Originally I asked the parentals for a 6 gallon Eclipse system for the day of much gift giving, but I am already thinking of how limited my options would be with it. I do not think I should ask for something that I would be unsatisfied with before even opening it. 
Now I am considering a standard 10 gallon with an Eclipse hood. However, as I am so fond of mentioning, I am a college student, and I would have to tote the tank home for summer and winter breaks. I would prefer to have an acrylic tank because plastic is lighter than glass, and it would also stand up better to possible hard-braking and cornering in my car because plastic is stronger per sq. inch.
However, I do not know where to look or how much to budget for an acrylic 10 gallon. The local Wal-Mart only has glass, and I do not think Petsmart or the LFS carry them either. I would prefer not to buy online because of shipping charges.
There is a 12 gallon Eclipse for about $90, but it is slightly bigger than I want (yet has a smaller footprint than I want), and is rather expensive for the parental units' taste. If worse comes to worse, I have an old glass 10 gallon previously used for Scooter the demonic gerbil.
Now I am considering a standard 10 gallon with an Eclipse hood. However, as I am so fond of mentioning, I am a college student, and I would have to tote the tank home for summer and winter breaks. I would prefer to have an acrylic tank because plastic is lighter than glass, and it would also stand up better to possible hard-braking and cornering in my car because plastic is stronger per sq. inch.
However, I do not know where to look or how much to budget for an acrylic 10 gallon. The local Wal-Mart only has glass, and I do not think Petsmart or the LFS carry them either. I would prefer not to buy online because of shipping charges.
There is a 12 gallon Eclipse for about $90, but it is slightly bigger than I want (yet has a smaller footprint than I want), and is rather expensive for the parental units' taste. If worse comes to worse, I have an old glass 10 gallon previously used for Scooter the demonic gerbil.
