Eclipse ilumination/filtration combinations

[bieques]

Greetings...
I have seen the "Eclipse" systems with the lights and bio-wheel filter built right in to the hood set up very nicely in aquatics shops I have visited in another State. When I inquired about this system here at home I was told more than once that these are not for use with salt water. Yet, 1. they say it right on the side of the package "fresh or marine", 2. I wrote the manufacturer which also stated there was no reason it could not be used with salt water and 3. Like I said, I actually saw two beautiful and well established set-ups with my own eyes. As a new guy in this field, I am requesting your feedback/input - if you don't mind sharing your time and knowledge. Thank you.
bieques

 

[mr . salty]

There are a couple major concerns in keeping a marine tank,and these hood/filters fall way short on both of them.#1,filteration/turnover...A well setup marine tank needs to have around 10 times the water volume of the setup pumped through the filter every hour.That means that a 55 gallon tank should have a filter that pumps 550 gallons per hour.The eclipse barly produces a trickle..#2,,Although not as important as filteration,the lighting in these hoods is incandesant(sp?). These bulbs are rarly used in marine tanks,as this type of lighting has the wrong color spectrum(k rating)..They do offer these bulbs in colors,but this is nothing more than colored glass,and does little to nothing to change the color of light produced....

 

[madd catt]

I think that those eclipse hoods can retrofitted by custom sea life.

 

[reeferx]

I think that those eclipse hoods can retrofitted by custom sea life.<hr></blockquote>
Thanks for that nugget madd catt!
I have a 6 gallon eclipse plant tank that needs better lighting. Those kits look great!

 

[jond]

Yes, you can retrofit to get ok lighting in them and you can cut the back up to make a skimmer fit. If you are just starting, and have not spent the money yet, don't get the Eclipse.

 

[stacy]

You'll spend more in the long run on the eclipse. I have 2 of them. 1st you can't add a skimmer or any other hang on items. You'll need to upgrade the lighting, even though it will be costly all it will do is allow for just a few corals that require nothing but medium lighting. I also am going to add more filtration. My freind that works at the LFS just decided to rip his hood of his tank and just build a custom hood. I'll probably go down that road in the future.

 

[nyy fan]

I have an Eclipse 3 on my 37G and have had success with it so far. I think the main problem is that once you get into this hobby, you always end up wanting more...and with the Eclipse you can't do it, so it has limits.
The lighting can be upgraded to a 55W PC from CSL, but that will really not do much but low light corals, as fish don't care about light. As for the filtration, you really have to slice and dice to add a skimmer. I am getting ready to pull mine off and build a canopy with MH and add a HO-skimmer. I will probably just put the Eclipse on an old 29G to use as a QT.