Help with eclipse 3 canopy.

[obsolete]

I was wondering if anyone has had any suggestions as to how I could get more light from my tank. It has an eclipse 3 canopy and I can get a retrofit for it but for a 150, I can't really afford it at this time of year.

My tank is something like 12x20, I was wondering if anyone had any canopies or ballasts collecting dust that they would like to sell.

Otherwise, perhaps you could recommend my best bet for increasing light in my little 29 gallon reef.

thanks

[rbeleno]

Hi,

I actually did get the retrofit a while back, but got it through the US for around $60US, had it shipped to relatives and they brought it over to me when they came by for a visit... you should still be able to find it for that price in the US. I'm assuming it's the PowerCompact you are referring to and it does make a difference.

Although I recently removed my Eclipse Canopy and made my own hood with some HO T5s and also used the retrofit ballast that was on the Eclipse.

You can actually add another bulb right in the midde section by creating some kind of DIY frame w/ hooks, although I think you'd have to be somewhat handy and careful. Here's a link to one example: http://dscott.home.texas.net/aqua/reflector.html
I did make something similiar to this reflector, but make sure that if you go this route that you have your endcaps waterproof or protected from water splash. My version was not that good of a job, but you definitely can get at least one more lighting system in there. Also, the metal I used rusted very quickly which I learned and removed it after a couple of months.

If you want to try one of these T5s, although they are not High Output version. At least they will add some extra lighting: http://www.mops.ca/cgi-bin/SoftCart.exe/cshop/LICU-01102.html?L+scstore+mhfx5667ff95c295+1102362066
You will have to find a way to attach them to the middle area in some fashion, but if you are handy, that shouldn' be a problem.

Besides adding to the middle area or the retrofit, you are somewhat limited. The only other thing you can probably add on related to lighting would be some LED Moonlights for the night.

Ron

[psiico]

Get a single 20w 24" Perfecto fixture, it will fit right over that gap when the hinged part of the top is removed. I can take a pic if I'm not making sense, I did the same thing at home. I'm at work now so it will have to wait for later.

[obsolete]

i understand what your talking about, does it really add enough light to be worthwhile? would I be able to add any different kinds of creatures?



Get a single 20w 24" Perfecto fixture, it will fit right over that gap when the hinged part of the top is removed. I can take a pic if I'm not making sense, I did the same thing at home. I'm at work now so it will have to wait for later.

[psiico]

Well, the Perfecto fixture goes for about $30 so for so little money I suppose it's worth it, it is to me. It won't let you keep SPS or anenomes or any other light demanding critters but it will make the low light ones happier. I'm keeping a red open brain with no problems under it, but I wouldn't try anything that was said to require more then moderate lighting and even then I'd be careful and prepared for disappointments. Myself, I'm just waiting to upgrade before adding more light loving corals. There's no cheap way to get lots of light, but you can get a bit more for cheap.

[rbeleno]

I was wondering if anyone has had any suggestions as to how I could get more light from my tank. It has an eclipse 3 canopy and I can get a retrofit for it but for a 150, I can't really afford it at this time of year.


Hey Obsolete,

Just noticed the retrofit you are looking at on ReefSolution and the price is the cheapest I've seen so far (in Canadian as well)... maybe you can still get this at "this time of year". Just chat with Stephane if you want to talk to someone or order directly of the website. You can also possibly eventually add the Perfecto that Psiico was mentioning hopefully as an Actinic bulb so that you can also have a Dawn/Dusk effect if they are both on seperate timers.

http://www.reefsolution.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=721&osCsid=2ddf7f80803896d800b7b62190fa77f1

Psiico - don't know if you are planning to upgrade or mod your Eclipse 3 as well, but this is not a bad price for a PC retrofit (that also comes with the bulb)

Ron

[obsolete]

wow that is an excellent price, Pete sells that for about $150. That's exactly what i've been looking for as well.