Needing Help With Buying A New Tank (Newbie)

[FlyingPanda]

Hey guys!

I've never had a fish tank before, so this will be my first one.

Here is what i've got my eyes set on:

http://www.arkpetsonline.co.uk/aquastyle-850-aquarium-and-cabinet-p-2805.html

I've looked around for other similarly sized tanks (this size will be more than enough for what i need) but i keep coming back to this one, i just want to know if there's any other similarly sized tanks that are perhaps better or just as good as this one?

Also, this will be used for a tropical set up, which brings me to my second question, can anyone recommend me a good heater?

I think that's about it for now, i'm still doing a ton of reading on maintenance and whatnot but the answers to the above two questions would be much appreciated and would help alot, thanks!

 

[Akasha72]

wow... for that price I'd want a heater included in the deal. Have you looked at Juwel? They have some good deals and are fantastic tanks and I'm sure they all come with the filter and heater included...

 

[fluttermoth]

to the forum, FlyingPanda

I don't buy tanks new, but that one looks pretty good, and a nice size; so often we see people choosing very small tanks for their first attempt at fishkeeping, and small tanks are actually much harder to keep stable, so I think you've made a good choice.

I find all heaters much the same to be honest; just avoid anything very cheap, and if you think you're going to be keeping catfish, I'd recommend one that comes with a heater guard.

We have an excellent 'beginner's resource centre' (the link is in my sig) with some articles that will be very useful to you right now; the ones on 'The Nitrogen Cycle' and 'Cycling' are a good place to start; as you'll soon find out, fishkeepers don't really keep fish; they keep water and bacteria, and they keep the fish!

 

[Akasha72]

oops ... forgot to say welcome! How rude of me, sorry!!

 

[dbanner]

That tank looks nice what fish are you planning to keep in it? Have you thought about buying 2nd hand? You could get a similar size tank for half that price and will more than likely come with everything you need like heater, substrate, filter and so on. I bought most of my tanks 2nd hand. Latest being a 5 foot 450 litre juwel rio which was £200 and came with sand, 2 300 watt heaters, bogwood and an external filter.

Using sand I believe gives you a wider choice of the fish you can keep

Your question about a good heater... Iv had a number of different ones and they have all done the job so it would be hard to point out one better than the other. Pretty sure you should be looking for a 200 watt heater for a tank that size but maybe someone else could give you a definite answer on that.

 

[crago1990]

have a look on www.seapets.co.uk i just got my 200l tank on there far cheaper then i found anywhere else.

 

[FlyingPanda]

wow... for that price I'd want a heater included in the deal. Have you looked at Juwel? They have some good deals and are fantastic tanks and I'm sure they all come with the filter and heater included...

Thanks, and yeah i know, can't believe they'd skimp out on the heater lol, i've started to look at some Juwel ones aswell, most interesting, i'm really liking the look of the Juwel Vision 180 and like the curvy designs to them aswell, definitely more food for though

to the forum, FlyingPanda

I don't buy tanks new, but that one looks pretty good, and a nice size; so often we see people choosing very small tanks for their first attempt at fishkeeping, and small tanks are actually much harder to keep stable, so I think you've made a good choice.

I find all heaters much the same to be honest; just avoid anything very cheap, and if you think you're going to be keeping catfish, I'd recommend one that comes with a heater guard.

We have an excellent 'beginner's resource centre' (the link is in my sig) with some articles that will be very useful to you right now; the ones on 'The Nitrogen Cycle' and 'Cycling' are a good place to start; as you'll soon find out, fishkeepers don't really keep fish; they keep water and bacteria, and they keep the fish!

Thanks! I certainly will look the info up, you wouldn't realise just looking at a fish tank but it's pretty amazing how it all comes together.

That tank looks nice what fish are you planning to keep in it? Have you thought about buying 2nd hand? You could get a similar size tank for half that price and will more than likely come with everything you need like heater, substrate, filter and so on. I bought most of my tanks 2nd hand. Latest being a 5 foot 450 litre juwel rio which was £200 and came with sand, 2 300 watt heaters, bogwood and an external filter.

Using sand I believe gives you a wider choice of the fish you can keep

Your question about a good heater... Iv had a number of different ones and they have all done the job so it would be hard to point out one better than the other. Pretty sure you should be looking for a 200 watt heater for a tank that size but maybe someone else could give you a definite answer on that.

In all honesty i havn't decided yet, i will be keeping a Betta, but i'm still looking up on guides on how they should be taken care of atm before deciding on others, also good point on getting it second hand, will look into that aswell.

have a look on www.seapets.co.uk i just got my 200l tank on there far cheaper then i found anywhere else.

Can i ask which one you got mate?

I'm also looking into this one at the moment:

http://aquariumsdelivered.co.uk/onlineshop/aqua-one-aquastyle-980-aquarium-set?___store=english

Although i think i might be going a bit overboard now.

Thanks for the warm welcom aswell guys, appreciate it

 

[crago1990]

http/www.seapets.co.uk/products/aquarium-supplies/aquariums/fluval/fluval-roma-aquariums/fluval-roma-200-aquarium-and-cabinet-oak-and-wenge.html

Get loads free stuff with it aswell.

 

[dbanner]

Iv just sold a vision 180 for £100 with everything...

Literally like 3 weeks ago

 

[gforce17]

The Fluval Vicenza range are beautiful. I've got the 260 and I got it at a good price. The 180 would be nearer the size of the one you're looking at. Here's a link but look for it at a cheaper price. The filter pipes are built into the tank for neatness. Good luck!

http/www.seapets.co.uk/products/aquarium-supplies/aquariums/fluval/fluval-vicenza-aquarium-sets/fluval-vicenza-180-aquarium-and-cabinet-black-titanium-and-zebrano.html

 

[sadguppy]

I have this one and I love it : http/www.seapets.co.uk/products/aquarium-supplies/aquariums/fluval/fluval-roma-aquariums/fluval-roma-200-aquarium-and-cabinet-oak-and-wenge.html

You can get it with a black cabinet.

Edit: and here it is: http/www.seapets.co.uk/products/aquarium-supplies/aquariums/fluval/fluval-roma-aquariums/fluval-roma-200-aquarium-and-cabinet-black-with-silver-inserts.html

 

[gforce17]

I found an interesting link.

http/www.aquarist-classifieds.co.uk/php/detail59_250492.php

 

[Akasha72]

Thanks, and yeah i know, can't believe they'd skimp out on the heater lol, i've started to look at some Juwel ones aswell, most interesting, i'm really liking the look of the Juwel Vision 180 and like the curvy designs to them aswell, definitely more food for though

I did much the same as you around christmas as I got mostly money and decided I'd treat myself to a bigger tank. I checked online as you are doing but I also went around aquarium shops looking, asking questions and generally seeing with my own eyes what they all looked like. My budget was much smaller (£130) than yours so my choices were more limited. The day I bought my Juwel rekord I looked at the Juwel 180. My Dad (long time fish keeper too) was with me and we both just stood and admired it for quite a bit. I think we were both wishing we had more room and more money!

I did look at the aqua one tanks and ask questions about the filter being in the lid. I asked what happened if the filter broke down and was told that in that case I'd have to buy a whole new lid. I'm pretty sure this was salesman speak and I'm also sure that someone on here at the time said it wasn't the truth but it may be worth checking out before you spend your cash.

I also looked at a Fluval and liked what I saw but in the end it came down to my budget and the Juwel won out.

I've not regretted my purchase in any way. It's just short of 3 feet long, holds 110 litres and is a nice size to maintain. The filter is situated in the back right hand corner of the tank in an easy to disguise box and the there's a slot to slide the heater inside it too so you don't get to try and disguise that. The box is glued to the glass with silicone so is removeable if needed.

I'm not trying to sway your decision, I'm just sharing my experience of getting a new tank as I know it can be confusing when there's so much out there.

If you have any questions regarding the Juwel feel free to ask - I'll do my best to answer you.

Good luck
Akasha

 

[FlyingPanda]

I found an interesting link.

http/www.aquarist-classifieds.co.uk/php/detail59_250492.php

Very interesting indeed, unfortunately the cabinet wouldn't go with the room though, need it to be black or silver, thanks nonetheless

I have this one and I love it : http/www.seapets.co.uk/products/aquarium-supplies/aquariums/fluval/fluval-roma-aquariums/fluval-roma-200-aquarium-and-cabinet-oak-and-wenge.html

You can get it with a black cabinet.

Edit: and here it is: http/www.seapets.co.uk/products/aquarium-supplies/aquariums/fluval/fluval-roma-aquariums/fluval-roma-200-aquarium-and-cabinet-black-with-silver-inserts.html

Man, thanks for this, seriously, i was kinda baulking at the price of the Aqua One 980 but this is only 15 litres less, alot cheaper and looks really nice aswell, will most probably be going with this now (PS it comes with a heater!! Wahoo^^).

I did much the same as you around christmas as I got mostly money and decided I'd treat myself to a bigger tank. I checked online as you are doing but I also went around aquarium shops looking, asking questions and generally seeing with my own eyes what they all looked like. My budget was much smaller (£130) than yours so my choices were more limited. The day I bought my Juwel rekord I looked at the Juwel 180. My Dad (long time fish keeper too) was with me and we both just stood and admired it for quite a bit. I think we were both wishing we had more room and more money!

I did look at the aqua one tanks and ask questions about the filter being in the lid. I asked what happened if the filter broke down and was told that in that case I'd have to buy a whole new lid. I'm pretty sure this was salesman speak and I'm also sure that someone on here at the time said it wasn't the truth but it may be worth checking out before you spend your cash.

I also looked at a Fluval and liked what I saw but in the end it came down to my budget and the Juwel won out.

I've not regretted my purchase in any way. It's just short of 3 feet long, holds 110 litres and is a nice size to maintain. The filter is situated in the back right hand corner of the tank in an easy to disguise box and the there's a slot to slide the heater inside it too so you don't get to try and disguise that. The box is glued to the glass with silicone so is removeable if needed.

I'm not trying to sway your decision, I'm just sharing my experience of getting a new tank as I know it can be confusing when there's so much out there.

If you have any questions regarding the Juwel feel free to ask - I'll do my best to answer you.

Good luck
Akasha

Thanks for the tips, i was actually going to get a much smaller tank but i know i'll want a bigger one soon enough so i might aswell get a big one from the offset which will fit in perfectly into the empty space, i've still got alot of reading to do/watching videos on youtube etc There are a couple of pet shows around here so i'll definitely give them a visit aswell.

 

[sadguppy]

I am glad we have swayed you towards getting a nice big tank, you won't regret it particularly if you go with the fluval roma - well scaped and with the right inhabitants it is absolutely stunning.