new lid for old tank

[thumper]

my dad gave me his old 30 gallon aquarium, but nothing else. I'm looking at the Eclipse 3, it'll fit, but I was wondering if it's worth the $100?

[Grassguy]

$100 for an Eclipse three...I only paid $67 for my son's Eclipse six!! Why would you want a three gallon when you have a thirty?

[thumper]

it's just the lid.. the old one must have broke when we moved, that's why my dad gave it to me. (i'm assuming its a 30- gallon, its 30*12*15)
http://www.petsmart.com/fish/shopping/lighting/products/product%5F794.shtml

[tomm10]

Personally I wouldn't go in for an all in one system like that. It locks you in to that filter and light setup.

A quick look at Petsmart site finds flourescent hoods for about $30 for a 30 gallon. If you're handy you could also look at some DIY approachs to making your own hood. Check with your LFS. I know the ones around me sometimes have used hoods for sale. Even their new ones should be reasonable.

You can still look into the Bio Wheel filter system of the hang on back variety. The Emperor 280 should be fine for a 30 gallon (for most fish) and thats about another $40.

That's only $70 instead of $100 and it gives you the flexibilty to change lighting and filtration down the road.

[thumper]

"Personally I wouldn't go in for an all in one system like that. It locks you in to that filter and light setup."

That's the reason why I wanted it, because it was all in one, and I figured it would be easier to install and set up and stuff. My dad had one of those aquaclear hagen $20 type of deals, but it sounded like fingernails on a chalkboard and it leaked. which was another reason why I wanted the eclipse, if it ever leaked, it would drip back into the tank. but I see your point.

I think DIY could be fun, what material should I use? (and where can I get it?)
Petsmart and jacks pets www.jackspets.com are the only petstors nearby, and jaks pets doesn't have an online browser, though that's probably where I'll get it;)

http://www.petsmart.com/fish/shopping/lighting/products/product%5F855.shtml I wonder if Jack's has this in (30in)black?

[tomm10]

I understand the worry about having noisy/leaky filters but there's no reason you should have to deal with that.

A good HOB filter like the Emperor (made by the same folks that make the Eclipse hood by the way) shouldn't leak or make much noise. The only noise that comes from my Penguin is the noise of the water itself. Hagen makes a brand called Aqua Clear that is also very good for the money. I'm partial to the Bio Wheel because I like the idea that the biological filtration is on the wheel instead of some other filter media that I would want to clean/change at some point (thereby jeopardizing my bacteria colony) but its really a personal preference.

Realistically speaking, you probably can't build a hood for your tank cheaper than you can buy one. If you want to check it out though, just do a search here for DIY hoods. You'll find a bunch of threads talking about it in the DIY forum.

[thumper]

it was the aqua clear that leaked and made the horrible noise, but mabe that's because it was older than I was, but I still like the eclipse the most. that and a heater and I should be all set, right.

I dont like setting it up and dealing with more equipment, i just wanted something that filtered the water without making gross amounts of noises, looking hideous, or leaking all over the carpet, i also wasn't planning on using a background, which is why i didn't want something hanging out the back.

[tomm10]

I'm sure age is a factor in your dad's AC making the noise. New stuff is nearly silent.

You are correct. You will need a filter, lights (really this is just for you to see the fish unless you plan on having live plants), and a heater.

I don't have a background in my tank either and I don't notice my hob filter. Since the tank is against a wall it leaves the back of the tank in shadow. A simple piece of black construction paper on the back of the tank works great as a cheap background too.

In the end of course, its your $$ ;) I just think I'd rather spend $70 on a separate hood and filter and save the $30 for fish or gravel or a heater or swedish fish :D

[Wazzucycler]

Originally posted by tomm10
I just think I'd rather spend $70 on a separate hood and filter and save the $30 for fish or gravel or a heater or swedish fish :D

Mmmmmmmmm $30 dollars of sweedish fish....

Im running a couple HOB aquatechs on my tanks and they are dead silent, dont leak, and dirt cheap at walmart.

[thumper]

ok thnkx
another aquaclear may be in order...