Modifying My River Reef 48

[nebulasfish]

Hello everyone, I have had my small 48 liter river reef aquarium now for about 6 months and keep encountering a few problems, firstly I would like to take off the black backing so that I can see the state of the filter and watch for my pleco who keeps escaping the main tank into the filter system underneath the pump section which seems to run under the tank. Secondly can I buy a fish guard to prevent the fish from jumping into the back or do I have to be inventive and make my own. So far every thing as been okay apart from one my german rams getting fin rot which I fixed and popeye/cloudy eye. Any ways or solutions on how to prevent any problems like this in the future.

 

[MBOU]

You cant take the black backing off as thats the filter compartment!? Unless you intend to rip out the whole filtration and put an internal filter in there... in which case... why buy the tank!?

As for covering the filtration unit... that would be a bodge job with a bit of perspex or something.

If you bought the tank new, just be aware that any modifications might/probably will void all warantees on the tank so if it suddenly springs a leakor something... you'll be a bit stuck!

 

[nebulasfish]

Well not the actual black plastic stuff but the film that is stuck to the outside just so I can check up on things. Someone on some forum was on about shining light into the back to create a type of algae. I have noticed how so many people seem to modify the filtration objects that come with the tank with other things that do a better job and even don't use the black balls and black foam. Ill have to find some perspex then and invent something lol. Their don't seem to be much around on modifying this tank just to improve the way it works. I was totally new to aquariums when I brought it already am thinking of getting another much larger tank so I can get bigger types of tropical fish inc puffers. Thanks for the reply

 

[MBOU]

Ahhh my mistake, the river reef has a blue back panel doesnt it! Was thinking of the kent marine with the black panel.

I can't think what the back of the tank is like, if it isnt structural, i dont see it being a problem!

TBH with the filter, there isnt a whole lot you can do to change it really! I'd changed over the carbon pouch to abag of RowaPhos, the biomedia to the API Filstar (better surface area for bacteria and ran Evolution Aqua "pure" balls in the pannel where the water is drawn in. Should run perfectly well as is really, they are well made tanks.

 

[nebulasfish]

Haaa thanks very much for the reply ill look out for those products, I really care for my fish and love this relaxing hobby.