Tank Upgrade

[Naringlo]

So I'm looking to upgrade my tank to something bigger. I may even go marine or marine after a while of using the new one as a tropical tank. Anyway, I have a 120l at the moment and I will sell that if I get a new one. I was looking at the Aqua One AquaStyle 980 (215l and proper lighting!). Would this be a good jump? Obviously if I can get my hands on a second hand 300l I'll definitely go for that. But I don't live near most places so it's a rare chance.

For some more info, I would probably keep discus or cichlids, but most likely discus. How many could I keep in a 215l? 47x98x60cm.

My LFS are fairly cheap and the AquaOne tank I mentioned is a good price there. Its probably the most affordable and big tank there.

I'm also looking into Juwel tanks too.

 

[ZoddyZod]

so is the question here "should I move from a 120L to a 215L"?

if so......urrrm, yes!

 

[KittyKat]

So I'm looking to upgrade my tank to something bigger. I may even go marine or marine after a while of using the new one as a tropical tank. Anyway, I have a 120l at the moment and I will sell that if I get a new one. I was looking at the Aqua One AquaStyle 980 (215l and proper lighting!). Would this be a good jump? Obviously if I can get my hands on a second hand 300l I'll definitely go for that. But I don't live near most places so it's a rare chance.

I used to have two of these tanks, one I used for a community and the other for Rift Lake cichlids. As a tank, it is nice and a good hobbyist "community" tank, although for heavier stocking, I upgraded the filters to externals. If you are serious about good fishkeeping, then I actually advise you against it because of the dimensions: it's a pretty short tank for the volume, which basically means that you're limited to similar stocking as with a 100 litre tank. Before the AquaStyle 980, my "big tank" was a 4 ft 100 litre, which actually took a larger variety of fish and was easier to maintain. Between a free second hand tank and 100 GBP lighting, with about 30 GBP of filters, the unbranded 4 ft was a much better deal than the 3 ft, 400 GBP AquaStyle. On the other hand, I picked up my second AquaStyle 980 for 110 GBP second hand in mint condition, which was a good deal.
Basically, I am recommending that you go to a 4 ft tank (regardless of the volume) instead of a 3 ft. For similar sort of money, the Rio 240 is a much better deal and comes with a nicer filter.

For some more info, I would probably keep discus or cichlids, but most likely discus. How many could I keep in a 215l? 47x98x60cm.

Please, please do not put discus in that tank. It is not anywhere close to being big enough! In terms of hight, it is pretty much there, but in terms of length, it is by far much too short Again, because of the length of the tank, the biggest cichlids I would put in would be SA dwarfs which max out at 4" TL (so, not discus or angels). I have kept 1m 1f blue rams and 1m 3f Apisto. cacatuoides in that tank at the same time, but that's pretty much all the bottom area used up.

If you really want discus, then as someone who relatively recently started keeping discus after about 10 years of waiting to be able to get the right tank, I can 100% say that I am glad that I waited for a larger tank. I recommend that you try for at least a 4*2*2 ft, and ideally for a 6+*2*2 ft tank, and go for a group of at leasts 6. They are absolutely stunning fish and it really is amazing seeing them in a group. There is actually someone on here right now who is giving away a (I think) 5*2*2 ft tank for free, so it is possible to get really good deals on larger tanks.

 

[Naringlo]

Ah thank you, that is some great advice. So is it even possible to buy a big enough tank for marine or discus that is branded and affordable? I quite like hoods. I just don't really know how to get it all. i would like to set up my own but I get a feeling it would look tacky. So this 4fter one of yours, did you just, create it from scratch and build it up?

 

[ZoddyZod]

So is it even possible to buy a big enough tank for marine or discus that is branded and affordable? I quite like hoods. I just don't really know how to get it all. i would like to set up my own but I get a feeling it would look tacky. So this 4fter one of yours, did you just, create it from scratch and build it up?

if money is a concern, look for second-hand bargains.

I got mine (my profile pic) for £155 on eBay. It's a Fluval Osaka 320

 

[KittyKat]

Ah thank you, that is some great advice. So is it even possible to buy a big enough tank for marine or discus that is branded and affordable? I quite like hoods. I just don't really know how to get it all. i would like to set up my own but I get a feeling it would look tacky. So this 4fter one of yours, did you just, create it from scratch and build it up?

If you want an affordable branded tank, look for a second hand one.
The old 4 fter was a shop bought "Rio" one (probably not Juwel) that had gerbils living in it for about 20 years before I got my hands on it: my friend's mum used to breed them for some pocket money when she was at uni and eventually stopped keeping them, so wasn't using the tank and wanted it gone. I had it sitting on a very wide windowsill with an acrylic cover glass (my dad cut it to size) and an Arcadia "luminaire" over the top of it. I'm not very good at DIY stuff, so my latest custom built tank came from ND Aquatics, and it is very nice, even if I do say so myself.

I have had lots of second hand tanks and have never had a problem with them.

 

[The Taffy Apple]

Ah thank you, that is some great advice. So is it even possible to buy a big enough tank for marine or discus that is branded and affordable? I quite like hoods. I just don't really know how to get it all. i would like to set up my own but I get a feeling it would look tacky. So this 4fter one of yours, did you just, create it from scratch and build it up?

If you want an affordable branded tank, look for a second hand one.
The old 4 fter was a shop bought "Rio" one (probably not Juwel) that had gerbils living in it for about 20 years before I got my hands on it: my friend's mum used to breed them for some pocket money when she was at uni and eventually stopped keeping them, so wasn't using the tank and wanted it gone. I had it sitting on a very wide windowsill with an acrylic cover glass (my dad cut it to size) and an Arcadia "luminaire" over the top of it. I'm not very good at DIY stuff, so my latest custom built tank came from ND Aquatics, and it is very nice, even if I do say so myself.

I have had lots of second hand tanks and have never had a problem with them.

http/compare.ebay.co.uk/like/250888930934?ltyp=AllFixedPriceItemTypes&clk_rvr_id=327282976345&crlp=1_262531_281231&UA=%3F*I%3F&GUID=449918ac1350a0aa17258005ff87d38d&mt_id=777&query=ciao&fitem=250888930934&kw=ciao&ff4=262531_281231

Is that the correct price..? I always thought a Jewel Rio to be alot more expensive ?!?!?!
Like this one -----> http/www.seapets.co.uk/products/aquarium-supplies/aquariums/juwel/juwel-rio-aquariums/juwel-rio-240-aquarium-and-cabinet-dark-wood.html
Terry.

 

[Naringlo]

Oh I see. I never imagined I'd have a problem with a second hand, but glad to hear it. MY LFS has an old tank that I forgot to ask about, shop used so I'll look into that. Thanks guys, I'm going to go second hand!

 

[ZoddyZod]

http/compare.ebay.co.uk/like/250888930934?ltyp=AllFixedPriceItemTypes&clk_rvr_id=327282976345&crlp=1_262531_281231&UA=%3F*I%3F&GUID=449918ac1350a0aa17258005ff87d38d&mt_id=777&query=ciao&fitem=250888930934&kw=ciao&ff4=262531_281231

Is that the correct price..? I always thought a Jewel Rio to be alot more expensive ?!?!?!
Like this one -----> http/www.seapets.co.uk/products/aquarium-supplies/aquariums/juwel/juwel-rio-aquariums/juwel-rio-240-aquarium-and-cabinet-dark-wood.html
Terry.

complete the options for colour and tank size and it goes up considerably......the £150 price is probably just for the smallest stand on its own.

 

[The Taffy Apple]

http/compare.ebay.co.uk/like/250888930934?ltyp=AllFixedPriceItemTypes&clk_rvr_id=327282976345&crlp=1_262531_281231&UA=%3F*I%3F&GUID=449918ac1350a0aa17258005ff87d38d&mt_id=777&query=ciao&fitem=250888930934&kw=ciao&ff4=262531_281231

Is that the correct price..? I always thought a Jewel Rio to be alot more expensive ?!?!?!
Like this one -----> http/www.seapets.co.uk/products/aquarium-supplies/aquariums/juwel/juwel-rio-aquariums/juwel-rio-240-aquarium-and-cabinet-dark-wood.html
Terry.

complete the options for colour and tank size and it goes up considerably......the £150 price is probably just for the smallest stand on its own.

Ah, ok....nearly had my credit card in hand then...

Terry.

 

[ZoddyZod]

Ah, ok....nearly had my credit card in hand then...

Terry.

yep, me to.....those false advertising *****!

 

[mhancock]

So is it even possible to buy a big enough tank for marine or discus that is branded and affordable? I quite like hoods. I just don't really know how to get it all. i would like to set up my own but I get a feeling it would look tacky. So this 4fter one of yours, did you just, create it from scratch and build it up?

if money is a concern, look for second-hand bargains.

I got mine (my profile pic) for £155 on eBay. It's a Fluval Osaka 320

My 225l was about £100 on ebay, brand new! It is on my pic but not thebest picture. The price difference between online and LFS is huge.

 

[Naringlo]

Definitely! I'm already on the search. Thanks everyone!