Fluval Roma 240l

[Bobtastic]

Hi all,

The misses has put the idea of getting a large 240litre tank into my head (not that I need much encouragement). We are looking at the Fluval Roma 240 as our LFS does a price match on it and it seems a "reasonable price". I'm a little concerned that it might be an old setup, as most of the new Fluvals have a pre-drilled base and are all bow fronted...

Is there any benefit of having a bowed front or a pre-drilled base (other than the obviousness of not having piping coming up the back)?

Also the setup comes with a Fluval 305 is that gonna be enough filtration? I'm looking to setup a planted tank with community fish.

 

[Davo86]

The Roma is a relatively new range, that is an updated version of the duo-deep range
IMO the hagen fluval range, i.e.e roma, vicenza and venezia tanks are some of the best and most reliable tanks around, (external filtration aside)

again IMO, drilled bases are only beneficial to marine keepers and bowfronts are very overpriced for what they are; fish also do best in a standard shaped long tank

 

[Bobtastic]

IMO the hagen fluval range, i.e.e roma, vicenza and venezia tanks are some of the best and most reliable tanks around, (external filtration aside)

Filtration aside?!?! Are their filters bobbins? I've been wanting to get an external filter but don't want a crap one...

 

[MHunt]

Hi all,

The misses has put the idea of getting a large 240litre tank into my head (not that I need much encouragement). We are looking at the Fluval Roma 240 as our LFS does a price match on it and it seems a "reasonable price". I'm a little concerned that it might be an old setup, as most of the new Fluvals have a pre-drilled base and are all bow fronted...

Is there any benefit of having a bowed front or a pre-drilled base (other than the obviousness of not having piping coming up the back)?

Also the setup comes with a Fluval 305 is that gonna be enough filtration? I'm looking to setup a planted tank with community fish.

I got the tank below this (Roma 200) just after christmas this year, and it's an excellent tank. The build quality of the tank is ok (the finish is a little rough in places) but for the price i paid i think it's a decent tank. The fluval 205 filter that came with mine is more than adequate, provides pleanty of flow and i've had no water quality issues in my tank at all, but i've been quite strict with my stocking decisions and I haven't gone over it by even one fish and i'm completely happy with what I've got, which is a first for me. The only advantage with a drilled base is you can run the filter pipes straight up into the tank instead of round the back, it's a purely aesthetic decision imo and wouldn't affect the operation of the tank. Bow fronting is also an aesthetic decision, and personally I think it distorts the view of the tank too much so again the straight glass is my preffered option. The Fluval Osaka tanks are great also and the curved corners on the tank are nice, but by comparison, the tank costs a fair bit more for a similar capacity so there's your decision.

I think the Roma is a great tank and if you get the 240 at a decent price then I would say go for it.

 

[Davo86]

IMO the hagen fluval range, i.e.e roma, vicenza and venezia tanks are some of the best and most reliable tanks around, (external filtration aside)

Filtration aside?!?! Are their filters bobbins? I've been wanting to get an external filter but don't want a crap one...

Peoples opinions and experiences with fluval filters vary incredibly, some say they are absolutely brilliant, then others will say they break, leak and are absolutely rubbish.

to be fair, at present we have a roma 240 setup and running instore and the filter on that does a great job but knowing of the bad experience people have had with them, I personally wouldn't risk it, and would ebay it and then get myself a Tetratec EX1200 or eheim classic

 

[Bobtastic]

Peoples opinions and experiences with fluval filters vary incredibly, some say they are absolutely brilliant, then others will say they break, leak and are absolutely rubbish.

to be fair, at present we have a roma 250 setup and running instore and the filter on that does a great job but knowing of the bad experience people have had with them, I personally wouldn't risk it, and would ebay it and then get myself a Tetratec EX1200 or eheim classic

Oh dear... I'm not sure the misses would be happy about that... Humm... I may have to "suck it and see".

 

[MHunt]

Oh dear... I'm not sure the misses would be happy about that... Humm... I may have to "suck it and see".

Hopefully not literally!

My experience has been very good so far. It's a quiet filter, and maintenance is fine, all the seals are ok after two cleans, generally a decent filter. I also like the filter stop feature that caps the pipes as you remove them from the filter. Very useful.

 

[saz326]

I Also have the Roma 200. Do take a look at seapets website as they have the old Roma cabinets which may suit you more - not my cup of tea but it reduces the price as the old cabinets simply need to be sold.

The tank is top notch in my opinion. All joints and edges perfect. Glass is also good and thick. Lighting as well is top notch.

Had one initial problem with the filter in that it leaked. I then noticed that the o ring wasnt sealing properly so simply lubricated it with a little vaseline and all has been perfect ever since. (bought the tank September last year)

I think the main trouble people have with the 205 external filter that I have (guess you would have the 305?) is that they don't maintain them as well as perhaps they could. Maintain the silicone joints - the o-rings on the filter head, and ends of the pipes and nothing can go wrong.

 

[Craster]

nothing can go wrong.

 

[saz326]

nothing can go wrong.

Yeah....regretted saying that.

Please don't quote me to your insurance supplier when the eventual inevitable breakdown finally happens after 50 years of troublefree fishkeeping. (its bound to happen sooner or later)

 

[Bobtastic]

nothing can go wrong.

Do you know something I don't Craster?

 

[Craster]

I know that saying "nothing can go wrong" is the fastest way to end up mopping up 65G of water

 

[dave_oddballs]

i have the roma 240, came with the fluval 305, which is capable of filtering up to 300 liters of aquarium water, so its capabilities are pretty self explanatory. i however replaced the 305 with the fx5 for the simple reason, the 305 would not cope with my stocking. if you plan on keeping the stocking to your average amount of community fish then the 305 will be more than adequate. i gave the 305 to my girlfriend for her roma 125, priming it was a bit of a nuisance but once it is going it does well, not too noisy and if properly maintained, i.e. keep the impeller etc. clean as well as the filter media when maintaining and lubricate the rubber seals before putting it back together with appropriate lubricant to be sure to maintain and lengthen the life of it, then everything should be fine!
someone mentioned the build quality of the tank, and thick glass? in my opinion and experience, on having one sat in front of me right now is that the glass is not thick enough. to me if you fill up an aquarium and the front and back panes or glass bow out then it ain't thick enough. it does worry me slightly now and again but i doubt anything would ever come of it!(fingers crossed) errrm 1 more thing, the lights sit far too close to the waters surface meaning it is quite prone to green slimy algae so needs to be cleaned quite often. i don't suppose there would of been any other way of getting the compact design of the hood.
all in all i am happy with the aquarium and makes a very nice piece of furniture in your living room!

David

 

[Bobtastic]

I've just been reading through a few posts and there is quite the difference in opinion regards to Fluval's external filters in general. I'm not sure that I would have the money or the patience to get the tank with the filter then sell the filter and buy a different one.

 

[dave_oddballs]

if you are just thinking of average community stocking then i would say go for it!
i have always used fluval filters and equipment and find them very good!
like i said the priming was a pain in the #### but if you follow the instructions, carefully, then it should be good! don't just get it running and think 'oh its done now just chuck it under there and forget about it'. it needs maintenance and if you do this correctly then it will be as problem free as any other filter.
don't mess around getting a tank set up and changing your filter and this n that when there is absolutely no need to.
if you want a nice 240 liter tank with decent filter , light etc and good looking then why not the roma??