60 replies to this topic

[Spurry]

well i got a second hand Juwel Rio 180 last night and got it home safe and sound
firstly i found a place for it to go the easy bit, now to a good clean as theres heeps of algae on the glass
i have some ideas what i want to do with it, im looking at maybe a rock scape a sort of iwagumi with a few plant in it easy up keep, i would love to go
fully plandted but im still lurning whats what and think it a bit ambitus at the mo all this c02 stuff and i not a fan of gardening lol.....

any advice is welcome!

anyhow heres the tank so far, back to the cleaning!

Edited by Spurry, 10 October 2011 - 04:54 PM.

[Mybbygotsauz]

Fully planted tanks are much harder to keep, but in my opinion they are definitely worth it because they create such a more healthy and natural habitat for fish. The down sides are that parasites such as snails and other various critters will destroy the plants unless you have some fish to eat them. Another downside is that fully planted tanks are extremely difficult to clean. If you do go fully planted i recommend various types of loaches to keep. My favorite personally is the Clown loach because they will keep snails at bay almost instantly. They do best in schools of about 5 or more.
Hope this helps

[Spurry]

UPDATE:

now cleaned and fully empty ready to start



ive been to LFS and had the fluval 305 price matched got it for £66 woohoo

[minnnt]

Nice score on the 305! Great price! Tank looks loads better than when you got it!

Don't see how a heavily planted tank is any harder to keep than a lightly planted tank tbh. Usually more plants mean less algae.

[minnnt]

And clown loaches get to big for this tank, so would be a poor choice. Snails can be eradicated by washing plants thoroughly when purchased and making sure that feeding is correct.

Snails will multiply due to uneaten food in the tank. Ensure that over feeding is avoided and you will be fine.

[Spurry]

Todays Update:

been out shopping this morning got some play sand form argos, did not realize how dirty it would be my bucket looked like blackpool sea front lol
also got for rocks from the garden centre the fish safe all the things are labled if you can use them theres also aqatic shop inside they charge £2kg for
the same stuff you get in a diffrent department there 3 for £10 any size so i got 3 of the biggest i could find

step 1:

Hammer Time



sand



now the hard bit design i think i have a bit off a iwagumi think going on?







next fit my fluval 305



add the wet stuff



and finally after 20 buckets lol its full



so far im happy with it ive about 1"3/4 sand at the rear for planting and about 1" at the fromt and under the rocks
there a bit off bogwood to make a bit off a hide hole, the fluval 305 did take a bit for work to get all the air out but it seems to be
running ok now

theres not much surface breaking going on so any advice there would be good

comment welcome good or bad thanks for looking.....

[minnnt]

Very very very nice! You have a great nak of scaping. I love it.

[Spurry]

thank love the hammer!

[Spurry]

nothing much going on to report at the mo, but if any one have any planting ideas they would be welcome
what do you think would fit in with the theme?

[Malawi MaD]

nothing much going on to report at the mo, but if any one have any planting ideas they would be welcome
what do you think would fit in with the theme?

looking great, depends on what plants your thinking i.e more exotic plants or more common. Twisted vallis would look nice in there with the rock but its a pretty common plant.

[Spurry]

hmmm im thinking of getting a background for the tank and was wondering what you thought would fit in with the theame

[Tizer]

Gloss Black mate, imo

I keep gearing myself up to do my big tank, but every time i stick the hose in there to drain it down i realise i cant be bothered and just do a water change instead ///

[Spurry]

as you say that means a drain down maybe a black plasic them?

[Tizer]

as you say that means a drain down maybe a black plasic them?

Will be easy to move and paint your tank, the gloss black finish is unbeatable as you dont get condensation between the glass and the backing.

Unfortunately my tank is still bloody heavy even when half full and takes an hour to refill. The Gloss needs two layers to do a good covering. Its a lot of fannying around and i should have done it before setting the tank up and plopping meh fish in.

[Spurry]

so you would need to remove 80% water ??? what about the sand and rock wont the glass break when you lift it?

[Tizer]

Why would you lift the tank? Its on a stand I have laminate floors, so it would slide.

[Spurry]

carpet here but maybe it would move bit at a time..

[minnnt]

Should be able to shift it with about 50% water in enough for you to paint it i would have thought. I can move my 180 when half full with the missus helping.

[Spurry]

i will be crapping my self that the unit will fall apart when i move it

[minnnt]

Well i have no experience of a juwel cabinet, but my fluval cabinets are pretty sturdy. Remove as much water as you dare without upsetting the fish and you should be fine with someone helping you. Just shuffle one end out and then the other. Don't try and pick it all up in one and then move it. Do it bit by bit and take your time and have plenty of rests.

I can move my 4ft when about 3/4 full by doing it this way.

You should be fine.