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Hi everyone.

I am going to be setting up a new 20 gal tank and I have a few questions. The tank I'm considering purchasing has an Eclipse hood with a built-in biowheel filter. The guy at my LFS highly recommended it. My other option is to buy a regular hood and an Emperor 280 HOB biowheel. I'd be using artificial plants.

1) Does anyone have any experience with the Eclipse hood/filter? Was my LFS guy correct that they were well regarded?

2) What I'd like to include in the tank is:

6-8 Harlequin Rasboras
4-6 Panda Cories (or other small cories)
1-2 Cherry Barbs

Any problems with this mix of fish? Any suggested changes? I want a peaceful tank (even Zebra Danios stress me out with their nipping) but one with enough color/movement to make it interesting.

3) What fish should I cycle with? The Cherry Barbs?

Thanks for any help you can provide me. I've run a tank before (a 10 gal) but that was a few years ago and I'm trying to reeducate myself on all of this to avoid any mistakes.

Kathy

Welcome to FP

I'll let someone else advise on the stocking because I've never kept Rasboras.

I had an Eclipse hood and I didn't care for it. I like the biowheel but having it in the hood is IMO problematic.

If there was any vibration from the impeller the lid would rattle. It was a pain to clean because the pump unit needed to be lifted out and even when it was taken apart there were spots you couldn't get to. And IMO the most irritating thing was the light in the hinged part of the hood. When you opened it to do anything, the tank is no longer lit.

So, there you have it. I love the biowheels and use Penguin filters exclusively but I don't like the Eclipse system.

I'd cycle with the Barbs.

Have fun, MIke

stock is fine
ull b amazed by the activity level

Yeah, that hood/filter setup works pretty well. Plus, your stocking list looks just fine. A little advice though: Corydoras catfish really appreciate being kept in groups of at least six, so I'd go for six or more of the pandas. As for cycling, the rasboras should be okay. They are pretty hardy, and will get your filter running faster than one or two cherry barbs will.

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And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."

Kathy,
That stocking sounds like a really interesting tank with lots of movement.
I'll second that the harlequins are pretty hardy. I have a school of nine and they are beautiful fish with brilliant colors. You definitely will not regret the choice!
Good luck!
Jen

im not sure but you might have room for a gourmis as well

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''All the clown fish and yellow tangs in the world cant save you now!''

Thanks, everyone, for your replies (and the welcome!). For the time being, I've decided to skip the Eclipse hood for the less expensive option. I figure I can always get one later if I'm unsatisfied with my regular HOB filter. I appreciate the feedback very much.

Thanks also for the stocking opinions. Alex, you aren't the first person to suggest a gourami. I have absolutely no experience with them, though. From what I remember reading, they are not a schooling fish so I could just keep a single one, correct? And that Dwarf Gouramis are very peaceful? I'm wondering if this might be a better option than the Cherry Barbs, since I keep seeing conflicting info on whether they are schooling or fine in pairs. Anyone have opinions/suggestions on this?

Kathy

One dwarf will work as they have a similer temperment to male bettas. If your LFS has honey gourmis, you can try them out. They are considered more peaceful. Have you thought about rams? They are very pretty as well.

You seem to be on the right track with your stocking, welcome to FP

I'll do graffiti,
If you sing to me in French.

Thanks, Katie (and everyone). I went today to pick up my Rasboras to cycle with (along with some Bio-Spria; we'll see if it works as well as people say!), and they did indeed have some Honey (Sunset) Gouramis. I decided to wait to make a final decision until I was sure the tank was completely cycled (since they were $5 each) but I thought they were very pretty and everything I've been reading about them is intriging. I'm leaning towards getting one instead of the Cherry Barbs.

Thanks for all the input!

Kathy