Mini Eclipse tank questions

I'm thinking of getting an Eclipse Orca 2 or Eclipse 3 gallon tank for
my desk. I've read that the filter motor warms the water. How much
warmer than the room temperature does the water get?

How many power cords does it have? Is it possible to put the light on a
timer for low-light plants or does it have to be turned on and off manually?

Finally, is it possible to put an automatic feeder on it? I telecommute
a lot so I either have to have light and plant eating critters or a
feeder. I was looking at a Fish Mate because it should be able to
dispense just a few mini pellets.

Thanks for any info!

--
Elaine T __
http://eethomp.com/fish.html '__
rec.aquaria.* FAQ http://faq.thekrib.com

Elaine,

I have the Eclipse 3. I did not find, as others have, that it warmed the
water. My water remained at room temperature.

I think the light can be placed on a timer and has a separate cord (self
starting flourescent).

There is far too little space to put a feeder. The hood fit is very, very
tight.

It is rather a pain to deal with, because there is no lid, per se....the
whole top cover must be removed to feed or do anything.


You might want to look into one of the Nano setups. I have no direct
experience with them, but they seem superior.




"Elaine T" wrote in message
...
I'm thinking of getting an Eclipse Orca 2 or Eclipse 3 gallon tank for my
desk. I've read that the filter motor warms the water. How much warmer
than the room temperature does the water get?

How many power cords does it have? Is it possible to put the light on a
timer for low-light plants or does it have to be turned on and off
manually?

Finally, is it possible to put an automatic feeder on it? I telecommute a
lot so I either have to have light and plant eating critters or a feeder.
I was looking at a Fish Mate because it should be able to dispense just a
few mini pellets.

Thanks for any info!

--
Elaine T __
http://eethomp.com/fish.html '__
rec.aquaria.* FAQ http://faq.thekrib.com

"Elaine T" wrote in message
...
I'm thinking of getting an Eclipse Orca 2 or Eclipse 3 gallon tank for my
desk. I've read that the filter motor warms the water. How much warmer
than the room temperature does the water get?

I have Eclipse 2, Eclipse 3 and Eclipse 6. They all get
warmer by at least a few degrees than air temp. I usually
leave the lid open to help cool the water down some.
Right now just the Eclipse 6 is set up (others tend to
be used as hospital tanks).

How many power cords does it have? Is it possible to put the light on a
timer for low-light plants or does it have to be turned on and off
manually?

1 power cord for the lid with light, 1 power cord for
the filter. I also add a heater (which is seldom on
except rarely when it gets cold outside) and bubble
wand, so two more cords attached to a power strip.

My power strip has a timer into which I hook the
hood (light). Works just fine.

Finally, is it possible to put an automatic feeder on it? I telecommute a
lot so I either have to have light and plant eating critters or a feeder.
I was looking at a Fish Mate because it should be able to dispense just a
few mini pellets.

I don't use automatic heaters so can't help you
with that. If they need space to hang off the tank,
that could be a problem.

Thanks for any info!

--
Elaine T __
http://eethomp.com/fish.html '__
rec.aquaria.* FAQ http://faq.thekrib.com

Good luck. I really like the Eclipse systems
(although I only have the smaller ones).

Gail

Alpha wrote:
Elaine,

I have the Eclipse 3. I did not find, as others have, that it warmed the
water. My water remained at room temperature.

I think the light can be placed on a timer and has a separate cord (self
starting flourescent).

There is far too little space to put a feeder. The hood fit is very, very
tight.

It is rather a pain to deal with, because there is no lid, per se....the
whole top cover must be removed to feed or do anything.


You might want to look into one of the Nano setups. I have no direct
experience with them, but they seem superior.


Thanks for the review. I looked at the Nano Cubes and found a 6 gallon
model. It looks a lot nicer than the Eclipse, although rather pricey.
My other thought is to forget the fish, put a desk lamp over a vase with
a large surface area, and see if I can't get a dwarf water lily to
flower. :-)

--
Elaine T __
http://eethomp.com/fish.html '__
rec.aquaria.* FAQ http://faq.thekrib.com

Gail Futoran wrote:
"Elaine T" wrote in message
...

I'm thinking of getting an Eclipse Orca 2 or Eclipse 3 gallon tank for my
desk. I've read that the filter motor warms the water. How much warmer
than the room temperature does the water get?


I have Eclipse 2, Eclipse 3 and Eclipse 6. They all get
warmer by at least a few degrees than air temp. I usually
leave the lid open to help cool the water down some.
Right now just the Eclipse 6 is set up (others tend to
be used as hospital tanks).


How many power cords does it have? Is it possible to put the light on a
timer for low-light plants or does it have to be turned on and off
manually?


1 power cord for the lid with light, 1 power cord for
the filter. I also add a heater (which is seldom on
except rarely when it gets cold outside) and bubble
wand, so two more cords attached to a power strip.

My power strip has a timer into which I hook the
hood (light). Works just fine.


Finally, is it possible to put an automatic feeder on it? I telecommute a
lot so I either have to have light and plant eating critters or a feeder.
I was looking at a Fish Mate because it should be able to dispense just a
few mini pellets.


I don't use automatic heaters so can't help you
with that. If they need space to hang off the tank,
that could be a problem.


Thanks for any info!

--
Elaine T __
http://eethomp.com/fish.html '__
rec.aquaria.* FAQ http://faq.thekrib.com


Good luck. I really like the Eclipse systems
(although I only have the smaller ones).

Gail


Thanks. The full tank setup with a power strip and so forth is more
complicated than I want for the office. I may just grow some aquatic
plants instead so that I don't need anything but a lamp.

--
Elaine T __
http://eethomp.com/fish.html '__
rec.aquaria.* FAQ http://faq.thekrib.com