Just started a Aqua-Tech 5 (Which is really an Eclipse System 6 with one fewer gallon and about $40 cheaper at Wal-Mart than Petco. Exactly the same, just a bit shorter tank... anyway...) with a co-worker's betta from a fishbowl.
He had gone through 2 other fish cycling the fish bowl. It had no filtration and irregular water changes. I told him about this inexpensive "Eclipse" and he agreed to go halfsies with me on the new tank. (I hated seeing this poor little guy in this algae bloomed bowl.) So I set up the tank, transferred the gravel, decorations and fish with the essential bacteria, and now the bio-wheel has taken over and the results are as follows...
Ammonia = 0ppm
Nitrites = 0ppm
Nitrates = ~7ppm
Not too bad for my first tank in 15 years, all thanks to research here on AC.
The betta almost immediately was far more active and his color has gotten better every day since the tank was established.
So now my co-worker feeds him to my specifications and he can enjoy the fish, while I get to feed my fish habit at work and maintain the tank.
Not too bad a deal...