Will the factory bulbs cut it for the Eclipse system 3?
- Thread starter tweekerz
- Start date
Bright enough for what? The standard package, as I recall, comes with either a fluorescent bulb, around 10-15 watts, or an incandescent, less than 10 watts. Either system would be fine for some of the lower light plants like java, anubias and some crypts, but won't work for higher light plants. Either will be fine for an unplanted tank, where the lighting is mostly for your viewing pleasure.
For higher lighting, there are a few better bulbs available, but to get much more, you really have to upgrade. The ballast will only power up to a specific wattage of bulb, and putting in a higher wattage bulb won't give you more light.
For higher lighting, there are a few better bulbs available, but to get much more, you really have to upgrade. The ballast will only power up to a specific wattage of bulb, and putting in a higher wattage bulb won't give you more light.
Depends. There are different bulb options, but you'll have to check the ballast--if it says it won't power more than 6 watts (more likely it's a bit above that), that will still be the max. Buying a 25 W bulb and putting it in a 10 W ballast won't give you 25 W of light--the ballast won't fire the new bulb to it's full capacity.
for the size of the tank I've found that the light is sufficient for plants if you arn't going for fast growth or high light plants. I have not been able to find another bulb that fits that fixture and have just stuck with the eclipse bulbs. I'm on my second bulb in 4 years that i've had mine. no complaints with my plants growing and the fish I've kept are better suited to a dimmer tank any way.