Desk Tank

[modernhamlet]

I'd like to have a small tank for my desk at work. I'm not certain on the fish inhabitants yet, but it will probably house 3 or 4 dwarf otos or corys... and perhaps a betta. For several reasons, I don't want to build a tank from scratch. So I'm looking for something with a built in filter and light hood. The tricky part is that I would like to plant it pretty heavily, so decent lighting (2 watts/gallon) is essential. The hood needs to support compact fluorescent lighting, if not include it.

I hear that Azoo and Nano-Cubes are really nice, but they're a bit pricey for what I want to do.

Could anyone share their experience aquascaping the Eclipse System 6 or Eclipse Hex 5 tank? Are there other affordable options given my limitations.

Any advice toward this end would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Doggfather]

i don't know if you have them in the US, but here in australia you can get these "Jebo" tank which include 2 ligts, filter etc...

 

[pufferdude]

i don't know if you have them in the US, but here in australia you can get these "Jebo" tank which include 2 ligts, filter etc...

I was going to suggest the same thing. They come with powere compact lighting so they are great for plaints. I have a hex 5, you can get a 15 watt light for that and it will give you 3 watts per gallon wich would be excelent for plainting. I think I like the jebos better though.

 

[Olive]

I have an eclipse 3 and it is planted heavily. I have a betta, two glolights and two small glass cats in it that I will move later if they get too big. Right now though, they seem to be doing great and very happy in there, so I will keep them in there as long as they seem happy. The plants seem to be doing great. I would, though, get a 6 if you can, the hoods are better designed. Mine doesn't have a hinged back, while the bigger ones do. The light in the tank seems to be fine, so I would just suggest changing it every 6-9 months as they wear out after that even if they are still emitting light. Hope this helps........................

 

[modernhamlet]

Does anyone has a link to more info about Jebo tanks? I wasn't able to find much. The manufacturer's website has lovely picks, but I couldn't find decent specs on the things.

Does anyone know if there's even a US distributor?

They look cool. Hopefully just not $100 cool.

 

[guppygirly]

I have a mini-bow on my desk and it's great. I had to replace the bulb cuz mine's only a 2.5 gallon, but they also make a 5 gallon and a 7 gallon that already have flourescents and wisper mini filters. I also replaced my filter with an Azoo plam filter cuz it looks and, IMO, works better. The 7's are kinda hard to find and run about $70 or so, but the 5's are only 34.99 at Walmart here.

 

[susangc]

Check out my signature -- my teeny tank's at work on my desk. The betta's an active swimmer all over the tank. Every morning, I play "Where's Mitty?" Today, I spied him nestled in a sword leaf (He's more active in the afternoon.)

The live plants help me keep the nitrates under control. I do one small water change weekly (about 2 quarts of the slightly less than 3 gallons).

I feed the fish Monday through Friday; they hang tight just fine over the weekend. The betta eats pellets and dried food. The oto eats algae tabs during the week and cleans the tank over the weekend I feed the plants with Flourish every other water change.

The Eclipse tank has a built-in fluorescent light, chem/mech filter and bio wheel. It retails in PetSmart for about $53, but I bought mine at petsmart.com for about $40 (including shipping).

Edit: I'm in a cubicle, and this sucker is absolutely quiet.

Susan

 

[Olive]

Check out my signature -- my teeny tank's at work on my desk. The betta's an active swimmer all over the tank. Every morning, I play "Where's Mitty?" Today, I spied him nestled in a sword leaf (He's more active in the afternoon.)

The live plants help me keep the nitrates under control. I do one small water change weekly (about 2 quarts of the slightly less than 3 gallons).

I feed the fish Monday through Friday; they hang tight just fine over the weekend. The betta eats pellets and dried food. The oto eats algae tabs during the week and cleans the tank over the weekend I feed the plants with Flourish every other water change.

The Eclipse tank has a built-in fluorescent light, chem/mech filter and bio wheel. It retails in PetSmart for about $53, but I bought mine at petsmart.com for about $40 (including shipping).

Edit: I'm in a cubicle, and this sucker is absolutely quiet.

Susan

Sounds like we have the same one ..........yes, they make absolutely no noise what-so-ever.

 

[echopkb]

I have an Aqua-tech 5 gallon bowfront. The box also says Regent on it. It has a wonderfully efficient built-in filter, though it makes very minimal trickling noise, fluorescent light, and an access door in the hood. The hood can be completely removed. There is also space under the hood for a small heater placed in the back. Purchased it at Walmart. Keep adult guppies in it. I love this tank.

My second tank is an Eclipse corner 5 gallon. Manufactured by Marineland. Same type of filter, absolutely quiet. The light that was included was an incandescent, and did not light up the back of the tank with stuff in it. I got a screw-in fluorescent bulb and lighting is much better. Also, the hood is permanently hinged in the back and you have to lift the whole hood for access. Wonderful tank to fit in a corner. The only place a heater would fit under the hood was up in the front corner - a conspicuous place. Purchased at Petsmart. Keep guppy fry in it.

 

[Olive]

I have an Aqua-tech 5 gallon bowfront. The box also says Regent on it. It has a wonderfully efficient built-in filter, though it makes very minimal trickling noise, fluorescent light, and an access door in the hood. The hood can be completely removed. There is also space under the hood for a small heater placed in the back. Purchased it at Walmart. Keep adult guppies in it. I love this tank.

My second tank is an Eclipse corner 5 gallon. Manufactured by Marineland. Same type of filter, absolutely quiet. The light that was included was an incandescent, and did not light up the back of the tank with stuff in it. I got a screw-in fluorescent bulb and lighting is much better. Also, the hood is permanently hinged in the back and you have to lift the whole hood for access. Wonderful tank to fit in a corner. The only place a heater would fit under the hood was up in the front corner - a conspicuous place. Purchased at Petsmart. Keep guppy fry in it.

I have the second tank you are talking about as well. We purchased a better light for it too, and love it. It is a great tank, no noise what-so-ever. Great tank. It is at my husband's work.........a cubicle........

 

[pufferdude]

Does anyone has a link to more info about Jebo tanks? I wasn't able to find much. The manufacturer's website has lovely picks, but I couldn't find decent specs on the things.

Does anyone know if there's even a US distributor?

They look cool. Hopefully just not $100 cool.

I dont know jread has one. He bought it in a lfs in Texas. I think he spent like $50 on it but I am not sure. I will ask him and get back to you. Are maybe he will see the thread and help you.

 

[Nina7777]

I have a 2 gallon at work. Its made by aquatic gardens. It has a flourescent light and filter. I planted it and have one betta in it.

Everyone at my work loves it. But it may be a little small for the fish you want.

 

[modernhamlet]

As much as the Nano-cube is too cool, it would really be wasted on me. I"m not going to be doing CO2 at work, so that much light is overkill.

I do wish I could track down one of those Jebo tanks, but given what's locally available, I'll probably end up with the 6g Eclipse. That should be enough light to grow a nice little aquascape, and enough space to house 3 otos and a betta.