New Setup, Tank And Filter Best Combo

[festo]

Hi all,
in your experience what have you found to be the best all in one tank and filter
you have bought?
also if you had a choice what tank and external filter would you buy and why,
your thoughts on the above with tanks and filters for a 30-40 gallon
come on give me some ideas.
thanks

 

[KittyKat]

I don't buy combos usually, so the best one I have had are the AquaStyle range by AquaOne. The tank is good and so is the filter, but is wasn't what I wanted from it.

So, if I was looking for a tank that size, I would buy the AquaOne 850 and an Eheim 3 or 3e. I would also really try to go for the bigger 980 tank, of course.

 

[festo]

I don't buy combos usually, so the best one I have had are the AquaStyle range by AquaOne. The tank is good and so is the filter, but is wasn't what I wanted from it.

So, if I was looking for a tank that size, I would buy the AquaOne 850 and an Eheim 3 or 3e. I would also really try to go for the bigger 980 tank, of course.

So you would have the aquaone 850 and eheim 3,
so what would you do with the trickle filter that comes with the 850?
you have said that the 2 filters will not work together,
confused!!!

 

[nurglespuss]

External fluval (any kind thats size appropriate) and a decently priced tank with built in light in hood (though, with the hood being properly removable!

 

[festo]

External fluval (any kind thats size appropriate) and a decently priced tank with built in light in hood (though, with the hood being properly removable!

Thanks
and what tank with hood and lights would you recommend?
any ideas for me,
thanks

 

[nurglespuss]

External fluval (any kind thats size appropriate) and a decently priced tank with built in light in hood (though, with the hood being properly removable!

Thanks
and what tank with hood and lights would you recommend?
any ideas for me,
thanks

Juwel aquariums are usually spot on in my book, and look pretty snazzy too!

 

[minxfishy]

Juwel tanks are IME usually the better made of the package tanks, unfortunately the filter isnt genrally the greatest, although if only going for a general community tank with no overly messy fish, they are good enough, but they do take up quite a bit of space in the tank.

So I usually buy Juwel tanks, remove the filters and put on a decent external, eheim externals being the best brand, the classic range are reasonably priced and run for years without problem.

Fluval tanks are also solidly made, the problem being with the hoods which arent so well made, more flimsy than the Juwels and the cabinets not as sturdy (this is my personal opinion btw), the larger range of Fluval tanks come with a fluval external the smaller size tanks come with the fluval internals which are pretty good for internal filters.

Aqua one tanks again are fairly sturdy tanks, the evo range coming with an external filter, the others with internal trickle filter systems, which can I found have a habit of clogging and I found them annoying with the constant trickle noise of the water re-entering the tank. But can be more trickly to fit an external too because of the hood design with the trickle system in it.

 

[nurglespuss]

Yeah I buy Juwel, and use fluval external, as I think Fluval are the best of the externals that I've had.

 

[KittyKat]

So, if I was looking for a tank that size, I would buy the AquaOne 850 and an Eheim 3 or 3e. I would also really try to go for the bigger 980 tank, of course.

So you would have the aquaone 850 and eheim 3,

Yes, that is right.

so what would you do with the trickle filter that comes with the 850?
you have said that the 2 filters will not work together,
confused!!!

I would remove the pump for the in-built filter and keep it as a spare. If that it removed, and external can be fitted instead.

The only thing I have against Jewels is the black silicone and corners I am a fan of curved/seamless corners.

 

[anon02]

I have the aqua one 980 and i like it. The lights are ok for a few plants and are fully sealed against condensation, the filter bed is massive and I like the seamless corners. The only modifications I made was to nick 2 small pieces out of the light hood to let the light and heater cables come out flush

 

[KittyKat]

I have the aqua one 980 and i like it. The lights are ok for a few plants and are fully sealed against condensation, the filter bed is massive and I like the seamless corners. The only modifications I made was to nick 2 small pieces out of the light hood to let the light and heater cables come out flush

Photo? Mine had a cutout in the filter part of the hood for the cables..

 

[anon02]

I have the aqua one 980 and i like it. The lights are ok for a few plants and are fully sealed against condensation, the filter bed is massive and I like the seamless corners. The only modifications I made was to nick 2 small pieces out of the light hood to let the light and heater cables come out flush

Photo? Mine had a cutout in the filter part of the hood for the cables..

Cant do photos
If you use the provided cut out you have to run the light cable under the filter unit which means you have to disturb the filter every time you need to do maintenance, much easier to nick out the corner with a hacksaw

 

[KittyKat]

Ah, ok!

 

[festo]

Thanks everybody,great and usefull replies,keep them coming,
its a pity i cannot buy a tank the same as the 850 and add a good external,
any ideas on a tank only that looks the same as the 850?

 

[KittyKat]

That's the only large tank which has curved corners, as far as I know. Why can't you get it?