My Juwel Rio 180 So Far......

[Mr Melt]

Allright lads?

A few of you might have noticed my high post count in recent days, especially when it comes to fish stocking for this aquarium.

I bought it for £180 off a local on Gumtree. It was in a sorry state when I got it, but I've spraypainted the hood, cleaned the glass extensively and replaced the Lighting Unit (T5 model). The only salvageable item from the aquarium was the heater! Also, the pictures are a bit murky; that's due to the sand - it should settle in a day or so =)

In the meantime; while I wait for the thing to cycle I thought I would share a few pictures of it so far......

Feedback is really appreciated!

PS - went for a purely natural look; eg. bogwood and live plants =)
PPS - there IS pondweed along the back; its still small though, so in a few weeks I will upload a picture and we'll see how much its grown by then =P

 

[hanny93]

looks ace, its the type of tank I want, although, how much sand do you want!?

Are you sure thats okay what with the whole anaerobic bacteria pockets etc?

 

[Mr Melt]

looks ace, its the type of tank I want, although, how much sand do you want!?

Are you sure thats okay what with the whole anaerobic bacteria pockets etc?

That's why I planted the plant roots in deep (and so many!); they apparently counter the risk of anaerobic pockets.

 

[lilfishie]

I really like it, hoping to do something similar with my new tank

As for the sand all my tanks have at least an inch, maybe more, i have never had a problem

 

[hanny93]

Ahhh I see, looks ace I was just wondering.

And yeah my sand is about 1.5-2 inches deep at its deepest, this looked ore like five!

 

[Mr Melt]

Ahhh I see, looks ace I was just wondering.

And yeah my sand is about 1.5-2 inches deep at its deepest, this looked ore like five!

Lol - hold on I'll measure it......

...... 2 - 2.5 inches on average; deepest part is top right at 3 inches (for the swordplants with the extra long roots; needed that extra inch!)

I really like it, hoping to do something similar with my new tank

As for the sand all my tanks have at least an inch, maybe more, i have never had a problem

Thanks =)

This is the first time I've dared try my luck at a natural aquarium =P

 

[hanny93]

haha just to make sure

I think its just the pictures and because I'm used to my tank having a big lip it makes it look deeper.

And i know what you mean about the swords.

I moved my tank upstairs today, and I took everything out and gravel cleaned etc, and when it came to taking out the swords i was pullling for ages!

 

[electropunk06]

Very nice, well done
What fish are you planning on adding?

 

[Mr Melt]

haha just to make sure

I think its just the pictures and because I'm used to my tank having a big lip it makes it look deeper.

And i know what you mean about the swords.

I moved my tank upstairs today, and I took everything out and gravel cleaned etc, and when it came to taking out the swords i was pullling for ages!

When I pulled them out of the pot I had to shake my head to clear it for a second; the roots were the longest (and thickest) I have ever seen in a new aquarium plant.........

Very nice, well done
What fish are you planning on adding?

Well its still open to discussion, but the list at the moment stands at:

- x2 Angelfish
- x2 Blue Acara Cichlids
- x2 Opaline Gouramis
- x6 Congo Tetras
- x1 Snowball Pleco

Not in that order of course! Planning to start with the Tetras 1st, then the Gouramis/Pleco and the Cichlids last.

I know Blue Acaras get big, so I'm still browsing for similar colored cichlids (that are smaller =P) in case they get TOO big if you catch my drift...

 

[Duz]

The tank looks great well done where did you get the sand from? When all the sand settles down and the plants grow a bit, enter it for tank of the month, you will be on to a winner.

 

[Mr Melt]

The tank looks great well done where did you get the sand from? When all the sand settles down and the plants grow a bit, enter it for tank of the month, you will be on to a winner.

Got the sand from a fishstore in Lisburn (Northern Ireland). They referred to it as "silver sand". Bought 2 25 kg bags, and gave 10kg to my friend to use in her smaller aquarium.

And thanks very much! I don't think its THAT good like, but thanks anyway! =D

 

[Tizer]

Your probably going to get brown patches on the glass and other bits over the next few months, cycling with real plants will produce algae and its pretty hard to escape from it.

Looking good though mate, very similar to mine, well, in a sense that its the same tank(appart from the size difference) and we both have sand.. I like your sand more than mine too! mines a little dark :\

 

[The chilly dipper]

haha just to make sure

I think its just the pictures and because I'm used to my tank having a big lip it makes it look deeper.

And i know what you mean about the swords.

I moved my tank upstairs today, and I took everything out and gravel cleaned etc, and when it came to taking out the swords i was pullling for ages!

When I pulled them out of the pot I had to shake my head to clear it for a second; the roots were the longest (and thickest) I have ever seen in a new aquarium plant.........

Very nice, well done
What fish are you planning on adding?

Well its still open to discussion, but the list at the moment stands at:

- x2 Angelfish
- x2 Blue Acara Cichlids
- x2 Opaline Gouramis
- x6 Congo Tetras
- x1 Snowball Pleco

Not in that order of course! Planning to start with the Tetras 1st, then the Gouramis/Pleco and the Cichlids last.

I know Blue Acaras get big, so I'm still browsing for similar colored cichlids (that are smaller =P) in case they get TOO big if you catch my drift...

carefull on the tetras i hear they dont do very well in new tanks mate.
somone will clear this up though soon.
but just a heads up.
i know neons dont do well but congos may be ok,just a thought

 

[Mr Melt]

haha just to make sure

I think its just the pictures and because I'm used to my tank having a big lip it makes it look deeper.

And i know what you mean about the swords.

I moved my tank upstairs today, and I took everything out and gravel cleaned etc, and when it came to taking out the swords i was pullling for ages!

When I pulled them out of the pot I had to shake my head to clear it for a second; the roots were the longest (and thickest) I have ever seen in a new aquarium plant.........

Very nice, well done
What fish are you planning on adding?

Well its still open to discussion, but the list at the moment stands at:

- x2 Angelfish
- x2 Blue Acara Cichlids
- x2 Opaline Gouramis
- x6 Congo Tetras
- x1 Snowball Pleco

Not in that order of course! Planning to start with the Tetras 1st, then the Gouramis/Pleco and the Cichlids last.

I know Blue Acaras get big, so I'm still browsing for similar colored cichlids (that are smaller =P) in case they get TOO big if you catch my drift...

carefull on the tetras i hear they dont do very well in new tanks mate.
somone will clear this up though soon.
but just a heads up.
i know neons dont do well but congos may be ok,just a thought

Thanks for the advice mate. I've done a bit of reading, and apparently Congos are hardier than a good lot of their fellow tetra species. Also, my LFS claims that Congos are the best out of my list to put in 1st at any rate (either that or the Gouramis).

In addition, I have filter sponge to fire into the tank tomorrow, so that will increase the tanks bacteria colonies drastically; maybe so much so that the Congos can settle in nicely =)

 

[The chilly dipper]

[/quote]

Thanks for the advice mate. I've done a bit of reading, and apparently Congos are hardier than a good lot of their fellow tetra species.

In addition, I have filter sponge to fire into the tank tomorrow, so that will increase the tanks bacteria colonies drastically; maybe so much so that the Congos can settle in nicely =)
[/quote]
nice one
all the best for your little babies

keep us posted on how they do.im sure you will