Has anyone noticed the difference in the Eclipse tanks?

Hello fishy folks.

I have noticed a change in the acrylic and hoods of the Eclipse system
tanks (not the hoods that fit onto a glass tank, but the entire
system).

According to Marineland, they haven't changed a thing. I have 3 older
version, all made 2004 or before.
The newer, cheaper version of acrylic I have seen were made in 2008.
The tanks appear to now be a harder, more easily scratched type of
acrylic, able to be scratched up with a soft terry towel, which the
same towel does not scratch up the older models.
The top now does not have a clip to hold the light fixture's cord up,
as to keep it out of the water.
The newer ones also have a new box design.
I'm wondering of others who have older Eclipse have seen the same as I
have.
If you know the difference between a good acrylic and a poor one, I
urge you to go check this out at a pet shop.
The better acrylic feels softer, and when you tap lightly with the
backside of a finger nail will make a "heavier" thud, where as the
harder type will not have that "soft" feeling and will make a higher
pitched "tang" noise - instead of a thud. I hope that makes sense.
I had an older and a new one on my kitchen table. Quite obvious that
there was a difference in the type of acrylic used.
The customer service guy for Marineland said there were no changes. I
told him I have 2 in front of me and they are as different as night
and day.
He still said there are no differences.
I don't know of that means the company who they are having make the
tanks is using substandard plastic and not telling Marineland. If that
was the case, the more folks who see this difference and call them
them saying so, the better.
I was able to find an older Eclipse 6 gallon (made in 04) at a Petco.
It's the better acrylic.
I returned the newer version back to Petsmart.
I've had cheaper plastic 1 gallon tanks for growing out male betta
fry. You can't even use an acrylic algae pad on these, as it put fine
scratches in it - giving a haze to it so badly that it needs
replacing.
You can't use soft cloth-like paper towels for algae either, as it
does the same thing.
There's nothing you can use that won't scratch these newer models.
These tanks cost too darned much for them to be using a lessor quality
acrylic.

"Tynk" wrote in message
...
Hello fishy folks.

I have noticed a change in the acrylic and hoods of the Eclipse system
tanks (not the hoods that fit onto a glass tank, but the entire
system).


I never had one of those tanks. All I have set up right now are the two 55s
with tropical's. I sold all the tanks behind the house and am getting rid of
all the outdoor fish. I may also get rid of the tanks now that my husband
is retired. We're not at home as much and they need more care than I
sometimes have time for.
--
RM....
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"TYNK the tranny" wrote in message
...

If you were really into fish keeping you would have had all glass
tanks and not the regular run of the mill aimed at idiot consumer
plastic crap like the Eclipse tanks................
====================================
I think they were her children's tanks - in the children's rooms.
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RM....
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"Tynk" wrote in message
...
On Jan 12, 7:19 am, "ReelMcKoi" wrote:

I think they were her children's tanks - in the children's rooms.
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RM....
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Yes, I have one in my child's room.
I also had a 3g on the kitchen counter. I wanted to replace it with a
6g but found that they switched to cheaper acrylic.
Luckily, I was able to find one with the original acrylic at a Petco.
All the other shops had the newer ones.
=================================

What fish are you keeping now? Do you still have the bettas and angels?
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RM....
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"Tynk" wrote in message
...
Yes, still keep Bettas and Angels.
I have a breeding pair of black angels (they're a black / gold cross
so fry will be both golds and blacks).
I'm growing out some smaller Gold Pearlscales too. I still have a male
gold PS and recently purchased a breeder size female for him.
He still fancies the black female though, but isn't able to steal her
away from my big guy.
When the PS female was finally added after QT, one of the small gold
PS's claims her. It's hilarious seeing the little guy take on the big
guys, and they're submitting to him! = )~
Sadly, I recently had a batch of 6 1/2 week old fry die off due to
bacteria levels that were in the tap water from a water main break.
There weren't any breaks in my area, so I didn't think twice about
doing my daily water change on the fry tank.
Hours later they were either dead or dying. Looked bacterial to me, so
I called up the water dept. (I always talk to the head guy, as he
knows I'm a fish breeder and need specifics). He sees it's me calling
and thinks what's going on in her area now (there were several breaks
in other parts of town- so he was quite busy).
I explained what happened and tells me where the breaks were and how
they wouldn't have affected my area's well (city well water). Then he
goes WAIT!
I heard him clicking away on his computer and he comes backs and says
he figured it out. There was a valve that was opened that is normally
closed, from one of the water main breaks, that made it into our well.
It was enough to wipe out the fry tank, but not enough to bother the
adults in any of the other tanks around the house.
This batch of fry were from my son's pair.
I dosed the remaining half dead ones with Jungle brand's Fungus
Eliminator (works great for bacterial issues even though the name is
misleading). I was down to 3.
One couldn't hold on too long at all, and was down to 2.
A marble like dad and a silver like mom. Both were doing so much
better and then the silver gave out. It just couldn't fight it
anymore.
I still have the one marble left. Poor little thing is so lonely. He's
in a 3g (Eclipse actually,lol) all by it's self.
My black pair is getting ready to spawn any day now. Just in time for
a deep freeze weather wise...which is when you get water main breaks.
= /
I may have Bristle nose fry in a fake driftwood log. I have a pair
that I observed "dancing", and then he was guarding and fanning the
end of this fake thing that has a hold in it. I usually have that end
dug into the gravel, but found it exposed and him going in and out.
Behavior he has never done. I've never had a breeding pair of BS
plecos and was told by somebody who does that the behavior I described
was courtship "dancing", as well as the male guarding.
It would be nice to raise those too. Baby plecos are the cutest!
===========================================
What a bummer to have happen - to lose all those fry. What about
people drinking that bacteria laden water? =:-O

My stepdaughter and her husband have a pair of angels and are trying to
raise them again. But their pair lays eggs and a few days later the male
eats them all, then attacks his mate. They had to put a divider in the tank
again. Those PSs are beautiful but I'm not seeing them in the pet stores
anymore. It's mostly the regular marbles.

Let me know about the bristlenoses. That should be interesting.

Nothing much new with my fish. I'm still collecting rain water to mix 50/50
with tap water so I can keep tetras. All fish are doing fine but the
mollies in the other 55g tank. They keep getting either a fungus or maybe
they're parasites. I'm getting tired of treating them and can't add more
salt because of the plants in the tank. The mollies and gouramies with them
are thriving. I think these are the last mollies I'll ever buy unless I
have a brackish water tank someday.

What do you use to treat parasites on fish like cories and clowns? I like
to keep stuff on hand and am about to order fresh supplies.
--
RM....
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