FLUORESCENT To LED! SAVE $$$ HOW-TO!

FLUORESCENT To LED! SAVE $$$ HOW-TO!
For decades, the most popular form of lighting available to aquarists were fluorescent tubes. In sizes such as T12 (1 ½” diameter) T8 (1” diameter,) and T5 (⅝” diameter) fluorescent tubes were highly effective at lighting fish, enhancing colours, and for growing plants or corals.
But there is another way. LED.
The good news is that fluorescent light tubes haven’t disappeared altogether. If you are shopping for a replacement T8 or T5 light tube, you can still purchase one. Just check the length in mm is the same, check its T8 or T5, and the wattage, and it will fit and run no problem.
But as time goes on, fluorescent light tubes are lacking some eco credentials, and governments may look to phase them out entirely in the coming years. In the home, in industry, and in aquariums.
LED lights don’t contain mercury, so are easier to recycle than fluorescents. They are also capable of producing more light per watt of energy used, than fluorescents, meaning an energy saving and lower running costs. And on top of all that, some are controllable, meaning that they can be dimmed, programmed, or even change colour.
Swapping to LED
So there are several benefits to swapping from fluorescent lights to LED. But how do you do it? And what happens if your old T8 or T5 fluorescent lamps are built into the hood of your aquarium? Don’t fear, as there are many solutions…
If you want to keep your old hood, lamp holders and light fittings, you need to consider retrofit LED lamps. The most straight forward retrofits are those provided by Arcadia and Aquarium Systems.
They are the same length, same diameter, have the same pins on the end, and can even be powered by the same ballast as your old T8 or T5 lamp. Just make sure you choose the right model to replace T8, or T5.
But if your old light ballast has failed, you have lots of options there too. AquaEl and TMC produce retrofit LED lights to replace T8 and T5 fluorescents, but this time they come with their own dedicated power supply.
This enables them to use the old lamp holders and physically replace the old fluorescent, by way of special lamp holder adaptors. But the lights themselves have a separate power supply. All of the above LEDs are slimline and will fit inside closed hoods, cover glasses, and integral light units. Make sure you get the right length if replacing Juwel fluorescent lamps
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