PlanetCatfish.com

Hiya,
I have just had to break down my Roma 200 tank due to it having developed some condensation drips at the outside corners. It seems that there is a manufactoring fault with this model of tank.
I have been offered a replacement tank, or my money back.
I wonder if any of you could help me out by recommending a make and model of tank that you use and find good.
I need to get this new tank sorted out asap, as my fish are now all gramped into my breeding tanks, which is less that ideal.
With this is mind, I an looking at an off the shelf set up, 200/400 litres, with a lighting unit in the hood.
Any suggestions would be a great help.

happy days,
Bigpig

I can't really recommend a brand available in the UK since we often have different brands available in the USA.
However, there is one thing I can recommend doing to most atypical all glass aquariums and even the more standard models.
Many manufacturers are lax about the seal between the top frame and the glass. Before you set them up, it is often a good idea to buy aquarium silicone sealant and seal along the inside joint between the top frame and glass sides. Many lack a good seal and capillary action or condensation sometimes finds a way through a poor seal and causes a trickle over the sides and if not a wet mess at least a stubborn mineral deposit may build up on the outside face of a glass side panel.

I am quite pleased with my Juwel RIO400. It has been running for about 4.5 years now. I've replaced the heater and the internal filter and the top flaps (flaps are a stupid design, the end-tabs that hold it up break off). New ones come with 4x T5 lights.

To be honest tho', if you have the possibility to get a custom made system with a sump-system underneath, I'd definitely go for that solution!

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Mats

Hi

We have 2 tanks. I have a bow fronted Juwel RIO450 which I've had for about 3 years now and my missus has me old Juwel RIO120 which I brought nearly 6 years ago now and we've never had any problems with either. I would question the strength of the filtering system on the 450 hence why I also have a separate Eheim filter on it running with the standard Juwel one.

Anyway, no complaints about the tanks at all.

HTH

Dave

Hiya,
Thank you all for those replies.
Larry really good call;
quote: "Many manufacturers are lax about the seal between the top frame and the glass. Before you set them up, it is often a good idea to buy aquarium silicone sealant and seal along the inside joint between the top frame and glass sides. Many lack a good seal and capillary action or condensation sometimes finds a way through a poor seal and causes a trickle over the sides and if not a wet mess at least a stubborn mineral deposit may build up on the outside face of a glass side panel".

This is exactly what has happened with this tank.
If fact they replaced it twice, so thats three Roma 200s all with the same problem!
I will go and have a look at this tank to see if I can do a better job of sealing it my self.

Matt. I would love to get a custom made set up, but I am really pressed for time to get this tank sorted out. I am away on holiday in 3 weeks and want the fish out of my breeding tank and into more space before then.

Dave. I am considering Juwel. I dont really like the internal filters in them, and I have a couple of big externals for this tank. I am off to the Lfs to see what I can sort out.

thanks again,
bigpig

Whilst internal filters are never as good as a good external filter, I think the Juwel internal filter is the only one that comes reasonably close to the capacity and functionality of an external filter - it's the same basic principle and of a similar filter volume as a Eheim 2217.

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Mats

MatsP wrote:I am quite pleased with my Juwel RIO400. It has been running for about 4.5 years now. I've replaced the heater and the internal filter and the top flaps (flaps are a stupid design, the end-tabs that hold it up break off). New ones come with 4x T5 lights.

To be honest tho', if you have the possibility to get a custom made system with a sump-system underneath, I'd definitely go for that solution!

--
Mats

Mats, In what way, or with what did you replace the Top Flaps ?

Phyllonemus wrote:Mats, In what way, or with what did you replace the Top Flaps ?

I just asked the shop to get me a new set - it took some time, but I got them eventually. They weren't exactly cheap, but it's hard to come up with another solution that works.

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Mats

I've seen once someone had removed de flaps and TL Unit.
and placed a glass plate instead. for lighting was used a pending lamp with a Truelight bulb.

Phyllonemus wrote:I've seen once someone had removed de flaps and TL Unit.
and placed a glass plate instead. for lighting was used a pending lamp with a Truelight bulb.

Sure, that can be done.

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Mats

I have got my tank problem sorted. My lfs made me a great deal on a Juwel Rio 240 tank. This will do me until I have time to get a custom built tank made, and then the Juwel will go onto my breeding shelves.
I get it tomorrow so I am excited about setting it up.
thanks for your replies.
happy days,
Bigpig

Hi,

we also have the Juwel Rio 240L (I also just bought the Juwel Lido 120!) and we're very happy with it. The Flaps on top are made of Forex (a compressed foam plastic) and are very flexible. We also recently had the older model of the Rio 240L going in the cellar with the old flaps with broken-off bits - Juwel have really improved on them! We also use an Eheim external filter - it's a lot stronger and I can definitely recommend this combi!

Kiera