Funks Rio 125 Endeavour!

[Funkoid]

Well having taken the plunge I've found myself with a Juwel Rio 125 and a thirst for a marine adventue! Not wanting to repeat but I figured it'd potentially be useful later on! A handful of my questions have already been kindly answered by seffieuk here (http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/358653-just-a-few-questions/)

My current kit list is as follows....

Current Kit List

Juwel Rio 125
Standard Juwel Filter (filter media will be removed but I’m leaving the corner box for the moment)
Standard Juwel 600lph Powerhead
Juwel 200watt Heater
Juwel T8 Ballast 2x18w
2500lph Generic Powerhead (on the way)
v2 Refractometer (on the way)

As discussed in my previous thread I'm intending on replacing the Arcadia F0018 tube with an FMB18 Marine Blue Actinic Tube and for the moment keep the FF18 for a couple of weeks while I get more of the basics in, then I'll change it out with a Marine White Tube FMW18.

I was looking at T5 units that would fit the tank but most appear to sit on top instead of integrate with the cover which is sadly a no go for me, we have a very adventurous cat and although she can't get up there at the moment I don't want to risk her trying! She's already tried to jump into the tank and went splat against the glass! The juwel ones look expensive too which has put me off but time will tell!

I need to get a few Salifert tests, Nitrite, Nitrate, Ammonia and pH which i'm intending on picking up tomorrow. Does any know of good suppliers of live rock in or around Manchester, Warrington or Stockport or even online?!

With regard to protein skimming I've got a limited amount of space between the tank and the back wall so need something that's small really. Has anyone tried the cheap and cheerful BOYU JAD units? I've ordered one of those with the intent of replacing it with a better unit when it becomes available at the right price!

Today i've given the tank a good clean and applied a tidy bit of black vinyl to the back! Many thanks go to R J Signs & Graphics who sold me the vinyl and provided some seriously good tips on how to apply it! If you're in the area they're recomended!

So here we are, the first post!

 

[Funkoid]

Well I've just paid a visit to abyss in Stockport, fantastic store! Ended up going for two marine white Arcadia t8s to start with and I'll add a blue t5 later or look at a cheap led setup.

I noticed that I'd managed to scratch the tank cleaning it yesterday which I'm gutted about but they're only really fine surface scratches... Apparently toothpaste polishes them out?! Anyone tried it?

 

[woody88]

A ''cheap'' led lighting unit?..............let me know when or should I say IF you find one! Lol

Looks like a nice tank mate. Look forward to seeing your progress!

 

[seffieuk]

A ''cheap'' led lighting unit?..............let me know when or should I say IF you find one! Lol

Looks like a nice tank mate. Look forward to seeing your progress!

£50 for a second hand aquaray should do the job

I have heard toothpaste works, the whitening sort but have never tried it

Seffie x

 

[woody88]

A ''cheap'' led lighting unit?..............let me know when or should I say IF you find one! Lol

Looks like a nice tank mate. Look forward to seeing your progress!

£50 for a second hand aquaray should do the job

I have heard toothpaste works, the whitening sort but have never tried it

Seffie x

Never thought of 2nd hand tbh! lol

 

[Funkoid]

Will keep an eye out for one over the next few weeks.

Shockingly I can confirm the toothpaste trick works, scratches aren't anywhere near as visible in the light. I filled the tank up to make sure any toothpaste traces were gone and to check for leaks and even with the lights on the marks aren't visible when filled with water so it was with a couple of hours effort )

Just waiting for bits to arrive in the post now and then I think I'll get cracking. Still not sure whether to mix my own salt water or just get a load of RO, long term which do you think is the most manageable method?

 

[seffieuk]

Long term the only way to go is make your own you will get pretty sick of lugging water from lfs

Seffie x

 

[Funkoid]

So I've started hunting around for a bit of live rock, I'm figuring around 15kg would be enough for the tank I have?

Is there anything I need to watch out for with buying rock from a tank being broken up? Alge problems etc?

 

[seffieuk]

Is there anything I need to watch out for with buying rock from a tank being broken up? Alge problems etc?

There is indeed:
rock that is very heavy and not very porus
rock that stinks - should smell nice, like the sea
rock with aiptasia - always ask the question, is there any of the live rock - a few can be easily dealt with, loads, forget it!
All the rock is completely white, now there may be a good reason for this, its been in a sump for example, but could also mean its dead!

Best place to to buy from someone who has a journel on a forum, that way you can read about its history

Seffie x

ps if you are coming down this way anytime soon I could persuade my sister to sell you some - Rayleigh, Essex

 

[Funkoid]

Thanks!

The more I'm reading the more freaked out I'm getting about the setup, all I've seemed to read about is algae problems unless you run a sump?

 

[Chris_C]

Thanks!

The more I'm reading the more freaked out I'm getting about the setup, all I've seemed to read about is algae problems unless you run a sump?

Following with interest mate


I'm a newbie also (tanks set up for 4 week-ish) it's scary at first but it gets easier as you go the best way to go is to ask as many questions as you can and there is plenty of helpful souls roaming this section.

 

[Funkoid]

I've managed to source some good live rock i'm picking up next week, I really need to get some salt bought though!!

I'm looking at getting 10kg of one of the following

• Reef Crystals
• Tropic Marin Pro Reef
• Seachem Reef Salt

..... question is which one and who delivers quickly!

edit - looking at the calcium content Seachem is looking like a good option, would £20 be good for around 6kg/190L?

 

[Funkoid]

Well things are progressing nicely, I ended up going with Tropic Marin Pro Reef, my refractometer arrived yesterday along with my powerhead and i'm off to pick up some RO later. I'm due to pick up some live rock on monday too so hopefully I'll be cycling from monday evening!

While i'm thinking of stocking how do people rate pets at home marine stock? I've been looking at getting a few regal damsel fish and they do them pretty cheaply? Also the cleaner shrimp are around £10 which i thought was quite a good price too?

 

[Chris_C]

Well things are progressing nicely, I ended up going with Tropic Marin Pro Reef, my refractometer arrived yesterday along with my powerhead and i'm off to pick up some RO later. I'm due to pick up some live rock on monday too so hopefully I'll be cycling from monday evening!

While i'm thinking of stocking how do people rate pets at home marine stock? I've been looking at getting a few regal damsel fish and they do them pretty cheaply? Also the cleaner shrimp are around £10 which i thought was quite a good price too?

I have had some bad fish from pets at home when i did tropical and have also read many bad stories so IMO i would keep away. I would suggest using the Abyss in Stockport if you have been going there already. Although i am new to marine i was pointed in the direction of the abyss by many fishkeepers and it is obvious to see there stock is good when you go in the place. Not to mention one of the women who works there has a degree in marine biology so is full of information.

 

[seffieuk]

We have a great pets at home near us, the staff are brilliant and second to none ------------ it all depends on the manager and staff, so really cant comment on ALL P&H stores!

Looking forward to seeing the rock go in..............

Seffie x