Eclipse 6 gallon lighting

[ljr]

Help! My current tank only provides 8 watts and I believe I need at least 12 watts to grow live plants. I have removed the biowheel (is that really so essential?) and have set up a dyi co2, but, I need to bump up the watts. Any one have any ideas, other than upgrading my whole system? ???

 

[equinom]

I think the deciding factor is going to be size of the hood.  

Have you figured out how much light you want to try for?  The tank dimensions and the plants you would like to have will strongly influence the total wattage needed.

How big is the hood on the tank?  (l x w)  Some of the power compacts are small, but 6 gal might be too small to hold one.

I have an Eclipse 12 gal bow front.  I was able to upgrade the light to 32 watt with a power compact fixture.  It was simple to install and works great.

Some folks don't like the Eclipse tanks... they are pretty limiting on modifications.  I have two Eclipse (5 gal hex and 12 gal) and I like them both!

 

[ljr]

Available space on the hood is 13" x 3" x 2". I'm trying to get 12 to maybe 15 watts. I saw a small reflector, but, if you are familiar with Eclipse, you know there isn't any room between the lighting housings and the lift up portion of the hood. The reflector would block too much. > I was also wondering if I find something and retrofit, would the lights burn too hot and melt the hood?

I like the size of the 6 gallon. I got into this in order to entertain my cat.   *laughingcryingsmiley*Now I'm into dyi co2 and plants!

I sent an email to some aquarium light website and haven't heard anything

 

[skamps]

I know folks who've grown plants in the eclipse 6 unaltered, but the plant growth is slow, which might be okay because it is a small tank to start with.

What fish are you going to have in there?

 

[catfishmike]

i grow plants in a regent 5gal. witch is the same thing minus 1gal.the plants grow slow thats all

 

[ronrca]

Like equinom mentioned, it really depends on the plants you want to keep. You can just get low light plants, put some C02 in and your plants will grow fine. Maybe a little slow but grow nevertheless.

However, if you dont want to limit yourself in plants and you are confined in space, go for the pc lighting (or if you want to diy, overdrive fluorescents). Great lighting in the least amount of space without having to go to MH's.