Which Tank To Buy?

[NumbUK]

Ok, so this isn't exactly my first tank.

But as the first tank was doomed from the start, lets just pretend this is my first attempt to join you fellow aquarists .

I've read up that often the bigger the tank, the better for beginners.

I assume this is due to any mistake being made will be not as lethal to fish because of higher water volumes. Anyways, onto the questions...

I found what looks to be a good website, which I won't link because I don't want to advertise and break any forum rules.

The current budget could allow me to get one of the two following tanks:

Fluval Roma 90 - 90l - 60cm(l)x35cm(d)x45cm(h) Comes with : Fluval U2 internal filter, Tronic Heater 100 Watt, Fluval GLO lighting (1x15Watt PowerGLO & AquaGLO)

Fluval Roma 125 - 125l - 80cm(l)x35cm(d)x45cm(h) Comes with: Fluval U3 internal filter, Tronic Heater 150 Watt, Fluval GLO lighting (1x20Watt PowerGLO & AquaGLO)

All this stuff also comes with a free stand, gravel, gravel cleaner, net, flake food, and some cycling/water conditioners.

Which tank would you recommend to buy for a beginner?

Also, do these set-ups look like they would work? I.e. Are the filters/heaters powerful enough? Or would I need to purchase additional equipment?

Thanks for any help,

NumbUK

 

[ZoddyZod]

I've got the Fluval 125L with that filter and heater as well (in fact, it looks like I got EXACTLY the same kit as you listed). Filter does a good job and is pretty simple to clean. I'd say it was a good start point and the bigger the tank the better.....gives you more choice on the fish you can keep.

If you want to have plants though you might need to invest in an additional or replacement external filter as you will need greater 'flow' (10x the tank volume per hour). Also an additional or replacement external will allow a higher fish stock as it will process more waste (the main reason I got mine).

Anyway, to start with I dont think you can go far wrong with that package!

 

[awilson360]

Ok, so this isn't exactly my first tank.

But as the first tank was doomed from the start, lets just pretend this is my first attempt to join you fellow aquarists .

I've read up that often the bigger the tank, the better for beginners.

I assume this is due to any mistake being made will be not as lethal to fish because of higher water volumes. Anyways, onto the questions...

I found what looks to be a good website, which I won't link because I don't want to advertise and break any forum rules.

The current budget could allow me to get one of the two following tanks:

Fluval Roma 90 - 90l - 60cm(l)x35cm(d)x45cm(h) Comes with : Fluval U2 internal filter, Tronic Heater 100 Watt, Fluval GLO lighting (1x15Watt PowerGLO & AquaGLO)

Fluval Roma 125 - 125l - 80cm(l)x35cm(d)x45cm(h) Comes with: Fluval U3 internal filter, Tronic Heater 150 Watt, Fluval GLO lighting (1x20Watt PowerGLO & AquaGLO)

All this stuff also comes with a free stand, gravel, gravel cleaner, net, flake food, and some cycling/water conditioners.

Which tank would you recommend to buy for a beginner?

Also, do these set-ups look like they would work? I.e. Are the filters/heaters powerful enough? Or would I need to purchase additional equipment?

Thanks for any help,

NumbUK

Hey,

I have got the U2 in a 90l aquarium running on its own with 2 messy goldfish for about 2 and a half months and its working great. Might want to take the carbon pads out before you get it so you can use them later on to remove meds. I forgot and left mine in and they are still in there but they are probably housing loads of bacteria so I don't really want to remove them now

As for the rest of the equipment it all looks spot on! You might want to buy an API Freshwater Test Kit to use whilst cycling.

Good Luck,

AW

 

[NumbUK]

Yeah, after a good amount of reading its safe to say a decent water testing kit is needed, so i won't be getting any cheap paper tab things.

Would I need an air pump or anything else? To oxygenate the water?

And should I use a second filter from the start and run them simultaneously? Or just when my original filter can't cope when my stocking level gets higher?

Thanks,

NumbUK

 

[Carlovel1]

Id recommend you get the Roma 90. You would need to buy aditional filter , maybe an air pump, for both tanks and if you go for a planted tank, youd need to buy co2 equipment and other stuff.90L is a good place to start , after a while you could upgrade to a larger tank.But thats my opinion

 

[Carlovel1]

Yeah, after a good amount of reading its safe to say a decent water testing kit is needed, so i won't be getting any cheap paper tab things.

Would I need an air pump or anything else? To oxygenate the water?

And should I use a second filter from the start and run them simultaneously? Or just when my original filter can't cope when my stocking level gets higher?

Thanks,

NumbUK

Depending if you are going to keep plecos or corydoras or other fish which require highly oxygenated water, than you would have to buy an air pump.
The Fluval filter included with the aquarium will need upgrading to an external one eventually. Its up to you whether you run both filters at the same time.

 

[ZoddyZod]

Would I need an air pump or anything else? To oxygenate the water?

And should I use a second filter from the start and run them simultaneously? Or just when my original filter can't cope when my stocking level gets higher?

Thanks,

NumbUK

airpumps dont really oxygenate the water that well, surface agitation is the main way of transfering oxygen into the water column. As long as your filter is 'rippling' the surface then you should have no issues.

I would start off with the one filter. You may find that is all you need and you dont want to fork our cash on a second one until you are sure.

The Fluval filter included with the aquarium will need upgrading to an external one eventually. Its up to you whether you run both filters at the same time.

I would disagree. The U3 is adequate for that size tank and will be fine if you dont go mad and cram fish in. An additional external is really only needed if you go a bit overstocked or if you want plants and need the additional flow.

 

[Mo1959]

Hi. I have the Roma 125 and am very pleased with it. The internal filter is plenty powerful enough and has a little venturi valve that you can adjust to expel air towards the surface which gives plenty surface agitation plus some bubbles. I got mine from Seapets..........may be the deal you mention as I also got gravel, net, food, water treatment etc. It would be a shame to go for the smaller one the just months down the line wish you had got the larger one.

Maureen

 

[NumbUK]

Yeah, Im planning on a nice community tank in the living room, and looking at the dimensions of where it will go, the 125 looks like a good fit.

Don't think I'll be going for plants just yet, have to get the whole 'fish staying alive' thing first and foremost .

Time to read up on my cycling and deciding what fish Im gonna stock .

Thanks for the advice everyone, its much appreciated.

 

[Gvilleguy]

Yeah, Im planning on a nice community tank in the living room, and looking at the dimensions of where it will go, the 125 looks like a good fit.

Don't think I'll be going for plants just yet, have to get the whole 'fish staying alive' thing first and foremost .

Time to read up on my cycling and deciding what fish Im gonna stock .

Thanks for the advice everyone, its much appreciated.

I wish I had researched plant requirements before I bought my tank. I, too, just went artificial at first to keep it simple. Then upon researching light requirements for plants I realized my kit tank hood is woefully inadequate for most live plants, and not easily upgradeable without getting a new hood. Just something to keep in mind.

 

[craig855s]

Buy used, you will be able to get a much larger tank and still have change in your pocket than if you were to buy from a shop.