[Angrytomato]

Hi,

So I recently purchased a second hand Fluval Roma 90L.

I set it up with my plants and away I went. 2 months later not much is growing at all. Everything surviving but not thriving.

I've just looked at the tube lights and the original bulbs have been replaced with a (very) cheap LED set, which would explain why the plants aren't growing. The bulbs are approx 45cm long

Has anyone got any idea what bulb I should get for this tank to replace them with? Google has led to more confusion.

I've had very good success growing plants in other tanks, this is very frustrating!

Any help appreciated

 

[jeffkrol]

Hi,

So I recently purchased a second hand Fluval Roma 90L.

I set it up with my plants and away I went. 2 months later not much is growing at all. Everything surviving but not thriving.

I've just looked at the tube lights and the original bulbs have been replaced with a (very) cheap LED set, which would explain why the plants aren't growing. The bulbs are approx 45cm long

Has anyone got any idea what bulb I should get for this tank to replace them with? Google has led to more confusion.

I've had very good success growing plants in other tanks, this is very frustrating!

Any help appreciated

Well one place states this:

with two powerful T8 fluorescent light tubes

Good thing is if it's t5 the bulbs won't fit.
Believe t12 and 8 are interchangeable though..

T5 and t5HO are interchangeable and require different ballasts to function properly though they will "work" w/ the wrong ballasts.
T5ho ballast will run a t5no bulb hot.
t5 ballast will run a t5no dim.
Anyways..

Fluval Roma 90 Light Repair

Okay. This post doesn't fit with the general theme of USM , but it's better here than over at PTWD , so here goes... My Fluval Roma ...

undergroundsalaryman.blogspot.com

Thing is did they remove the ballasts?

18" t8 best guess.

 

[Angrytomato]

Well one place states this:

Good thing is if it's t5 the bulbs won't fit.
Believe t12 and 8 are interchangeable though..

T5 and t5HO are interchangeable and require different ballasts to function properly though they will "work" w/ the wrong ballasts.
T5ho ballast will run a t5no bulb hot.
t5 ballast will run a t5no dim.
Anyways..

Fluval Roma 90 Light Repair

Okay. This post doesn't fit with the general theme of USM , but it's better here than over at PTWD , so here goes... My Fluval Roma ...

undergroundsalaryman.blogspot.com

Thing is did they remove the ballasts?

18" t8 best guess.

Thank you for your reply. Very much appreciated.

Having just got the bulbs out and been able to see what bulbs they were. They're these Osram T8 L 15W 865 G13 Lumilux

So I don't actually think they are LEDs just very cheap T8s.

So I think I can either just put new T8s in. Or can I put new LEDs in, or would I have to change the ballast for that?

Apologies I'm a complete beginner with electronics! ....

 

[jeffkrol]

Thank you for your reply. Very much appreciated.

Having just got the bulbs out and been able to see what bulbs they were. They're these Osram T8 L 15W 865 G13 Lumilux

So I don't actually think they are LEDs just very cheap T8s.

So I think I can either just put new T8s in. Or can I put new LEDs in, or would I have to change the ballast for that?

Apologies I'm a complete beginner with electronics! ....

Some LED tube replacements require bypassing (removing) the ballast. Some don't.

T8 LED 18" DirectDrive Tube - 7 Watts - 700 Lumens - Direct Wire - Keystone

Buy Online Keystone Lighting 7 Watt 18" Direct Drive LED Tube Light, which is the replacement for direct wire 18 inch fluorescent T8 tubes.

www.lightup.com

Would need to remove ballast:
Example:

https://www.rablighting.com/downloads/instructions/t8-12-48g-8xx-se-byp-inst.pdf

Don't know how old the fixture is so could have can starters or more modern electronic ballast.
Either way would need to be removed.

18" (or whatever is closest) is a hard size to find in led in general.
BUT there are still some:

Aqueon Floramax T8 Fluorescent Bulb, 18" Length, 15 Watts | Petco

Casts a warm glow that stimulates plant growth and showcases a vibrant planted aquascape. This aquarium lamp is excellent for all varieties of aquatic plants and can be used with most fluorescent aquarium light fixtures.

www.petco.com

The "standard" 24 or 48" are easy esp in LED replacements.

A common DIY upgrade is replacing the ballast and endcaps for t5ho.
Think 18" t8's are easier to find than 18" t5ho.
and of course need to make sure you match bulb/ballast
ho ballast ho bulb ect.

Sorry more questions really than answers.
T8's are adequate and most 18" LED s per tube are more a linear upgrade than power upgrade.
750 better directed LED lumens vs 840 diffuse tube lumens.