lisa987

I have had an Eclipse 12 for a little while and today I added a Hex5. Overall I love them but I have a question, actually two.

1. Has anyone put a different light into their Hex5? One that you can recommend? Mine has such a dim yellowish light and I loooove the bright white light that came on the Eclipse 12.

2. How loud is the filter system supposed to be on the Eclipse 12? Mine makes a definite motory hum, which isn't unbearable by any means but now that I have heard how amazingly quiet the Hex5 is I'm wondering if I got an unusually noisy one. The Eclipse 12 is loud enough that I at least wouldn't want to sleep near it. They are by the same manufacturer and both have the 3-stage Biowheel filter, just different sizes.

If anyone can offer their experience I'd really appreciate it!

atmmachine816

Chickadee has both of those, she should be around to tell you. I honestly don't have either tank. sorry

lisa987

Thanks atm. I'm not sure whether she reads this board but if not I'll try catching her attention soon.

atmmachine816

I'll send a pm her way

chickadee

Yes I do have both of those tanks and to be very truthful I do not hear my Eclipse 12 at all. I would call the manufacturer (get the customer service number off of http://www.marineland.com.) Hopefully you registered your tank when you bought it so if there is a problem you can get some free help but I will say that they are very helpful and will do what they can for you. I would just tell them that the System 12 runs loud and they can give you some clues to see if it can be fixed so as to run quieter. I think if you compare it to the Hex 5 in noise level they will know what you are talking about.

The call may take a half hour but you should not have to wait that long as they do get to you pretty fast. I had trouble with a hood on one of the Hex's a year ago and they sent me a free hood.

The Hex5 light bulb does need to be replaced and if it is white light you want, the bulbs at Walmart are probably the best but be prepared what ever bulb you use to have some algae to clean off the walls. I would get the Mini Fluorescent Bulb at Walmart as it is white light and not the 50/50 which is made for saltwater tanks and will really give you algae. This is easily removed with a piece of filter floss and a slight (not hard) rub on the tank walls when you do a water change. I use the Colormax bulb as it enhances the fish colors and tank colors but it does give a pinkish glow to everything.

Rose

lisa987

Oh my gosh, THANK YOU Rose! Your post was so unbelievably helpful for me. I'm so happy to hear that the Eclipse 12 is supposed to be quiet because even though the noise didn't bother me too much at first it's getting more on my nerves now. I'll give Marineland a call tomorrow.

Also your advice on the light bulb will save me a lot of time. Before I had no clue whether a fluorescent bulb would fit in the fixture on the tank or if I'd have to buy a whole new fixture and learn to mount it but now I can just whip over to Walmart. In fact, I'm going to do that right now. I am so glad that you have the same tanks or else I'd probably be stuck with my dim yellow Hex and my noisy 12 gallon!