T5 choice for Juwel 180

[Slyspy]

Hi there. I'm looking for advice about which tubes to use on my Juwel Rio 180 once the orginal ones run out of juice. The supplied bulbs are Nature and Day. I wonder whether it would be worth trying a arcadia plant pro J tube instead of one or both of there, and which combination provides the best results in the opinion of ukaps members?

Cheers.

 

[CeeJay]

Hi Slyspy

Be careful when selecting your lamps. Standard lamp sizes will not fit a Rio 180.
You will have to buy Juwel lamps if you want to replace them and they will cost you an arm and a leg (anywhere between £15- £30 each ).
I have a Rio 180 and have a plan in place for when mine finally pack up.
See here.
viewtopic.php?f=50&t=6750

Hope that helps.

Oh, and the bottom line is, use which ever colour lamps you like the look of. The plants will adapt 😀

Check out this really useful thread by JamesC to give you some idea of colour combinations too.
viewtopic.php?f=50&t=555

Finally, I was advised by someone round here (with more experience than me), that the only time you need to change a lamp is if it doesn't work when you switch it on, or you fancy a different colour 😀 . The manufacturers will have you believe that they need replacing every 6 - 12 months because the output drops, and they want to line their pockets with your hard earned. Well the output will drop over time, but it won't stop your plants growing.
Spend the money you save yourself on some more plants .

Chris