T5 lighting and Juwel being very annoying!!

[ia246]

The lighting for my Juwel rio 400 is a twin T5 light unit.

I thought it would take standard T5 tubes but it doesnt!! - It takes 1200mm T5 tubes whilst the industry standard seems to be 1149mm!!!

Anybody know if I can get hold of 1200mm T5 tubes from anywhere without having to pay ridiculous Juwel prices?

[Rick Thibert]

I will inquire for you Ian. :)

What sort of price do Juwel want anyway?

BC

[ia246]

The best I can see a juwel tube for is £20 (but the RRP is about £30 per tube I think!!)

Considering a standard tube is about £2-3 its pretty damn ridiculous.

To be honest I am thining of buying a T5 controller rather than replacing the bulb!!

Let me know if you uncover any good info Rick - cheers!

[Rick Thibert]

Will do mate!

My man down the Wholesalers is pretty good on odd things. I'll give it a go............. T5 stuff is generally more dear! :)

I'll swap you a fully functional T8 set for it?? :)

BC

[Rick Thibert]

Just got my return call............ can't get the tubes.................. looks like Juwel thought this one out. :(

BC

[ia246]

I have decided to bite the bullet and get myself an expensive Juwel tube :(

I might look at modifying my light unit (when I have time) to take smaller tubes - should not be too difficult...

[Farmer John]

hey man i know what ure saying! i spent tons on juwel stuff in my one juwel tank!!

[Jim Dawson]

Hi All

I was talking to a Jewel rep some time back and pointed out that his lights were not a standard fit and got told it was Jewel's policy to ensure their spares were used with their kit. I suspect that it will only be short while till some enterprising firm duplicates them and puts them out cheaper but until then anyone with Jewel T5 kit is stuck with their prices.

Ian if you do decide to modify your light unit it is not that easy, you can get it apart and resized but getting it waterproof again is not easy you will need a plastic welding kit.

Regards

Jim

[tenby2]

you could try this company Ian
http://www.cp-lighting.co.uk/index.html
click downloads then their 48 page catalogue.
if you can't see the lamp you're after then give 'em a ring, but there isn't many missing, save for the full spectrum spots I was once after, but that's another thread!

there are times when I'm glad I chose to be a sparky!

[PsYcHoTiC_MaDmAn]

arcadia make some juwel specific lt5 tubes.

however this is why I wont be buying juwel tanks from now on. as I'll either have to replace the lighting unit, or buy expensive juwel bulbs.

£20 was the cheapest I found any juwel specific bulbs.

whereas I could buy expensive giesemann tubes at £12 each. and other plant growth spectrums for as little as £3 apiece.

its a pity that T5 starters are so expensive