better lighting for an eclipse 6 ?

[2a]

has anyone tried, or seen on the net a way to add more light to a tiny eclipse 6 (6 gallon acrylic with hood)? i was interested in modifying the one that i got and was wondering how much i could get away with.

thanks in advance !!!

[Pineapple House]

The eclipes set up doesnt always go along with the reefers lighting:
http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/attachment.php?s=&postid=40065

As you can see, the eclipes set-ups are not disinged for reef lighting, but can acomodate some PC lighting.

For lighting:
Power compacts are a newer type of lighting that enables a greater intensity of fluorescent light to be produced by a smaller amount of surface area with a lower consumption of electricity. For the same amount of watts, you are getting more "bang for your buck" (in terms of lumens, a more accurate measure of light intensity) than a standard fluorescent, but because they are efficient, they also run cooler (for example, a 65W PC bulb requires less space on the top, and produce a lot less heat than say, the 5 or 6 standard normal output bulbs and ballasts you would need to get 55 watts). I would highly recommend these, as they are very good lighting, are on the cheap side, and run quite cool.

VHO stands for "very high output", another newer form of fluorescent lighting technology (though not as new as PC). As far as I can understand it, VHO operate by the same basic principle as a NO fluorescent, but the filament is different to allow for more current to be applied to each bulb (so subsequently, they need a different and stronger ballast as well). I would recommend these for mixed corals, from LPS, to softies, although PC's would be my #1 choice.


However, everyone will still have different opinions and long-standing preferences that are difficult to change. And there are also advocates of MH (metal halides, the true heavyweights of lighting. Able to give off the greatest intensity of all for true fans of intense lighting, but very expensive and run quite hot), that throw their opinions into the mix to confuse things further, so the debate is still ongoing. I would recommend MH for people who would like to start keeping SPS corals and Clams.

PC would be my choice for lighting, but that would be up to you. www.hellolights.com has some awesome deals for lighting, so make sure to check it out.

I would get the 32wt PC 50/50 lighting. This, has one bulb actinic (03), the other daylight (10,000k). I would highly recommend this. The 20wts 50/50 is also good. I would personally watch the tank from time to time, and see if the bulb gets too hot for the hood. I would recommend placing a small fan (you can buy the small ones at home depot of almost half the price you would pay for one at the LFS) in the hood of the tank, this will likely cool off the hood as well as the surface water of the tank.

PH =)

[phistio]

this link here at about.com explains for an eclipse 1...the 6 is no different...you could go with a bigger PC...also, petco has a retro pc ballast for $55.00, and the bulbs can be found pretty affordable online...as well as other retro kits...

http://saltaquarium.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.inlandreef.com%2 Feclipse.html

[2a]

thanks for the replies. i have some other tanks, but have never done salt. i just picked up the eclipse 6 ($47 shipped) for a "work tank" and wanted to know if i could make it function as a nano-reef. if it can do it, i'll next have to decide if i should attempt it at work. if not, i'll just go planted freshwater.

thanks again!

[Irisservice]

Don't be discouraged!!!
Its easy to do.
Just use this kit
http://www.hellolights.com/14nanretkit.html
one should be plenty at 4.66watts per gallon
I would get the 50/50 bulb and your set,and heat would not be an issue.

[Seadazed]

Hey PineappleHouse: Didn't that guys tank burn down because of faulty wiring? Besides I think in the post he stated that he had PC's over the tank.

But yeah, MH lights are tricky for Eclipse tanks. With the heat generated by a MH bulb it could possibly melt the hood. Also on RC they have an announcement about PFO having recall because of the light melting the wiring. But that is a 250w and I think the wires are somehow run too close to the bulb.(not familiar w/ the setup being recalled/updated)

In the end I would also choose PC's. They have very good lumen output for their size. And they have proven to be very good a sustaining a variety of inverts. I would recomend CSL retro kits (if available for your size hood). These are proven lighting setups and many nano reefers use them with good results. HTH

[Irisservice]

This is another route with 70W 10,000K HQI "Double Ended" - Ushio
metal halide.

Use
http://www.hellolights.com/75whqiushio.html
http://www.hellolights.com/39w50w70w11p.html
http://www.hellolights.com/15hqilamholw.html
I think that this would look awesome!!
I would install the ballast external to reduce heat and install fan in canopy.