View Full Version : eclipe systems?
sumoschro
10-11-2003, 11:59 PM
Does anyone here have the eclipse system ?(glass, not acrylic) i was thinking about getting one and i wanted some input first. good luck? bad luck? i know marineland has a good reputation, but iev got no experience with the bio wheel or anything like that. thanks!
MonoSebaelover
10-12-2003, 9:03 AM
I have only the acrylic Eclipse's (2 6 gallons and 3 gallon) and they work amazingly well. I have always sworn by Marineland and find the bio-wheels to be the best of any filter. I would defenitely go for it. Good luck with whatever you decide.
sumoschro
10-12-2003, 11:38 AM
i guess acrylic and glass sont matter when it comes down to the filters and the hood. thanks for the input, i think i might just go buy one.
stik6shift98
10-12-2003, 2:04 PM
i have never had an eclipse tank myself but my buddy has one and i like it.....it looks very profesionally and clean since everything is in the hood...the only bad thing about it is the price...
I have two of the Eclipse 1 for a couple of 10 gallon tanks. I have the ones that have the twin 15 watt lights. I bought them to keep my cats from getting into the tanks. I have a paid of Gold Rams in one and a pair of Blue Rams in the other. I've had one for about a year and the other for about 8 months and they work fine.
They good. They make a neat appearance and since there is nothing hanging out of the back you can keep the close to the wall. They provide adequate filtration, mechanical as well as biological. They are easy to clean and maintain. The motors seem to run well and I've never had them fail to come back on after a power outage.
The bad. The lights are in the front so, for planted tanks, they are a bit of a pain since you have to have your light loving plants at the front and all of the plants tend to lean towards the front.
The mechanical filter tray works okay but tends to clog up quickly, in a planted tank anyway. It is easy to take the filter tray out rinse it out. You can easily cut 3 of the sides of the filter tray so that you can replace the carbon or put in other material such as peat and this also makes it easier rinse the floss out. The biowheel will tend to slow down over time but it is easy to take it out and use an old toothbrush to cleans the axles and the sockets where the axles rest.
While not a bad product I can't say that would buy them again unless I need the closed off setup or had it in a setting where the neatness was important.
Alex
stik6shift98
10-13-2003, 3:13 AM
Originally posted by Alex
I have two of the Eclipse 1 for a couple of 10 gallon tanks. I have the ones that have the twin 15 watt lights. I bought them to keep my cats from getting into the tanks. I have a paid of Gold Rams in one and a pair of Blue Rams in the other. I've had one for about a year and the other for about 8 months and they work fine.
They good. They make a neat appearance and since there is nothing hanging out of the back you can keep the close to the wall. They provide adequate filtration, mechanical as well as biological. They are easy to clean and maintain. The motors seem to run well and I've never had them fail to come back on after a power outage.
The bad. The lights are in the front so, for planted tanks, they are a bit of a pain since you have to have your light loving plants at the front and all of the plants tend to lean towards the front.
The mechanical filter tray works okay but tends to clog up quickly, in a planted tank anyway. It is easy to take the filter tray out rinse it out. You can easily cut 3 of the sides of the filter tray so that you can replace the carbon or put in other material such as peat and this also makes it easier rinse the floss out. The biowheel will tend to slow down over time but it is easy to take it out and use an old toothbrush to cleans the axles and the sockets where the axles rest.
While not a bad product I can't say that would buy them again unless I need the closed off setup or had it in a setting where the neatness was important.
Alex
so u would recommend it???
SnakeIce
10-13-2003, 10:05 AM
I would recomend them to most aquarists, they are wonderful for dealing with any fish you might want to keep... I even made the over stocking mistake and it took up the slack...
however if plants are your pride and joy they have their draw backs, except for the twin tube one in the ten gallon size they only provide low light at best and like was said befor the lights are at the front of the tank, which is wonderful for fish, makes your plants all lean forward
my next tank will be a diy hood because of my desires for plants but the eclipse systems are wonderful for what they are
lesley
10-13-2003, 10:58 AM
My experience is about the same as the others. I have an eclipse 3 on a 29 gallon planted tank. Does an adequate job on filtration. Cleaning is generally problem-free.
On the bad side, I have had periodic problems with vibration which drives me nuts. Also, when the filter pad gets dirty, water tends to overflow back towards the powerhead-thing and drips (sometimes streams) into the tank causing some agitation. Also, for plants, there is the light issue.
Otherwise, for a fish only tank, I think it's a decent deal for your money.
Dapple2
10-13-2003, 11:34 AM
I've had every Eclipse system except the 5g now. The only one I have serious issues with is the lil 2g Eclipse Explorer since it has no light at all and there isn't a good way of lighting it via desk lamp either. I've had the regular systems (the 1, 2, and 3) mostly because I got really good deals on them. The filtration is adequate for most applications and there is enough lighting for at least low-light plants with the twin-tube models (never tried the single). If you decide to later on, you can even retro-fit the lighting to make it more plant friendly. Having the tray right there in your face is kinda nice too. You can even cut a piece of thick pond poly-fiber media to fit so you don't have to spend so much money on cartridge replacements and they are easier to rinse off.
Those smaller acrylic tanks btw are great for people who move a lot. They are soooo much easier to deal with than glass tanks...
Unless you have a need for a neat setup or a completely closed top I would not recommend it. You can have the same setup for much cheaper with a hang on back filter and standard canopy with strip light.
Alex
Fishskin
10-13-2003, 1:25 PM
The answers can only be helpful in the sense of what you are looking for. I have an eclipse 3, 6, 12 and have been happy with them because they are neat looking, go together easily. I hate the acrylic becuase it scratches ( but you want glass anyway..good choice ). For the "average" aquarist they are quite good. But if you are a more "serious" aquarist with heavier filtration or lighting demands, then I believe you would be better off with individual components and a better filter. At present I also have an All-glass 29g setup with a filstar fx2 filter which I love. To me the analogy is fast food versus a home cooked meal...both are the "best" depending on your needs and desires. That said, I do not think you will go wrong with Marineland products...but as many people have problems with the biowheels as love them. I prefer my cannister filter.
superjohnny
10-13-2003, 3:25 PM
I have an Eclipse System 6 retro-fitted with an ah-supply 13w power compact flourescent light. I like it very much. I added two dwarf loaches last night to compliment the 3 endlers live-bearers.
It's planted with anubias coffefolia & nana, java fern, java moss, crypt wendtii & dwarf sag in the foreground.
I've seen them retro-fitted with dual 13w lights as well. This is great for a saltwater nano.
Here's mine...
http://www.johnnyanddana.com/images/Tank/16sept03_mini.JPG
tricksterpup
10-13-2003, 3:49 PM
Well,
I must say, i love my eclipse hood. If you have a new one and experience problems Marine land will replace parts for you for free with no questions asked. I had problems with my dual hood for my eclipse 1 and sent me an entire new light section for free. At the same time they were upgrading their pump and sent a new one to me since i still had the old one.
The hood does has its down falls but as for how marine land handles things, i give them a big bonus.
I have a couple of knock offs, the regent/galaxy 5 and the starfish. Both nice little tanks and swear by them both for small fish. But, as for lighting goes, i must give the All glass mini bows a thumbs up also, because I can use screw in pc bulbs.
jim