Eclipse 12: Light Issues

[amilasiu]

Hi all,

just got my first aquarium - Eclipse 12 and ultimately want to do a planted aquarium. However, it seems that the light included in the system (13 watts for 12 gallons) is not enough to even grow low-light plants (even anubias seem to need 1.5 watts per gallon which is less what I've got now). What to do? I assumed I could just put in a different lightbulb but it does not seem I can do it. Was not able to find a suitable bulb replacement online. Currently it is a compact fluorescent bulb; however, none of the bulbs I saw online resembled it nor would fit in the eclipse hood...

Anyway, I am wondering if there IS way to replace that darn bulb. Maybe 13 watts for 12 gallons is enough? Any advice? Would like to order my plants asap

thanks

 

[amilasiu]

Hmm, found higher watt eclipse replacement bulbs, but question: will they fit in the canopy?

Now I wish I just got a simple tank and customized it myself...; :?

 

[bzbee]

http://www.gardenbanter.co.uk/showthread.php?threadid=37230

This thread may give you some leads

 

[amilasiu]

Thanks
I've ordered Custom Sealife 65 retrofit, that's nearly 3 watts per galon. Woohoo, now I can grow some funky plants

Although, I should have read up on the Eclipse more: no wonder that online sellers would not tell how little light this system offers.

 

[bzbee]

Do you mean the Custom Sealife 32W retrofit?

 

[amilasiu]

Right, the 32W one.

don't want to cook my fish....

 

[Galerius]

Although the lighting is very low, you can grow plants in an Eclipse 12. I took background I bought from PetSmart and completely covered the the back and left and right sides, leaving only the front exposed. This helps keep as much light inside the tank as possible.

I currently have 1 rather large Anubias nana barteri, a massive amount of java moss, and some Rotala indicia. All 3 plant species are healthy and fill the small tank up nicely.