Minibow 5 or the eclipse 5 gallon hex which tank is better?

Hi

I am looking for a good 5 gallon tank for a Betta and either some corys, ottos or snails...or maybe just the Betta . I am looking at either the minibow 5 or the eclipse 5 gallon hex. They are about the same (although the hex is on sale right now so it is a bit cheaper). I know there are pros and cons for each...minibow uses incandescent light and hex doesn't have the horizontal space for swimming as the bow does...but I was wondering your opinions on which is the better system.
Also does anyone know whether you can change the minibow light bulb to a fluorescent bulb? Thanks!

--Andrea

 

Personally I like the mini-bow better for a betta , corys or otos. Not sure if the bulbs can be changed or not, maybe someone who knows will chime in and let you know
Carol

 

I believe there is a fluorescent bulb that you can get to replace incandescent ones. Try looking at ... They have lots of stuff.

Sara

 

Walmart sells the minI fluorescent bulbs for the aquariums that use the incandescent bulbs and theirs do not add a lot of heat to the tank. If you buy from a catalog a lot of those are made for saltwater tanks and if you use one of those the algae will grow like crazy. (anything with actinic bulbs) You can use the Colormax MinI Fluorescent bulb for a freshwater aquarium. j

I have all of my bettas and otos in the Marineland Eclipse Hex 5 tanks but the Minibow will be nice for the width for swimming. My little ones seem to be okay in their tanks but either one will make a nice home. If I had it to do over I may have gone with the MinI Bow , but if the price difference is great and you need to economize, there is not that much difference to the fish. Otos are bottom dwelling and Bettas need surface area.

I hope this is helpful.

Rose

 

Thanks ;D

I think I will go with the minibow. The eclipse is about $10 less than the minibow right now but I get a discount anyways so the minibow won't be that expensive...Besides what is a few extra dollars to make Ra a happy little Betta . Thanks Sara for the link. There is a minI fluorescent bulb that they are selling that is under the minibow description. I believe that we might have it at work also...but Ill check tonight. Thanks again!

---Andrea