am interested in getting a relatively smaller aquarium (10- 15 gal), would the eclipse 12 be a good option? anybody have one set up, if so , how many inhabitants are a good amount? any feedback would be appreciated, thnx a million!
eclipse 12 a good starter?
- Thread starter doubleV
- Start date
BobK
Fishaholic
I don't have one but I like the fact that the filter is built into the hood. The bio-wheels provide excellent biological filtration. You'll have to get a heater, thermometer, and some water test kits but it's a great setup. How much experience do you have in fishkeeping?
fufanu360
Cichlid KING
welcome to the forum 
corykitty516
Fish Crazy
welcome ....
what kind of fish do you like best? If you dont know exactly, is there a "family" that you prefer ... tetras, bettas, catfish. etc.?
I have julii cories and pristellas tetras in a 10gal ... I love them
what kind of fish do you like best? If you dont know exactly, is there a "family" that you prefer ... tetras, bettas, catfish. etc.?
I have julii cories and pristellas tetras in a 10gal ... I love them
yvez9
you don't know JACK FISH
my girlfriend bought that
the fact the filter is built into the hood seemed great at firft, until came time to gravel vac. you need to remove the filter pump completely and the heater bacsue the wires run through the cover and the filter pump basically hangs from the cover.
the mechanical cartridge also has carbon built in it so if you want to add plants, or change the carbon, you need to replace the whole thing.
I had my girlfriend completely remove it, bought some fluval sponges, as they are basically the correct size and some aquclear 300 pouches for mechanical filtration and to hold the sponge in place. the biowheel is nice but can get noisy because this thing pumps a whole lot of water. IMO it is overfiltered, which is good in itself but it produces a very strong current for such a small tank. the heater is awesome though, very high quality
all in all, not a bad tank, but not too good. by far, i prefer the hagen waterhome units. with the eclipse, you'll need to buy a fishnet, a thermotmeter and some food as they give very little food with it. the water conditioner will be just enough to start up your tank, though this is pretty common for packages like this. for almost the same price, you can get a waterhome 20, which is much bigger, easier to maintain and easier to customize. it comes with everything except water conditioner, they give very little. the food they give you will last you months and the filter is very quiet.
We both prefer my waterhome over her eclipse. Don't get me wrong, the eclipse is very good, the filter keeps the water very clear but the fact it's built into the hood just make it very complicated to remove the hood for maintenance and such...
the fact the filter is built into the hood seemed great at firft, until came time to gravel vac. you need to remove the filter pump completely and the heater bacsue the wires run through the cover and the filter pump basically hangs from the cover.
the mechanical cartridge also has carbon built in it so if you want to add plants, or change the carbon, you need to replace the whole thing.
I had my girlfriend completely remove it, bought some fluval sponges, as they are basically the correct size and some aquclear 300 pouches for mechanical filtration and to hold the sponge in place. the biowheel is nice but can get noisy because this thing pumps a whole lot of water. IMO it is overfiltered, which is good in itself but it produces a very strong current for such a small tank. the heater is awesome though, very high quality
all in all, not a bad tank, but not too good. by far, i prefer the hagen waterhome units. with the eclipse, you'll need to buy a fishnet, a thermotmeter and some food as they give very little food with it. the water conditioner will be just enough to start up your tank, though this is pretty common for packages like this. for almost the same price, you can get a waterhome 20, which is much bigger, easier to maintain and easier to customize. it comes with everything except water conditioner, they give very little. the food they give you will last you months and the filter is very quiet.
We both prefer my waterhome over her eclipse. Don't get me wrong, the eclipse is very good, the filter keeps the water very clear but the fact it's built into the hood just make it very complicated to remove the hood for maintenance and such...
BobK
Fishaholic
You can cut the carbon out of the filter cartridge and continue using it for months and months as long as you rinse it in a bucket of aquarium (never tap) water when doing water changes. If you (or anyone) replaced the cartridges as much as the manufacturer (in all types of hang on back filters) it would put you in the poor house. Carbon loses effectiveness after 2-3 weeks. Most tanks do not need carbon anyway. Carbon does have uses such as removing medicines but you don't usually need to have carbon in your tank if you maintain it well.
Another option would be to buy a 10 gallon starter kit from Petsmart or Walmart. I bought one at Walmart as a breeding tank for my Platies. It came with a heater, filter (made by marineland w/o a bio-wheel with the name Regent Aqua-Tech), heater, florescent hood, and samples of food, conditioner and a net for about $50. You can get one even cheaper if you get one with incandescent lights (regular bulbs). The filter was more than adaquate for a 10 gallon but I moved it to my fry tank because I needed another filter in there. Many lfs/lps offer these 10 gallon starter kits and they are great because they have everything you need (almost everything).
I'm biased towards Marineland and their bio-wheels but there are other great systems out there. Just do a little research before you buy and you'll probably get many satisfying years out of it!
Another option would be to buy a 10 gallon starter kit from Petsmart or Walmart. I bought one at Walmart as a breeding tank for my Platies. It came with a heater, filter (made by marineland w/o a bio-wheel with the name Regent Aqua-Tech), heater, florescent hood, and samples of food, conditioner and a net for about $50. You can get one even cheaper if you get one with incandescent lights (regular bulbs). The filter was more than adaquate for a 10 gallon but I moved it to my fry tank because I needed another filter in there. Many lfs/lps offer these 10 gallon starter kits and they are great because they have everything you need (almost everything).
I'm biased towards Marineland and their bio-wheels but there are other great systems out there. Just do a little research before you buy and you'll probably get many satisfying years out of it!
thanks for the feedback, i just picked one up yesterday and am going to fill it up this evening. now all i need to do is learn EVERYTHING!! not really, its been a while since i had a tank and all my experience is with marine fish. but im sure ill get the hang of it in no time again. oh yea, one more thing, to cycle with fish or not?!?!?
BobK
Fishaholic
Give fishless cycling a try.
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