i'm a newbie. I made a mistake and I need help.

[7digits]

I've always been fascinated with saltwater, and I finally decided I would try it. I have learned tons of valuable info from this site, and I am thankful for everyone that posts here. So I figured I'd go to petco and see what it would take to get started. Here's my mistake. I thought the easiest way to learn was to get this 29gallon marineland instant ocean kit. It came with an Eclipse 3 hood and filtration system with a biowheel which the associate told me was excellent. I have had my tank up and running for four weeks now. I have thirty lbs of live sand, and forty lbs of live rock. It was cycling slowly, so I accelerated the process by putting some raw shrimp from the grocery store in it. That trick worked great. Last Wednesday it had finished cycling, and the next day I added 2 turbo snails, 2 asterea snails,(7 strometella? Snails came on the live rocks along with 2 or 3 fire bristol worms), I also added a cleaner shrimp, and 2 false percula clowns(for my little girl). The guy at a local reef shop that I found has gotten me interested in corals. So i'd like to add some mushrooms and some polyps in the near future. The problem is my hood. In less then a month one of the lights has burnt out. But it doen't matter because I don't think I have enough light to have corals anyway. So I was wondering if anyone knew of a retrofit kit for my eclipse 3 hood? I also found out that the biowheel is gonna cause lots of nitrates in the future. So I think it's gonna have to go to. I may just throw out the whole hood. I have also read that it's hard to fit a hang on the take protien skimmer in it too. I wish I had done alittle more research before I bought the aquarium, but this is what I have to work with. Could anyone give me some advise on how to proceed?
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[blennydude]

There are retro lights for bio-cubes. A google search should bring up many, or ask your contact at the reef store. Stay clear from advise of Petsmarts, Petco's etc. stick to reef stores, buddy up w/ someone you trust that works there. All I buy from those large pet chains are salt, food, and test kits, b/c there prices are usually better. What light you want depends on what corals you like, if you just plan on mushrooms, polyps, your light which is probably a power compact should work. If you want to eventually put in some small polyp stonys or large polyp stonys you will want to upgrade to a t-5 light or a metel halide kit. The better lights will bring out the colors of the corals better most of the time. If I were you start w/ a small group of easy mushrooms, and or a patch of star polyps. Then I would upgrade and add some ricordea mushrooms, and some cool colored zoanthids. That combo looks and does nice in a bio cube. Also don't go crazy w/ your fish, some nice fish for cubes are small gobies, sixlines, neon dotty's, pygmy angels. Hope this helps, good luck, have fun.

[Chasman]

7digits

Go to the Reef Acquarium section in this forum and click on the "30 gal. update with pics" from a couple of days ago. (My tank is actually 29 gal. and the same thing you have) This obviously is only one way to go but my success has been pretty good. I use a HOB refugium and a twin set of Coralife T5 lights. There are lots of other (and better) ways to do things but this system is working for me. You just have to face the fact that you can't put too much in it. I'll be happy to answer your questions if you have any.

Chas.

[7digits]

Chas did you have the eclipse hood with the biowheel? I thought of going the same route as you did with the lighting. Do I need a glass canopy, or would I just not have a top on it? I think I would have to go with a hang on skimmer, and filter. Also, Are those powerheads held on by magnets? Your tank looks good. If mine ends up looking half as good I'll be pretty happy.

[Chasman]

7digits

I didn't start out with the IO kit. I wanted a 30 gal. due to size from the start. So I didn't have the bio-wheel filter, the glass canopy, or the lights you got in the IO kit. I doubt the lighting you have will be enough. It's hard to find 30" fixtures. I bought an AquaticLife T5 fixture which has alot of nice features but the bulbs are 24" vs the 28" lamps in the two Coralife fixtures. I didn't like the fulness of the light but I'm sure it would work for the easier soft corals. You wont need the glass canopy. Leave it uncovered except for the lighting of course. You could probably use the filter you have for some additional water flow and use it for carbon bags only. Ditch the wheels. I think you can take them out. I use a Fluval 205 canister filter which was a bit of a mistake to buy, but the water flow is good and I only run carbon in it. No sponges or any other filter medium.

I have three powerheads. Two K-1's (Koralia) and one Nano, and yes they are held on with magnets. They come with them. The refugium in the back is made by EcoSystems and runs on a Rio 600 pump. Inside it is a deep sand bed and a (now large) piece of Cheato algae that you can get at your LFS (not PetCo). You can get it on the internet too. CPR makes the AquaFuge which is the exact same thing as the EcoSystem one. You can Google them both if you want to go that route.

The refugium I have has the skimmer built into it. It's basically a CPR skimmer as well. You might be able to get away with a good HOB skimmer if you have a deep sand bed in your tank already. If you hunt around on here, you will find out about all kinds of skimmers. I think I would like one a bit more efficient, but this one works well enough. But two small fish is about all a tank our size can handle. I might be able to get away with three (small fish) well down the road, but I'm moving about 1,300 gal. of water per hour, if you believe what the manufacturers publish.

If you are really serious, you could go the sump route. I've read alot about them but I'm no expert by any means. Lots of guys around here on this forum are though. That's a whole new game with another tank, plumbing, pumps, and a whole host of other things, but clearly the better way to go. To do this over I think I would have done it that way. But what I have does seem to work quite well.

You don't need the ATO (automatic top off) I have, but it's a great weekend project, pretty cheap to make, (wait till you start pricing out some of this stuff) and works like a charm. Tank is always full and fluctuates about 1/8" at the most.

If you go down the road I did I'll help you out the best I can.

Chas.

[7digits]

Thanks for the advice. I went the HOB fuge route, but I got an Odyssea fuge with skimmer. It's exactly the same as the CPR aquafuge, but at $70. I figured I could use the extra water if it was crap, but I'm really happy with it. It didn't come with any instructions, so I went to CPR's page and looked at the instructions for the Aquafuge PS, and found that it was 100% the same thing. The skimmer wasn't the greatest, so I got a Rio 600 pump and hooked an adjustable air pump to it and now I get tons of nasty skimmate. Thanks for the advice.

[Chasman]

7digitd

Good job on the HOB fuge. I read about someone else getting the one from Odyssea. You can't beat the price. I use a Rio600 on mine also. Did you get a light for yours? You'll need one to grow your algae. I'm gorwing Cheato in mine and run the light opposite the display lights. I use the Miracle Mud product in mine but fine sand would work too.

Hope that works out for you.

Chasman

[7digits]

I got a clip-on desk lamp from home depot, and a 6500k cfl to go in it. I have a better light on the way though. My local reef store gave me some Cheato to put in it. Those guys are pretty cool like that. I just put some live sand from my tank in it, about 3 inches. I have a slight hair algae problem in it I think because I didn't put any snails in it. I moved a turbo into it last night. He's been going to town on it. Free Buffet!

[Chasman]

7digits

Did you get a power head or two in there? You will need something for some additional water flow. I'm running two K-1's (Koralia) and that moves the water quite well without being overkill. They are $30 a piece at Marine Depot.

[Jgisler2006]

How did you modify your hood for all this? I am in the exact SAME POSITION. It suck haha. I should have done more research on the hood, but "instant ocean" sounds so convenient right?

As of now I have:

The standard eclipse 3 hood (lighting and filter)
25 lbs of LR
1 Orange Spotted Diamond Goby
1 Green chromis
1 SixLine Wrasse
and 1 Ocellaris Clown

I realize I am at my max

any help with extra filtration?

thanks

[Chasman]

Jgisler2006

I never had the hood to begin with. 7digits did. I know he scraped it as I sold him a new light fixture. He got an HOB refugium as well. Very similar to my tank. Flow in a small tank goes along way. You can see I have three powerheads, a Rio600, and a 205Fluval. My water is pretty turbid.

I'm not sure it's worth trying to cut up an eclips hood. It depends on what you want to try to keep in there. My softies are doing well with the lighting I have. Almost too well in some respects. They are CoraLife 30" fixtures. The lighting selection for 30" tanks is very limited.

Chasman

[Jgisler2006]

Jgisler2006

I never had the hood to begin with. 7digits did. I know he scraped it as I sold him a new light fixture. He got an HOB refugium as well. Very similar to my tank. Flow in a small tank goes along way. You can see I have three powerheads, a Rio600, and a 205Fluval. My water is pretty turbid.

I'm not sure it's worth trying to cut up an eclips hood. It depends on what you want to try to keep in there. My softies are doing well with the lighting I have. Almost too well in some respects. They are CoraLife 30" fixtures. The lighting selection for 30" tanks is very limited.

Chasman

Yes I have an 802 Powerhead and its made for a 75 gallon, I had to tweak it my self to keep it from blasting my fish out of the water ;;

What does that type of lighting range from (price range ) ha

[Chasman]

You can get them at Marine Depot, I think even Petco. The replacement bulbs are a bit harder to find. Google 30" Coarlife marine fixture. You'll find all the prices you need.

[Jgisler2006]

You can get them at Marine Depot, I think even Petco. The replacement bulbs are a bit harder to find. Google 30" Coarlife marine fixture. You'll find all the prices you need.

In terms of filtration though what do you think about something like this ?

Hagen Fluval U3 Underwater Filter at PETCO

considering I have such a limiting hood

and thanks for your help your awesome!

-Jacob

[Chasman]

Jacob

I don't think that would help you all that much. I woudn't do any harm, but you need to figure out how to get a skimmer on your system somehow. I've only seen pictures of those hoods, but I don't see where you could cut out an opening on it anywhere without destroying it.

[Jgisler2006]

Jacob

I don't think that would help you all that much. I woudn't do any harm, but you need to figure out how to get a skimmer on your system somehow. I've only seen pictures of those hoods, but I don't see where you could cut out an opening on it anywhere without destroying it.

Okay, I have also heard that the Bio Wheel eventually becomes a nitrate source. so would you recommend me finding an adaptable skimmer, then removing the bio wheel so the filter just runs through the carbon sponge pad?

[Chasman]

Jacob

I went up to Petco a little bit ago to see what's up with these Eclips hoods and tank kits. It's a bit unfortunate the way Marineland has marketed these things. I went through the display one pretty closely and also just downloaded the manual from the website.

The hood is very engineered (and quite well in some respects) It's basically a Penguin 150 spread out to three chambers. The Penguin 150 on the shelf is rated for a max of 30gal. Hence why they used it. Based on the maze the water goes through I would guess you might get 120gph when really clean. Far less after some filter build up. The light on the display model was what we would call a 24" T8. Nicely packed in there. Everything is packed in there. Like I said, well engineered. The problem, which you are clearly aware of, is it just falls short of what people in the long run want from a marine tank. They give you abottle of de-chlorinating agent which suggests you use tap water. Big NO NO.

As far a doctering this thing goes, it's a remote, and very remote possibility. With some very careful drilling (and not small holes mind you) you might, MIGHT be able to shoehorn some kind of CPR skimmer in there (HOB). I would think you would have leaks and deffinately salt creep. Now you have the light problem. For just fish it's OK. For muchroom corals it might work. Zoo's maybe. But then you're going to need to increase water flow drastically. The pump and filter just aren't enough. This thing is designed to keep Nemo and maybe a small friend. That's about it. It's a shame Marineland is touting this thing the way they are, and the young man at Petco said it's the best seller in the aquarium department.

So my opinion, for what it's worth, pitch the eclips hood and get what you need for what you want to keep. You can still do a nice 29/30gal with the right stuff. The tank is just fine.

To amswer your question about the bio wheel, you don't need it, and yes, it's porbably more bad than good. Especially if you want corals and such. Depends on your tank husbandry.

Sorry for the rather grim news. If you don't have the money to get to the next step, learn with what you have and keep the bio load really low.

Chasman

[Jgisler2006]

Jacob

I went up to Petco a little bit ago to see what's up with these Eclips hoods and tank kits. It's a bit unfortunate the way Marineland has marketed these things. I went through the display one pretty closely and also just downloaded the manual from the website.

The hood is very engineered (and quite well in some respects) It's basically a Penguin 150 spread out to three chambers. The Penguin 150 on the shelf is rated for a max of 30gal. Hence why they used it. Based on the maze the water goes through I would guess you might get 120gph when really clean. Far less after some filter build up. The light on the display model was what we would call a 24" T8. Nicely packed in there. Everything is packed in there. Like I said, well engineered. The problem, which you are clearly aware of, is it just falls short of what people in the long run want from a marine tank. They give you abottle of de-chlorinating agent which suggests you use tap water. Big NO NO.

As far a doctering this thing goes, it's a remote, and very remote possibility. With some very careful drilling (and not small holes mind you) you might, MIGHT be able to shoehorn some kind of CPR skimmer in there (HOB). I would think you would have leaks and deffinately salt creep. Now you have the light problem. For just fish it's OK. For muchroom corals it might work. Zoo's maybe. But then you're going to need to increase water flow drastically. The pump and filter just aren't enough. This thing is designed to keep Nemo and maybe a small friend. That's about it. It's a shame Marineland is touting this thing the way they are, and the young man at Petco said it's the best seller in the aquarium department.

So my opinion, for what it's worth, pitch the eclips hood and get what you need for what you want to keep. You can still do a nice 29/30gal with the right stuff. The tank is just fine.

To amswer your question about the bio wheel, you don't need it, and yes, it's porbably more bad than good. Especially if you want corals and such. Depends on your tank husbandry.

Sorry for the rather grim news. If you don't have the money to get to the next step, learn with what you have and keep the bio load really low.

Chasman

CHASMAN YOU ARE AMAZING.

Just saying haha.

I appreciate all your help!

So as far as Filtration would something like an in-tank skimmer be helpful?
I do realize a con is that it takes up space
But i would rather have less space than DEAD FISH

Red Sea Berlin Airlift Internal Protein Skimmer

I saw this thing and it seems pretty practical.

whats your thought??

[Chasman]

Well ..... it's worth a try. It looks like an air driven skimmer. The air stones will be your biggest challenge. Some of the woodden block ones last along time. Might work, had not thought of that one. Not sure how that will fit in there. You could always buy one and see if it would work before unpacking the thing so you could send it back.

That's why us guys with small tanks have to think out of the box. I have no idea if that will work or not.

Chasman

[Jgisler2006]

Well ..... it's worth a try. It looks like an air driven skimmer. The air stones will be your biggest challenge. Some of the woodden block ones last along time. Might work, had not thought of that one. Not sure how that will fit in there. You could always buy one and see if it would work before unpacking the thing so you could send it back.

That's why us guys with small tanks have to think out of the box. I have no idea if that will work or not.

Chasman

Well I guess thats what i'm going to have to do.
Just buy a skimmer and see if it is possible :/