FishProfiles.com Message Forums

Heya guys, just one long question for you. My dad is going to have a small tropical tank on his desk (knew i'd eventually convert him from his big, stinky dog), probably only a 2 footer, and he wants an easy all-in-one tank (ie filter, heater, light in the hood).

My questions are as follows:

1. What do you think of all-in-one tanks?

2. Which of them have you had experience with?

3. What are your reccomendations for type?

4. How easy were they to clean?

Thanks in advance, dears!!!!!

A friend of mine has an Eclipse 12 http://www.bigalsonline.com/catalog/product.xml?product_id=27175;category_id=2703 not sure if that is what you are talking about but if it is, its an awesome tank. I'm the one who takes care of it and its a dream. The best part about the whole thing is its so quiet, you don't even know its there. It is very easy to clean.

Steph

---

I used to be Snow White, but I drifted.
~ Mae West

Most of the all-in-one tanks do not include heaters. Also if you buy an all-in-one kit that is not an eclipse usually the filter is not that great and you will probably end up needing to replace it.

One drawback to all-in-one tanks is like the combination TV/DVD/VCR. If you lose the DVD, the TV itself must go in for repair. If you have an Eclipse system and the filter goes, you end up having to buy a whole new tank. This has deterred me from them.

Also, I had a bad experience with an Eclipse 3 where I could not regulate the tank temp. The filter sits low and partially in the water. That unit gets hot and heats the water. My tank, with the lid closed and the light on for even 30 minutes, heated to 83F. With the light off and lid closed it was around 78. I had to keep the lid propped to stay around the 76F or so that I wanted. I didn't like this at all. A guppy I was keeping in there was doing terrible due to the high heat. Now, maybe I had a bad unit, but others had similar experiences when I made posts. Maybe the larger units don't do this.

I'm looking at the new All-Glass (real glass) Mini-Bow 7. I can put my own filter on it and its a classy looking tank.

http://www.all-glass.com/products/aquariums/minibow7.shtml

I'd be curious in a year or two from now as to how people feel about their Nano-Cubes (12 and 24 gal). If I had room, I'd try the Nano 12 instead of the mini-bow 7. That filtration system seems ok.

Last edited by Cory_Di at 23-Jan-2005 14:01

My friend has never had a problem with his overheating, but then like you said, it is a larger tank. Also, I just checked out marineland's site and you can order a replacement filter for it which is good since I thought I burned his up last time I cleaned his tank.

---

I used to be Snow White, but I drifted.
~ Mae West

You know, you are right about the replacement filter. I forgot about that - it does come out - the unit, that is. So that is a good sign. I think the heat thing was limited to smaller tanks.

I have a little 2 gal eclipse (I think) with the same kind of filter setup if it isn't. I never used it because I was worried about it not being warm enough. I hate the little heaters, I've owned about 5 and none worked right. I should get it going and see what the temp runs. I can see another betta in the future if it stays warm enough

edit: its an eclipse explorer, not sure of the gallons but am guessing 2

Last edited by doedogg at 23-Jan-2005 18:10

---

I used to be Snow White, but I drifted.
~ Mae West

I've had an Eclipse 6 for about a year now. There's considerable splashing at the output which can't be adjusted by raising the water level (too high ) I'm also not crazy about the middle support piece, seems to make it difficult for gravel vacuuming/cleaning.

But otherwise it's a nice little tank, I currently have mine on the kitchen counter. I added a small heater and it maintains a steady temp.

My son has a Mini-Bow 2.5g and I have a 5g which I'm not using, both ok and again don't come with a heater.

I don't know if I'd buy either again for myself, I'm just not overly fond of bow-front tanks.


~~~~~~~~~~~~
There is water at the bottom of the ocean

Well, I've heard great things from the Eclipse system even though I haven't used it myself.

I like the minibows a lot, but the biggest size they have is only a 7 gallon, so it prolly isn't what you're looking for.

IMO, any type of aquarium starter kit or set up isn't really the way to go, because I think it's cheaper and easier to pick out your own equipment. That way everything is your preference.

-Formerly known as the Ferretfish

Ok, thanks for the replies, I'll print them out and give them to my dad!!!

Cheers, and lotsa hugs for the guys, ALEX

I have been watching my little explorer's temp and the highest it gets is 74º Little too chilly for bettas. Besides the current is wicked strong, probibly another reason I never used it for anything.

---

I used to be Snow White, but I drifted.
~ Mae West

i think the largest problem is inferior eqiupment with high quality price tags. i own 3 tanks and 2 of them are kits. my 10g and my 29g are kits and i can promise you both have cost me twice as much money because everything needs to replaced. the 10g has a heater set to the lowest setting possible and it sits at 78º. the 78º setting use to work but now i think the thermostat is fried.

the 29g tank had a nice filter, pengiun 170 by marineland, but of course it was to small to run this size tank which is very common on kits. most kits have equipment just barely rated for thier sized tanks.

save yourself some serious money and buy real equipment yourself. and stay away from chain stores. if money is the issue these places will charge you $50 for so called top of the line heaters that dont even turn on when ya bring them home.