Eclipse 3 nano plan

[tworochelles]

OK, I have an Eclipse 3 I was given and would like to make a nano. I am thinking a cold/temperate system (i.e. no heater). I will be taking out the bio-wheel (of course) and somehow rigging an auto/pseudo-auto topoff...not quite sure how yet, but working on it. Stocking will be approx. 5 lb. LR including a strawberry anemone, 1/2" LS, 1 catalina goby, 1 blue-leg hermit, 3 cerith snails, and some macroalgae. I don't think this will overload the system, I'm not upgrading the lighting (6w) so I won't have to worry about lighting heat and the ambient temp of the house doesn't rise above 70-72 in the summer, so it should stay cool enough for all concerned. Weekly 1 gal water changes from an established 150 gal reef. Can't figure out how to put on PS so will forgoe it. Any thoughts/suggestions?

 

[chevegan]

This was mine a year ago. However I had custom built a couple sockets to house the screw in type florecents, 20w each.
As you well know lighting is the main concern with the amemone.

This was the same tank moved to a larger 5g bow which is how it remained for about a year, untill last night when I moved it all over to a jbj 12g DX. Yes the anemone is the same Sebae it was a year and a half ago. I never feed it ever. After tons of research and talking to some marine biolowhatsamacalits I was informed that with proper lighting feeding is not at all needed. Anyhow he's never moved/wandered. Maybe luck? or just happy with the parameters. Whatever the case he's great.

Anyhow as far as the eclipse 3 just toss/replace the lighting and get a small heater for winter nights. I kept the heater under the substrate. Also had quite a strong powerhead 80gph. I'm a huge believer in water movement. When it got hot I opened the small lid and placed a 4" fan over it that you can buy in walmart or target for a few bucks. All in all a great little tank. Only reason I changed it was because the person house sitting decided to "clean the GLASS" with some super abrasive material. have fun with your project.

 

[BiggySmalls]

hey CHEVEGAN what are the dimensions of the 3g?

i dont know how many gallons mine is but the dimenisons are...
/16 in long/ 8 in wide/ 9.5 in tall/

 

[chevegan]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8855279#post8855279 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by BiggySmalls
hey CHEVEGAN what are the dimensions of the 3g?

i dont know how many gallons mine is but the dimenisons are...
/16 in long/ 8 in wide/ 9.5 in tall/

The first picture is a gallon and I don't know the specs off hand. But if you just check out the Eclipse 3 on any of the websites they should have it. But those demensions do sound about right. I have a thread in here somewhere showing how I added the lights. If you want to check it out just say so

 

[tworochelles]

Chevegan,
That little tank looks great! I was actually trying to find out the feasability of doing the temperate/cold water system because I'd really like to try out the catalina goby. What kind of upkeep did you do on that little tank? What inhabitants, beside the anemone?

 

[chevegan]

the upkeep is very minimal since it has no inhabitance besides 1 blue leg hermit and a turbo snail. I do a water change once every 3 months or so changing out only 1litre of water. Squirt in some A/B supplement once a month and that's it. The only real maintenance is keeping the powerhead clean. As for a cold water setup, I wouldn't recommend it only cause it's almost impossible to maintain cold temps in small tanks with big wattage. Plus Catalina gobies are finicky eaters.

 

[tworochelles]

Upkeep sounds right up my alley, though I'm planning weekly WC since it is only 3 gallons. How did you 'bury' the heater and what size/brand of heater is it?

 

[chevegan]

Marineland something or other. Look for a nice heater (as in reliable brand name so you don't cook the tank) and check the size against the back. I buried it under the LS and some LR rubble.