Upgrading Eclipse 3 Hood

[Mr Fish]

I was thinking of upgrading my 10 gallon to either a 29 or a 20L. Right now my 10 gallon has an Eclipse 1 TL hood which I like.

If I got the 20L or 29 I'd use the Eclipse 3 hood found here:
http://www.aquariumguys.com/ec3ho12x30.html

I believe that unit has a pretty miserable wattage with 2 T8 lights at 18w/ea.

Has anyone used the upgrade kits like this one:
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...188x003&ctt=60

My question is this: the Eclipse 3 has two lights. This kit upgrades to "65w" is that just one light it replaces? Could you replace both and get 130 watts? Or is it upgrading to 65w for the whoe shebang?

I'd love to get ~5w/gallon if I made this switch and adding some more colorful plants.

Anyone ever do this or hear of someone doing something like this?

[Damon]

5wpg? Are you sure this won't be a saltwater tank? You only need 2-3 wpg to grow 95% of the plants available. That upgrade doesn't include the proper bulb so you will shell out ~$25.00 more for that.

You're looking at $90.00 for the eclipse hood
Another $25.00 for the proper bulb

You could go this route

http://www.bigalsonline.com/catalog/...d1=1843;pcid2=
$58.00
~$25.00 for a glass canopy
http://www.bigalsonline.com/catalog/...d1=2885;pcid2=
$53.00

While about 21 dollars more, its much better suited for planted tanks and you can use the parts later if you go with a larger tank in the future.

[Mr Fish]

3wpg - good enough even for a banana plant? Just added laterite into my sand substrate for the couple of rooted plants I have. Not sure I want a Fluval 202 for a 20 or 29 gallon.. got the 404 at home (for my 125 gallon).. why is what you suggested superior for a planted aquarium?

[Damon]

I grew banana plants with under 2wpg. The more intense the light, the lower they will grow. Keep pruning the leaves and they will stay low.

Planted tanks do not rely on the filter for biological filtration. THe plants and bacteria that grow on them takes care of that. Canisters don't agitate the surface as dramatically as a trickle filter (HOB). This means less co2 displacement. CO2 is crucial for plant growth. You don't want to be adding co2 then outgassing it by too much surface agitation. You want water movent under the water and a bit on top to keep it from becoming stagnant and developing film. I suggested the fluval because its a good filter. For a few dollars more you could go with an eheim. Rena and via aqua are also excellent. I was trying to stay as close to your "budget" as possible. I ran a 204 on a 20 high and it was great. I run a Rena xp3 on my 75 and love it.

[Mr Fish]

Hrm, I was hoping for a lilly like plant to grow to the top. Thought maybe one of my ADF might enjoy getting out of the water and croacking a bit on one. I know this belongs in the planted section: But do you know a plant that would grow 10" with a lilly top like the banana plant?

[Damon]

There are a cpl, though I'm not sure they will be strong enough to hold the frog. You have tiger lotus & banana plant. The lotus will put out bigger leaves but whether they will be strong enough, I can't say.