12 gal. planted Eclipse -- Lighting Issues

[Sara]

hi all.

I recently received an Eclipse 12 gallon tank, it has two bulbs and c02 and nothings really growing -- so I'm thinking I don't have enough light but cannot find anything online regarding what wattage my current lights are and whether or not this is enough, and if it's not how much more should and have and where should I purchase the bulbs .. the product code printed on my current bulbs is T15F8, does this mean anything to anyone? Or is anyone familiar with Eclipse lighting, I have a beautiful 55 gallon planted tank, but these Eclipse tanks are all new to me.

Any info or insight would be much appreciated.

[GulfCoastAquarian]

Your bulbs are 15 watts each. (The 15 in T15F8, the 8 refers to the diameter in 1/8" increments - so this is a 1" tube). With 30 watts on a 12gal, that's not too shabby. How are you supplying CO2? Does the tank have a biowheel filter?

[Sara]

I have one of those yeast, sugar C02 systems and the tank does have a biowheel filter. Thank you for the information you've supplied so far. I suppose another issue could be the substrate, I went with Eco-complete, which I've never used and haven't added any flourish yet. Whatta think?

[GulfCoastAquarian]

Your substrate and lighting are excellent. The Biowheel filter might actually be part of your problem. As it turns, it encourages gaseous exchange with the atmosphere, which is good for the fish in that it helps increase dissolved oxygen levels. But it also causes you to lose much of the CO2 you're injecting. If you could bypass the biowheel and keep the water return from agitating the surface of the water, your CO2 levels would improve and you should see an positive change in plant growth.