Saving For A New Tank - Your Thoughts Please

[Akasha72]

Hi all,
 
I decided a while ago now to start saving for a brand new tank. The reason being that my last two large tanks (Juwel Rio 180 and Juwel Rio 240) have been 2nd hand and now I feel like treating myself. Also, with a 2nd hand tank comes the problem of what the previous owner may have done, whether that be scratches to the glass, less than basic maintenance or even adding things that could potentially harm fish. In short, you sometimes just don't know what you are getting.
 
So, I thought I was sold on another Juwel - and I am still leaning toward a Juwel that much I'll admit but with a Juwel comes the possibility of the brace bar problem.
 
If I go down the Juwel route I'd be looking to down size back to a 180 but we know the 180 has had an issue with it's brace bar and I can't face that problem of waiting for it to possibly fail. I have no idea if this problem has been addressed with the newer models so if anyone know's then that would be useful info for me to have.
 
Meanwhile I'm considering looking at other brands but as I know nothing about the other brands I thought it was a good idea to ask you guys here.
 
Please be aware I am in the U.K so the brand must be available to buy here
 
Thanks is advance

 

[NickAu]

Have you considered a custom make by a glass maker/ tank maker. You may find you get more tank for your money.
 
Now I know this is in Australia ,  Have a look at the prices and you can add stuff like star fire glass.
http/www.aquariumsrus.com.au/pricep.htm
 
Im sure you could find something similar near you, And most of these places will do a custom size, Its worth looking into. Why pay extra for a brand name if you dont have to.
 
I paid $130 AUD for a 20 LT Aquael Cube, With Light heater and powerhead filter in the box.
https/www.livefish.com.au/aquael-shrimp-set-20.html
A local guy who makes tanks sells them for $35 bucks and I could have got the rest of the stuff cheaper on ebay.

 

[Akasha72]

Hi Nick, I know our local Maidenhead Aquatics have custom made tanks and the cabinets are a work of art on some of them but they come with a hefty price tag. It is something that's run through my mind and next time I visit them I will pay a bit more attention to the custom-made tanks that they have on view.
 
There are many things that I like about Juwel - I like their internal filter and the heater hidden away all neat and tidy. The build quality is generally very good too but this brace bar problem has me worried. 
If I get to move out of this flat into a larger place then buying another Rio 240 becomes an option and the bar issue goes away. But seen as moving to somewhere larger doesn't seem to be an option any time soon then I need to consider space and the Rio 180 was a neat tank for the size of my room. 

 

[Vethian]

if the brace bar is questionable, replace it.  

 
what about make your own acrylic tank?
 
[youtube]https/www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSKIT2OLOYQ[/youtube]

 

[Akasha72]

good idea Vethian but I'm not that good at DIY!! Plus if I'm lashing out hundreds of pounds on a new tank and cabinet then I'm not planning on 'modifying' it!

 

[Ch4rlie]

There are are least one custom tank maker i know of in UK, they are actually pretty good and do provide a cabinet if required, of course at a cost. But then you would have a different to anyone else's.
 
I have personally called them up in the past askign for a quote for a 15 gal tank made to my specs, and was a very reasonable £45 actually, though delivery is at £25 or £35 can't remember which, so that was £70 to £80 for a brand new custom tank.
 
http/ndaquatics.co.uk/
 
The online prices are quite high but do call them up, and ask for a quote for a size you'd like. Very professional and polite I found them to be.
 
In the end I bought a brand new tank the guy had in garage and forgot about, from ebay, £6.50 for a 25 gal long, can't argue with that! lol
 
As for hiding heaters, Hydor inline heater is a good solution. External filter of course does the job and only the intake and spraybar in the tank

 
The only two brands of tanks I have owned are Clearseal and Juwel tanks, Roma 90 and a Trigon 350, i liked both and all my fish really thrived in them, though I did take out the internal filters as they were too bulky for my liking and added externals instead, they were very good tanks I have to say.

 

[Akasha72]

Hi Ch4rlie, thanks for that link, I'll have a look in a mo. 
 
If I go down the line of Juwel I'll keep the internal filter in the tank. I had an issue with one of externals today and it made me stop and think. If either of these filters fail I not only flood my own flat but I flood the flat downstairs too (not that that bothers me cos he's an AH anyway) but it's not something I ever want to have to face. 
 
As for a heater. I already have a hydor external on my external filter. I like not having to look at a heater but when it comes to setting the temp on it it's a bit of a nightmare to get to being behind the tank.
 
I do like Juwel tanks ... it's just this darn brace bar that's worrying me.