T5 Lights

[shiggybiggs]

Just bought a Juwel rio 300 second hand,
(length is 121cm or 447.5" ish)
It came with the t5 bar but the tubes in it arent the best colour and id rather be able to use normal t5 tubes in it so I plan to upgrade the lights in it to 4 t5 tubes. My question is for the 'controller' or 'ballast' or whatever its called. Are arcadia kits the best and worth the money or could I go for something cheaper? If so does anyone have any recomendations? Im going to have to buy 2 kits, so the £70 each is a bit steep.

Cheers in advance.

 

[saltynay]

Arcadia kits are good but not worth paying a premium for imo however there aren't that many other options. What exactly are you trying to do just replace the lighting control system inside the current hood or have a completely new lighting system without the current hood?

 

[shiggybiggs]

I am going to replace the normal t5's with 4 white t5's and an actinic t8 probably. Im planning on having 2 on the current light bar (but the lighting kit outside the hood probably on the side of the cabinet) then 2 more t5's on the rear access flap, because I dont really need into it as I have external filters etc. The only time I will need to open it is to change the light tubes.

I did this on my current tank but I was only putting 2 tubes in it, both on the original light bar. I got the dual lighting kit thing for £17.99 incl p+p that time... And as this is a bigger tank and im upgrading I would rather upgrade the lights too while I am at it.

 

[shiggybiggs]

Also all tubes will be inside the hood with no condensation tray.