. However, if the tank is still under warrenty, you should note that such repairs will void the warrenty

All the best
Rabbut

Yeah, I was unlucky. The 4x39 watt fittings seem to be their most popular item, and I had some plank bidding against me who was willing to pay more than the buy now price, so when the auction hit the buy now price and kept going I just went off and got one out of the buy now section. lol

Smaller and larger luminaires seem to get auctioned for much less though, with the 24 watt fittings often selling for about £40+delivery.

Oh and if you tank is still under warranty (which I get the feeling it isn't) you can just get your light fitting repaired or replaced under the warranty.

Ade

 

[Tazzyb]

Thanks for all the excellent advice!

I will look in this and maybe let you know how it goes!

Cheers!