Eclipse Systems...

[lljdma06]

Hi everyone,

I'm bad, very bad. I just found out that I am receiving a tuition waver paying for my final year as a DMA, and now I have much more money than I expected. I opted not to go out and party with friends tonight, which leaves me with money to spend on fish and that will be my reward!

It sucks! Once you get into this hobby, you easily become addicted, though I'm not as bad as some of you guys.

Anyways, you all know where Fassolt and Fafner are being kept. They're doing great by the way. I want to add to my betta family in a subtle way, so that my mom doesn't really notice that I'm sneaking bettas home when I move back to Miami. My family in Miami, by the way, are fine. They have no power, but the water quality hasn't suffered and they have plenty of supplies. They are even doing daily water changes for my goldfish so they don't suffer. They're in a 45-gallon tank, and they're not feeding them at all until the power comes back on.

Sorry for the digression. I wanted to house two more bettas in a smallish tank that would be divided and decorated naturally like the other one, preferably with live plants, and possibly experiment with a sand substrate, but with only two bettas. Again, the tank will be divided.

I was looking over some of the small Eclipse models, especially the 6 gallon and was wondering how easy it would be to divide the tank in half to house two bettas? I also wanted to know any experiences you've had before I invest in a tank like that, or if you've got better ideas. I am clearing space as I write. Yeah, new fishies!

I'm pretty darn sure this material's been covered before, and if you're absolutely sick of answering these type of questions, I'll understand.

Also, is there a thread out there that deals with people's past experiences with aquabid. The new set-up might be home to some of those fancy betta models.

Take care, and again, yeah, more fishies!

 

[OrkyBetta]

I have had NO luck with divided tanks. Lost a few fish from this. Also, have had issues with filters and bettas. But a lot of people have had divided tank success, and eclipse tanks are supposed to be well made. So, its up to you.

 

[Silver1]

I have an eclipse 3, 25 gallon. It has its good points and its bad points. The good points are it would be easy to divide as long as you had some way for the water to pass through, and if you had the water passing through the temperature and water quality would be nicely balanced.

The problem is (to me) the circulation is very strong, and there isn't a way that I can see to turn it down.

 

[Booboo puppy]

I have an eclipse 6 for George. I don't use the filter at all because the current was very strong and I couldn't regulate it. It was eaisest to just turn it off and do weekly water changes. I was going to try it again a couple of weeks ago, but now the wheel doesn't turn so it's unplugged again. I haven't tried to divide it but George uses all of the space just for him, his large cave, and the silk plants. I think it looks really nice and George seems to be very happy with it.

 

[jollysue]

Petco has the eclipse hex 5 on sale for $40 (online too.) I was thinking of trying one for a Betta. It seems like it would look nice. My one reservation is that I understand that betta don't like water movement. I have an eclipse 12. It has lots of water movement and circulation! I have gourami in it and figure it's too much for them.

Anyway, maybe a diverter can be set up to keep the water from moving so fast. I have a very tall artificial foxtail in the 12, and it seems to stop the flow to the other side. A foxtail wouldn't be appropriate for a betta, but maybe some other very large, tall plant or other decoration could be used to divert the water flow?

Just read a discription in the forum faqs section that tells how to use a pop bottle section to divert water currents from filter water emissions.

 

[lljdma06]

Yeah, I know they don't like it, the filter in my 15 is set to the lowest output, so the current is really small. Fassolt likes to build nests near the divider and show Fafner who's boss.

I may just get a really cheap 10-gallon, just the tank and customize the hood and light fixtures. They sell ready made dividers for 10 gallons easy, and the actual tank doesn't take up much space. Then I can buy the filter I want. My 15 looks pretty funny now, with all of its additions, but it's a really good enviroment and the plants are prospering. I think I can divide the 10-gallon into three portions and put three real nice males in there. I have an exact spot where it can go and it would look very nice. I just don't see myself investing near $70 bucks for a 6 gallon, when that amount, or a little more, will by a 10, with all of my specifications.

So I thank you for all your imput, but I consider this thread done! I will start a new one, though. And chronicle the set-up of this tank.

Peace.

 

[nashnut]

I have an eclipse 12 with females in it. The water circulation is extremely strong. They manage to find areas where it's not but every now and then you see one going sideways across the tank it she hits the current. They really don't seem to mind it. I don't think it would be that good for males though because of the heavy fins.

 

[RandomWiktor]

I have 2 Eclipse-corner 5's, and 2 Eclipse Hex 5's.
I found that the hex tanks were much too deep and not long enough to be pleasing to most bettas. I am not fond of the model.
The Eclipse Corner 5 is space efficient and attractive, but you'll want some pantyhose around the filter intake, or your betta will not have fins by the end of the day. I would not reccomend this tank for a fish with exceptionally large finnage, as it may be stressful, but I've put 'average' bettas in there, and they fair just fine.
My only note of caution for ALL eclipse tanks is that they seem to heat up fast when the hood is on. It is convenient in that you do not usually need a heater in them if the house is of a reasonable temperature, but if the building is not climate controlled and gets hot in the summer (my house has no AC and inside is VERY hot), you CAN NOT have the hood on, or your fish will cook and die. It is easy to make hoods for the tanks out of needlepoint plastic, but then you have the issue of an exposed filter, which can gather contaminants from the air.

My advice? Go for something with a whisper power filter instead. The ones for 5 and 10 gallon tanks have a mild, adjustable current. They aren't as pretty as the in-hood filters, but the fish would like them better. You can get a 10 gallon tank for about $8.50, use a small whisper filter, and make a decent split tank with ease for MUCH cheaper than any eclipse tank.

 

[oneponygirl]

I have an Eclipse 3 with one betta and the current is not to strong for him. The current may be different in larger Eclipse tanks.

I also have a ten gallon tank where the current was too much and I cut it with the pop bottle fix, it works great.

At Walmart you can get a ten gallon system for $29.95 and a heater for $15. In my opinion they aren't nearly as nice looking as the Eclipse tanks but you do get more tank for your buck.

 

[lljdma06]

I have an Eclipse 3 with one betta and the current is not to strong for him. The current may be different in larger Eclipse tanks.

I also have a ten gallon tank where the current was too much and I cut it with the pop bottle fix, it works great.

At Walmart you can get a ten gallon system for $29.95 and a heater for $15. In my opinion they aren't nearly as nice looking as the Eclipse tanks but you do get more tank for your buck.

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I agree, I opted not to get an Eclipse, but I appreciate eveybody's advice. I got a 10-gallon, and I divided it up to three sections. If you wanna see what I did, you can look up another thread about me being bad.

 

[riogal_11]

I have an eclipse hex 5, or maybe it's an aquatech hex 5, I'm not totally sure, but they are nearly the same anyways. I just got it about 3 weeks ago, and it houses my orange plakat from wuv. He absolutely loves it. The filter current is practically non existant, so no trouble there. I don't know about dividing it. I just know I couldn't divide mine b/c it is tall.

 

[jollysue]

I'm sorry lljdma06 I am preparing to follow up on some questions, in essence hijack your thread. You did say you were through with it . Well, I will if any one wants to help me out here.

I have ordered the Hex 5. It was $35 + tax, no shipping. I have a 10 usg with hood, etc., that is for quarantine. I also have spare filters and heaters. I have never seen a 10 usg w/hood new that is $8.50. $30-$40 is possible. Providing a hood is a whole new problem.

I got the Hex 5 because I like the look and convienient size. I saw there are ways to divert the water flow w/o much trouble, and RandomWhitkor has offered an idea to reduce the intake if it is a problem. It has good lighting for some plants (15 compact flourescent watts in 5 usg) and adding watts to lighting can be a major pain and expense.

For now I only plan on 1 betta , but if I get addicted I have a Whisper filter for a 20 to 40 usg and a 20 usg with some serpaes in it, which I am not sure what to do with, since I found they are too aggressive for my 100usg community.

If the pretty boy is not happy, there are some other options, and the Hex 5 can be useful for something else. Maybe some dwarf cories would like to ride up and down on a bubble stream. I just figured that 5 tall is better than the vase my son keeps his in or the cup they come in or even a gallon which is common.

If this is really a poor choice for $35, I may be able to cancel the order or return it.

If anyone has suggestions or ideas, please offer.... I am a novice here.

 

[oneponygirl]

That sounds fine to me. Especially if it is a "squat" hex and not a really tall thin one. Bettas like to have surface and not so much to swim up and down.

 

[lljdma06]

I'm sorry lljdma06 I am preparing to follow up on some questions, in essence hijack your thread. You did say you were through with it . Well, I will if any one wants to help me out here.

I have ordered the Hex 5. It was $35 + tax, no shipping. I have a 10 usg with hood, etc., that is for quarantine. I also have spare filters and heaters. I have never seen a 10 usg w/hood new that is $8.50. $30-$40 is possible. Providing a hood is a whole new problem.

I got the Hex 5 because I like the look and convienient size. I saw there are ways to divert the water flow w/o much trouble, and RandomWhitkor has offered an idea to reduce the intake if it is a problem. It has good lighting for some plants (15 compact flourescent watts in 5 usg) and adding watts to lighting can be a major pain and expense.

For now I only plan on 1 betta , but if I get addicted I have a Whisper filter for a 20 to 40 usg and a 20 usg with some serpaes in it, which I am not sure what to do with, since I found they are too aggressive for my 100usg community.

If the pretty boy is not happy, there are some other options, and the Hex 5 can be useful for something else. Maybe some dwarf cories would like to ride up and down on a bubble stream. I just figured that 5 tall is better than the vase my son keeps his in or the cup they come in or even a gallon which is common.

If this is really a poor choice for $35, I may be able to cancel the order or return it.

If anyone has suggestions or ideas, please offer.... I am a novice here.

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No problem, the thread is yours. I consider my self hijacked.

 

[jollysue]

Thanks lljdma and oneponey,

I'm still debating the tank. It is easily returned if I find a better option.

Any other suggestions. What about the type betta? Suggestions?