Trigon 190 Tank Light

[jollyroger]

hi all
hoping some one can advise me?
i have a trigon 190, its 2 years old and in that time the front tank light has gone twice, seems that after a year its gone.
the tank uses two tubes 18watts each
would i be better off using a differant brand than juwel?

 

[Dinnie]

I've had my 190 for about 18 months. In this time, I've had no problems with my tubes. In fact, I'm going to replace my tubes with another brand but keep the actual ballast as juwel tubes aren't the best.
If you are going to replace the whole system, how about considering the juwel T5 high-lite system for about £55 (excl the tubes). They provide higher wattage output and are therefore more efficient.

 

[jollyroger]

thanks for the reply
i am keeping the actual ballast
but want to know if its safe or wise to use differant tubes apart from juwel
something like the 'Arcadia 24” 18 Watt T8 Original Tropical Lamp' as they only cost about £8 compare to juwel £27

i have no live plants in tank, just plastic plants and rock and the fish i have are guppyies and a algae eater.

 

[Essjay]

Hi, I've been using an Arcadia Original Tropical and an Arcadia Freshwater with the Juwel ballast for several months with no problems at all. I didn't like the colours of the Juwel tubes. Mind you, I've probably invalidated the warranty by changing them!

 

[jollyroger]

thanks essjay
did you change both lights to these then
Arcadia Original Tropical and an Arcadia Freshwater

Arcadia Original Tropical on the front and Arcadia Freshwater
for the back?

thanks again

 

[Essjay]

I put the Freshwater at the front and the Original Tropical at the back, because I prefer the colours that way round. The Freshwater is white and the Tropical is pinky purple. I've found the orange and red colours in my fish to be intensified. I've also put reflectors on both tubes. I don't have a large number of plants - just hornwort, and java fern on every rock and ornament I can manage to attach it to, and they seem to thrive with this combination.

 

[jollyroger]

thanks very much for that , will give that a try.