Eclipse light fixture - replacement?

[Mandy]

Okay, I came to terms with the reality that I cannot buy a retrofit for
my Eclipse 3 to get more wattage. No one makes them.

So I ordered low light plants and went out and bought the best bulbs I
could for what I've got. Needed at least one new bulb anyway because
one was out.

Now it turns out that the bulb isn't out, the fixture isn't working.
Tried every bulb and it just isn't playing nice. On top of that, the
new coralife full spectrum bulb won't work in either slot. The
coralife atinic works in the one slot but I hate the look of the blue
light alone.

I should mention that the two new bulbs are T12s and the old ones were
more narrow, T8s.

So now I have to replace a fixture that I hate having in the first
place? Can I replace just the fixture or do I have to replace the
entire hood?

Why is nothing simple?
Aquariums are glass lined blackholes into which we pour money... :P

[Victor Martinez]

Mandy wrote:
> new coralife full spectrum bulb won't work in either slot. The
> coralife atinic works in the one slot but I hate the look of the blue
> light alone.

Why would you want an actinic bulb in a freshwater tank?

> place? Can I replace just the fixture or do I have to replace the
> entire hood?

I'm sure if you're handy enough you can replace the fixture.

--
Victor M. Martinez
Owned and operated by the Fantastic Seven (TM)
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[Mandy]

Not handy enough. what, in any of my posts, would make you think I
might possibly be handy enough??? lol... LFS said the actinic was
important to seeing all the colors...

[TYNK 7]

>Subject: Re: Eclipse light fixture - replacement?
>From: "Mandy"
>Date: 1/16/2005 3:36 A.M. Central Standard Time
>Message-id: . com>
>
>Not handy enough. what, in any of my posts, would make you think I
>might possibly be handy enough??? lol... LFS said the actinic was
>important to seeing all the colors..

Then, wouldn't a regular *full spectrum* bulb be what you need for a freshwater
tank?
Not being a marine hobbyist, I'm not sure about this, but aren't actinic bulbs
ultraviolet bulbs?

[Victor Martinez]

Mandy wrote:
> Not handy enough. what, in any of my posts, would make you think I
> might possibly be handy enough??? lol... LFS said the actinic was

I just meant that one person might be able to do it if that person were
handy. I'm quite handy, but I haven't tried tackling that particular
problem. I have an eclipse hood on my 20g long tank and it seems to be
sufficient for my purposes. It is a shallow tank, so the puny 18W of
light goes a long way.

> important to seeing all the colors...

Actinic is good for marine tanks, but not for freshwater planted tanks.
The light you have in your planted tank is for the plants, not for you. :)
Unless you like to be able to see very clearly and in nice colors a
bunch of dying plants.

--
Victor M. Martinez
Owned and operated by the Fantastic Seven (TM)
Send your spam here:
Email me here:

[Mandy]

LOL okay. I'm returning both today. I think I need T8 instead of T12
anyway.

[Mandy]

Okay, so when I returned the lights I discussed my frustration with the
Eclipse system with my LFS. Turns out he employs a guy who used to
work for the company that did do Eclipse retrofits. So he's going to
build me one next week!

It's not ideal - still only going to get a 65 watt pc but it's better
than 40 watts, and even better still than 20 watts which is all I'm
getting since one of the two terminals is broken. Should get that just
in time to take delivery on my new plants I ordered from
freshwateraquariumplants.com So, all is well in the world!

[Victor Martinez]

Mandy wrote:
> It's not ideal - still only going to get a 65 watt pc but it's better
> than 40 watts, and even better still than 20 watts which is all I'm

How many gallons is your tank?

--
Victor M. Martinez
Owned and operated by the Fantastic Seven (TM)
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[Mandy]

37 tall - maybe 35 gallons of water with displacement. I realize 65
watts ain't a lot but I've ordered all low light plants and I have a
CO2 set up so the ones I have are doing okay, except for the micro
sword which I got before I knew anything about lighting needs. ..

[Victor Martinez]

Mandy wrote:
> 37 tall - maybe 35 gallons of water with displacement. I realize 65
> watts ain't a lot but I've ordered all low light plants and I have a

You have almost 2 W/g, which is more than ok for most plants. And if
you're supplementing CO2, then I'd say you'll be suprised by your
results. Can you provide details on the process for retrofitting the CF
fixture? I'd be interested in doing something similar to my tank, but
probably with less light.

--
Victor M. Martinez
Owned and operated by the Fantastic Seven (TM)
Send your spam here:
Email me here:

[Mandy]

I'll try to get details this weekend when it gets done. I know a lot of
people have Eclipse tanks and have been as frustrated as I by the lack
of options!

[Mandy]

Okay, it's done - it's made by coralife - 1-65 watt compact. It fit
right in there. I didn't get the box it comes in but it looked pretty
easy / straight forward. There is definitely not enough room for 2-65.

Also it came with a 50/50 set up which they exchanged at no cost for
two 6700s. I did actually make it home and set it all up before I
realized that one of the bulbs was blue... yuck. Back to the store...
lol

email me if you want the email address of the the lfs.