What does “retrofit“ mean?
Retrofit refers to the option of converting conventional T5/T8 tubes to the JBL LED SOLAR system. You can, without having to remove the aquarium cover or make any structural changes, simply "plug" the new LED into the old tube sockets for operation. Many cat owners are unable to operate an "open" aquarium and therefore need an aquarium cover. The aquarium surroundings also sometimes prevent an open installation. In such cases the retrofit installation is ideal.
Which LED length fits my aquarium?
You will find a tabular overview on the packaging of every LED. This will tell you which LED SOLAR fits your aquarium. There are two application scenarios for this.
1. You replace an existing T5/T8 tube to install the LED as a retrofit. In this case please refer to the relevant column. Most aquarium owners prefer the shorter model because of the small distances left and right of the tube socket in the aquarium cover. You can either select according to the length of the tube (in mm) or according to the wattage.
2. The second type of installation is as a top assembly or hanging installation. Here the maximum aquarium width is decisive. Please refer to the relevant column. For this type of installation, always choose the larger of the two options for optimal illumination.
Can I operate an LED SOLAR EFFECT unit on its own?
The operation of the LED SOLAR EFFECT on its own does not provide the lighting, which is absolutely necessary for fish and plants, in sufficient quantities. Due to the existing plug configuration, which has been selected for your safety, the LED SOLAR EFFECT must be operated together with a LED SOLAR NATUR. If you individually purchase the LED SOLAR EFFECT which is intended only as a supplement to the LED SOLAR NATUR, you will not have all the necessary accessories. This is why you only find the driver (power supply), the IR receiver and the remote control in the box of SOLAR LED NATURE. And that’s why the LED SOLAR EFFECT can only be operated in combination with the LED SOLAR NATUR.
How can the LEDSOLAR NATUR and EFFECT be installed?
There are only three ways to attach the JBL LED SOLAR NATUR and EFFECT units to an aquarium and none of these involve “simply” placing the LED on it.
1. Retrofitting: using the enclosed adapters, you fit them at both ends of the LED body and put it into the old tube sockets (T5/T8).
2. Top assembly: with the enclosed brackets, the LEDs can be safely positioned on the edge of the aquarium, without any danger of them falling in or being too close to the water surface.
3. Suspension: Using the LED SOLAR Hanging accessory, you can position your LED down hanging from the ceiling so that it hovers above the aquarium.
Can I connect two LED SOLAR NATUR units to just one power supply?
Unfortunately this is not possible - you will need two power supplies. One driver (power supply) has the capacity to connect one LED SOLAR NATUR and one LED SOLAR EFFECT, which together create an efficient and ideal aquarium lighting. If you need a high power light aquarium and have a particularly large number of plants, you can easily install another LED SOLAR NATUR with another driver, which is included with each LED SOLAR NATUR kit free of charge. The power supply cannot handle the power of two LED SOLAR NATUR units. Therefore, we strongly advise against the use of a home-made adapter.
How much lumen does my LED SOLAR NATURE have?
On the back of your packaging and in the instructions for use you will find a table that shows the lumen specification (at 4000 K) per product type. Unlike other LED types, the LED SOLAR NATUR mixes the light of cold white and warm white LED to produce the three possible Kelvin numbers. Maximum flexibility for your aquarium type. None of the LEDs runs at the maximum power of 100 %, thus ensuring a long lifetime. This makes it possible to generate lumen values that are almost always identical. The deviation between the 3 colour spaces is minimal.
Can the LED SOLAR be placed directly on a glass brace?
LEDs produce heat, which the metal heat sink on the back of the JBL LED SOLAR dissipates. In order to avoid unwanted discoloration on the protective glass, uneven illumination in the aquarium and heat problems on the LED, the LED SOLAR NATUR and EFFECT units should always be mounted at a distance of min. 1 cm to the material below (e.g. a glass brace). The brackets enclosed for installing them as a top assembly or the wire suspension mean that no direct contact is necessary. Installing a retrofit in the tube socket is likewise safe.
