Does anyone have the Marineland Eclipse System Three?

finsNfur

finsNfur

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May 29, 2008
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I'm looking to get another Betta, and I was never happy with the 2.5 gallon set-up from Walmart. Now I'm looking at this one:

http://www.amazon.com/Marineland-Eclipse-Seamless-Integrated-Aquarium/dp/B0002Z7VRS

Any thoughts on this one? Or maybe a better one? I'm wondering how easy it would be to add a heater to this one, since apparently the top is all one piece. I just want to be sure there is a hole big enough in the top for a heater.
 
I have a Marineland Eclipse System 3 in my office which houses my betta, Travis. It's great. There is enough room for a heater. In fact, because my office has no heat in the winter, I have a an 8-gallon tank heater in it just so Travis will stay toasty even when the temp in my office is in the 50's. The biggest draw back to the Eclipse 3, imo, is that it hard to clean because it's so small. There is an immovable cross bar on top that really gets in the way. I've had the tank long enough that I'm used to it and finally have a system down for cleaning. My tank is quiet and it certainly doesn't take up much space; however, it I were to do it again, I think I'd go with the Eclipse 5 (and for Travis, I'd buy the Eclipse 5 Hex). BTW, I also have the Eclipse System 12 in my office and love it as well. Neither aquarium set-up is high tech, which is just fine with me. I have no problems growing basic aquarium plants, such as java fern, java moss, anubias, and crypt wendtii. So if you want a basic all-in-one set up (except for heater and thermometer), I can highly recommend the Eclipse series from Marineland.
 
I have one too and I would say the same thing. The pros are it's quiet, all in one and reliable. The only down side is cleaning algae off the glass isn't easy and filling water is a pain with the lid you pretty much have to take it off. But the bulb is enough to grow low light plants and the filter is good. There is enough room in the top to feed without opening. The Lid is annoying but not a deal breaker. There is a small cutout in the back to fit all the cords and I also have a heater in there.
 
I don't own one but from what I have read about it the filtration is very good.
 
Thanks for the info! I did buy the most gorgeous Delta male betta today, and put him in my old 2.5 gallon tank. I bought a "Sea reef nano" filter, but it was defective; it leaked horribly at one spot at the seal. And I was careful to turn the electric base round and round, it was the seal, not me. So I'll have to return that filter. In the meantime I'm using the Whisper filter that came with 2.5 gallon tank. For a year or more I used the same tank and filter for my previous betta, who I eventually put in a 10g tank. I don't like the 2.5 tank, but maybe it will do for now. I might go for the Eclipse 3 soon. I think the new Betta is ecstatic to be out of his tiny, dirty little bowl....

I can't wait to post pics of this guy, he is SO handsome! Perfect! As well he should be, he was $14.99. I just about died when hearing this. Who pays such an amount?! I thought he was the basic price, 3.99 or so, but at check-out they told me was a "Delta" which is more. Oh well, he was worth it, so I went ahead with the purchase. I do like that LFS, most of their fish are healthy. I am thrilled that my new betta is settling in, and eating, too. Of course he's ravenous, and thin----darn those little dirty bowls....I doubt LFS's really keep track of how often they feel their bettas, but I won't go into that rant....
 
I have an eclipse 3 and 6 and that little 2.5 you speak of. I like the eclipses far more then the little 2.5 by far! I love it! It's all in 1 and is great. I'd have to agree about maintenance and that stupid cross bar but you get used to it.
 
finsNfur said:
I think the new Betta is ecstatic to be out of his tiny, dirty little bowl....I am thrilled that my new betta is settling in, and eating, too. Of course he's ravenous, and thin----darn those little dirty bowls....I doubt LFS's really keep track of how often they feel their bettas, but I won't go into that rant....
Click to expand...

I'm very happy for you and your new fish! Those lil bowls really are nasty aren't they? I've had my betta for 2 weeks and he has about 3-4 mm of new fin growth already so I am SURE yours is thrilled with the clean water. Post pics soon!
 
Im a noobie, and I got the impression marinelands filter kits were too strong for the betta, except for the Whisper 3i .... I would have gone simple walmart sounds like the system plastic base 2.5 bowfront ... For me the plastic base cracking, was a deal breaker, when I read reviews..if this is the same system.. Walmart sells the Aquaview 360 which has no plastic crackable-ness...;)

As for me, well, I got a whisper 2-5 filter pack in a flat hex 5gal and the new betta didn't do well with the filter. Spent a full 24 hours laying gravel low, with heavy gill 'panting'... the water was 50% tap 25% RO 25% filtered/bottled... he did better with the tap/ RO and I filled it hafways...any other ideas? for the new water add I have to do this weekend?
 
Firey rosetail said:
Im a noobie, and I got the impression marinelands filter kits were too strong for the betta, except for the Whisper 3i .... I would have gone simple walmart sounds like the system plastic base 2.5 bowfront ... For me the plastic base cracking, was a deal breaker, when I read reviews..if this is the same system.. Walmart sells the Aquaview 360 which has no plastic crackable-ness...;)

As for me, well, I got a whisper 2-5 filter pack in a flat hex 5gal and the new betta didn't do well with the filter. Spent a full 24 hours laying gravel low, with heavy gill 'panting'... the water was 50% tap 25% RO 25% filtered/bottled... he did better with the tap/ RO and I filled it hafways...any other ideas? for the new water add I have to do this weekend?
Click to expand...

While the current from a filter might not be a Bettas favorite thing they will do fine as long as you provide them with spots where they can get out of the current, my Betta even plays in the current of one of the filters on his tank (there are 3 filters on the tank, one is my main filter, another is sucking water through a sponge filter and passing it through a bunch of java moss then returning it to the tank).

Firey rosetail,

When you added the tap water did you use water conditioner?

When you added did you acclimate the betta to not only the temperature but also to the water chemistry?

Is there a heater on the tank?
 
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