Questions on Eclipse system 3

I have an Eclipse III (29/30G) Tank and LOVE it!

The water is clean and frankly you would be hard pressed to find a better starter tank out there!

Now...As for plants, this tank is limited IMO. The lighting system sucks and upgrading it can get expessive quick. I'm not sure on the bulbs, but the ballast itself is a low 40W system I'n not 100% versed on the larger G models, so this may be slightly different.

Not a good plant tank. My 30G sig is my Eclipse III stock if curious.

As for

That means some kind of CO2 as gouramis are mostly air-breathers

Click to expand...

I'm not sure where this is coming from? It is true that gouramis can gulp extra O2 from the surface, but this is purely a suplemental thing and not sustaining for the fish (like a Betta, but Bettas are more efficeint at this).

Ok, I found a link to the Eclipse System 3 hood.
http://www.petco.com/product/11539/SeaClear-Eclipse-3-Compatible-Aquariums.aspx

As Ct-death mentioned, it fits on a 29 or a 20 long (30x12). I'd be concerned about this because something isn't right with that Craigslist ad. My 45 gallon is 36x12x24... it's a pretty big tank, much larger than what the Eclipse 3 would fit. Even if the Eclipse hood DID fit a 45 gallon, I would think that the filtration would be kind of underpowered. But I did spend some time working in a LFS, and I sold many tanks... and I never saw a 45 gallon that would fit that footprint.

Also, Ct-death pointed out that the lighting is inadequate for most plants. You can buy Eclipse PC retrofit kits from either Hellolights or AHsupply, but again that can get pricey.

Before you decide on anything, I think you need to email this person and ask for the exact dimensions of the tank, and the dimensions of the Eclipse hood. Then post them here and we can help you figure out how big the tank really is. If it's just a 29, there's no way I would trade a laptop for it.

The Eclipse III is a "kit". It comes with an Acrylic Tank (in my case 30G tall), and the hood, which has the lighting and the build in filter/bio-wheel).

I paid $119 for mine on sale from LFS - I forget what the actual price was retail, but it was around $200-225 or so. NOT a laptop!!!

I'll give you mine WITH fish for your Laptop!!!

Well not always, you can buy the hood separately and it fits on a 30x12 tank.

Given that the hood alone is around $100, you got a KILLER deal from your LFS, ct.

I know :dance:

I've known him for a LONG time and he is one of the "good guys" in retail aquarium store industry...

As for the value of this tank (and lets assume it is as advertised and the hood fits) I would place this at about $200-250 or even a bit less compaired to ADs in my area.

I'd place it at less. I'm selling a 55 with an Emperor 400 and a stand (no lights) for $120.

Pretty far from you I think. I'm in KY. There's a link to my classifieds thread in my sig if you wanna check it out.