Please advise ... eclipse vs. minibow for nano reef

[Patman1]

Anyone have any opinions, I was hoping to start a second tank, a 5-10g nano....both tanks seem to have some great features and be highly adaptable...


Thanks

Pat

 

[Enkidu]

I have a 3g eclipse for my mantis shrimp. I like it mostly because it was easy to drill; I've got it plumbed into my main system. I know you can get better lights for it too. Maybe some day when the mantis is all grown up and out of the house I'll convert it to a full reef tank. I just wish I had bought the 6g model.

 

[Patman1]

thanks for the reply, nice set up!

 

[maroon clown]

im not sure if the minibow youre talking about is the all glass one i saw online, but if it is, i gotta say the eclipse looks way better imo, especially in the hood design. I have a 12 gallon eclipse and its a great tank, changing the lighting was easy and the 12 is deep enough to do some nice rock placement, i say go for the eclipse

 

[Gatortailale1]

I found a 15 gal glass eclipse tank. I put the smartlight upgrade light kit in it. (32w pc 50/50 bulb) 15 gal has same footprint as a 10 gal tank but it's taller. I have yet to see any commercial lighting options for all-glass minibows. The smart kit is made with instructions to upgrade eclipse hoods. It took 10 mins or less to upgrade it.

 

[GateKeep]

What about an all-in-one solution with a built in overflow/sump area? like they sell at nano-reef.com?