What Tropical Tank?

[1ncubu5]

Hey, I'm not sure this is the right section to post in but here we go...

I used to have fish years ago and after buying my girlfriend a little tank I've decided to get back in to it.

I've been reading the forums and looking around, I want to spend £100-£150.

Two which caught my eye are the Juwel Rekord 120 and the Juwel Rio 125, but I was wondering if someone could tell me what makes the Rio worth £50 more, besides it holding 5 litres extra?!

Also if anyone would like to suggest any other tanks in this price range, please do!


Thanks

 

[Squid]

Can't remember the specs of these tanks, and whether the juwel filter is better in the RIO or not. You may also find that the reckord only has one lighting tube, but the RIO may come with 2.. my rio 180 comes with two. I couldn't see what the rio 125 came with, but the reckord 120 had one tube. Plants grow better with more lighting, and the fishes look good too.

In my opinion, the RIO's look slightly better, but one of the main things that made me go for a RIO over and above a reckord is the hood. The RIO hood offers a much easier way into the tank for maintenance and other things. The reckord has a smaller flap at the front, or you have to remove the whole hood. The rio has tow large flaps, one at the front, and one at the back. when both are raised, the centre bit moves back and forth to make way for better access.

Would i buy Juwel again though.. maybe, but i was not too impressed by the filter (most people remove them and put in an external filter), and the lighting tubes that come with the tank are not that great, for fish colours and plant growth.. I have just changed mine for new tubes (not light fittings) and made a huge difference to me.

Good Luck
Squid

 

[1ncubu5]

thanks for the info squid, yea I had read in various places that the tubes aren't too great... most people seem to recommend replacing them with aquapet ones.

Sadly no shops near me stock any decent tanks and the pictures online don't really help too much so I have to rely on other peoples opinions prior to ordering online.

if anyone knows of any better tanks, which are around the same size and price, please let me know

 

[1ncubu5]

also what type of substrate, plants, decor would be recommended for a tank of that size, I'm just planning on keeping relatively easy to keep tropical fish like plecos, gouramis, minnows

 

[1ncubu5]

i'm able to get a brand new fluval duo deep 800 for £100, that's like £50 cheaper than it is on most sites...

sounds like a good deal to me, anyone have experience with this tank?

 

[stang1]

i'm able to get a brand new fluval duo deep 800 for £100, that's like £50 cheaper than it is on most sites...

sounds like a good deal to me, anyone have experience with this tank?

I've got the Fluval Duo 1000 and the 800 Uno, both great tanks.

 

[mikster]

Ive got a fluval duo deep 800 and it has been great for me, filter is ok, heater is good, light are fine, even holes in the back for wires and also connecting stuff like co2 if you want it, easy enough access to the tank, doesnt look as stunning as most tanks but it does the job well enough and you can make it look good on the inside.

Heres what i did with mine

 

[1ncubu5]

cool thanks for the replies

i've come to terms that I'm not going to get a tank that is a really nice design, which is that size and that price, so I'm just after one that does the job well and can be made to look good on the inside, and from what you've said and from your picture it sounds like the fluval should do that nicely!

what sort of substrate are you using there mikster? is it a soil layer with sand on top?

 

[freerunner416]

you should look at www.rocketrading.co.uk They ship all tanks to you VERY well packed and are quick to deal with. They stock loads of tanks and you may get a bigger tank for your money.

I have had two tanks shipped out by them and apart from them getting my address wrong everything has worked really well and Tony (the guy who runs it) is helpful if you keep on his back!!

Good luck

 

[1ncubu5]

thanks, I had a look but the only tanks they really have that would suit my needs are the juwel. Unfortunately I've been put off the Juwel tanks due to the amount of people saying their filtration system is pants

 

[mikster]

When i set it up i didnt know about plant substates so i just used play sand and now i just use root tabs to fertilise crypts and swords etc, if i were you i would get a plant substrate though as root tabs work out many more times more expensive in the long run, ive used tropica plant substrate on my two new nano tanks.

 

[1ncubu5]

thanks, i'll keep that in mind.

I've noticed a lot of people saying they use playsand, is playsand just silica sand? I've also noticed people saying argos is a good place to get it!