Eclipse System 3 on the way.. tips?

[crankwalk]

Hello everyone. Brand new to this forum, just registered today. In an attempt to give my boy Trevor a better environment, I have opted to move him from his current unfiltered (but heated!) 2.5g to a nice Eclipse 3 with Bio-Wheel and all that good stuff.

His new home should be arriving next week in the mail, and I will commence to fishless cycling for the next couple of weeks until his tank is ready for him.

I have found this forum a great source of information after just browsing for a few hours! So I'd like to ask for some advice:

I have read about possible strong currents in these types of tanks, and since everything seems to be integrated into the hood, it seems some people have devised some creative modifications. I will be doing the "soda bottle" mod to eliminate the return current, but do you all have any advice on the "water suction" current? I don't want him to get stuck if the current is too strong. Since he has lived all of his life in a still environment with no current (from the dinky pet store cup to a .5 gal, to a heated 2.5g) i don't want to shock him with strong currents.

I was going to try to add some live plants or grasses but at this point I may just stick with silk. I really would like to add a tankmate.. I have heard cory cats are great -- I would like to add one cory cat after he has settled in, what do you all think?

Also, if there are any other tips regarding this specific type of tank, any owners of the System 3 with experience or sage advice, it would be appreciated!

Thanks in advance!

 

[Skylar]

Cory cats should be in groups of 3 or more, preferably at least 4-5.

 

[crankwalk]

Okay.. I didn't know that. I don't think I should put 3-4 in only a 3 gal tank. Hmm.. maybe something else...

 

[BettaMomma]

Hi!
Well, I moved my betta to a 5G eclipse and had major problems with the current. He got stressed out, and eventually got really sick and died from the turbulence. But, if done right - you could have a great little setup there.

I would get a piece of filter sponge - you can buy these at the fish stores, cut it so it slides into the intake tube where the slots are, and viola - that will help with suction in, and it will slow the force of the water coming out. You will still need to cut the current as it comes out so it's not too heavy.

But do make sure you keep an eye on him for stress during the first few days. Sometimes it's just too much for them to take.

the silk plants will be great for him.
None of my bettas have ever had a tank mate, except for a snail and he became way too dirty so he got booted. Sooo... you'll have to wait for someone else's advice on that. Good luck with his new setup

 

[crankwalk]

Sorry to hear about your experiences with your boy in the 5G, but thanks for the tips BettaMomma.. yes the stress is exactly what I'm afraid of. The filter sponge in the intake sounds like a great idea! What type of cleaning or replacement schedule of the filter sponge would you request? Would I just pull it out and clean it or replace it with every X water changes, etc?

This sponge mod, coupled with the "soda bottle" mod should really keep the return current down as well.. sounds like a plan. I'll be sure to keep an eye out for stress too. Hopefully he'll be okay in the new tank!

 

[BettaMomma]

the sponge - hmm, i'd just replace it every X water changes, probably.
Shoudl work fine

 

[crankwalk]

Sounds good.. I'll play it by ear on the sponge replacement. And Trevor's new home arrived today! UPS package was waiting for me when I got home.. shipment arrived much quicker than I expected hahaha.. now I can begin the fishless cycling! Thanks all

 

[Haiku]

Hi, I have two bettas in 3g Eclipse tanks, both are cycled now. I made a homemade current blocker for the outflow area and made a thread about it that has since been stickied in the FAQ topics here: http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=84710

In one of the pictures I was still using a 2.5 Mini Bow but I decided to get a second Eclipse. Both fish are doing wonderfully, bubblnesting constantly and no current problems.

 

[crankwalk]

Excellent! That's the FAQ I was reading.. very good mod with the current blocker

Glad to hear the Eclipse 3 is working well! Very reassuring!

Oh quick question.. did you do anything to the intake portion of the current?

 

[Haiku]

Oh quick question.. did you do anything to the intake portion of the current?

Once I got that blocker set up, I took out the filter sponge I had in the intake. It seemed to work out well. So I just have the outflow blocker up and nothing at the intake.

 

[crankwalk]

Ah okay.. I'll give it a shot both ways. Thanks for the advice.

 

[AlexsDaddy]

You could put an african dwarf frog or 2 in with him. Their cute little guys and make pretty good tank mates.