Your current Fish tank Setups!

[b0rn2sk8]

This or the 306?
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Eheim-2036...eywords=Ehiem&qid=1555201338&s=gateway&sr=8-1

There are pro's and cons between the two.

The Fluval can hold more media (more flexible), has a higher flow rate. Some say they are noisy, others say they aren't. Its not as high quality particularly the hoses, inlet and outlet but its not by any means bad quality and is far better than a re-branded Chinese designed filter. Due to the hosing, inlet and outlet design the Fluval is more flexible when it comes to fitting it on different tanks. The pipes are large so you may need to trim your hood, I can to trim my Juwel tanks hood for it to fit.

The Ehiem is smaller and can hold less media, its also a bit low on the flow rate. Its 3.75x tank volume, its a tad below 4x which is what you would normally aim for in a non planted tank but I think it will be fine. It has better quality parts over the Fluval, but the inlet and outlet are fixed and not adjustable. You may have issues with the outlet if your tank has a tall rim where there is a large space between where the pipes hook on and the waterline. If you don't like the green hoses/inlet/outlet that can also be a problem.

They will both do the job at the end of the day, Nasher and I just recommend something more expensive because they are better designs, high quality or both. You get what you pay for at the end of the day. As I mentioned earlier, I own a Fluval 306 but if it broke I wouldn't buy another and I would spend the extra on the Oase.

 

[b0rn2sk8]

Also, I live in Wales, i literally have an abundance of rivers, waterfalls and lakes. I go hiking loads with the kids, have seen tons of driftwood, partically the roots. Can i use this? Can i treat it myself and use in my tank?

Any guides?

Yes, you just want to make sure the wood isn't going to rot quickly, hard woods are better. You also want to ensure it is pest free. When you are using any natural products there are always risks of contaminants, even from parts that you buy from the fish store. But you can mitigate this thoroughly washing, soaking, boiling (if small enough) the pieces.

Stones are fine as long as they don't have crazy high calcium content, you can test them with vinegar or lemon juice and they will fizz due to the acid alkaline reaction. If you have hard water you can use rocks with higher calcium content because the water is already hard and the rocks will not have much of an effect on the PH if any. Again, rinse them thoroughly before using and don't boil rocks.

Weve been wanting to get a fish tank for a little while now so Im keepin an eye on gumtree and the likes
220L too big for a starter tank?

Don't want the bother of changing when we decide the tank isn't bit enough and want a larger one.
I've found one that I should be able to get for about 50 quid

can anyone recommend a pump/filter for around this size?

The bigger the better for a starter tank, smaller tanks are actually harder to keep due to small water volume. A small mistake like dropping in too much food can have devistating effects when you are only dealing with 20-30L. When you have 200L its much less of an issue.

Filter wise you want to be targeting a 4X turnover of the water per hour, so a 220L tank needs roughly 900L/hour flow rate. As with the last few posts on filters Oase and Ehiem make the best but they are the most expensive, you get what you pay for at the end of the day. As above a Fluval 306 / 307 or 406 / 407 will do the job, but they are lower quality, I would buy one from the Oase Biomaster range.

If you are going tropical you will also need a 300W heater and some lights if it doesn't come with one. You'll need some water conditioner, Seachem Prime is mostly regarded as the best, it's also very good value due to how concentrated it is. I use Seachem Safe which is a powdered version which is even better value.

 

[Spook187]

Those Oase Biomaster range trays look full of rubbish filter media I would change all of that proper media if I was to use that.

 

[Mr.Cookie]

Anyone recommend a decent magnetic glass cleaner, glass is 10mm.

And a photo

 

[Spook187]

Anyone recommend a decent magnetic glass cleaner, glass is 10mm.

And a photo

I use Tunze long/strong on my reefer.

 

[NoobCannon]

Anyone recommend a decent magnetic glass cleaner, glass is 10mm.

And a photo

Flipper

 

[Mr.Cookie]

@Spook187 thanks I'll check that out.

@NoobCannon I've used one before and it struggled, have they've improved in last 5 years?

 

[Unicorn]

+1 Tunze, i use the nano but with the metal blade off the long Its truly unbeatable i need to get a second one for my xl cube freshwater which is 12mm glass

 

[NoobCannon]

@Spook187 thanks I'll check that out.

@NoobCannon I've used one before and it struggled, have they've improved in last 5 years?

Mines been fine on my reefer 250 and they have extra thick front glass. The “flipp” function is also incredibley usefull.

Edit also see if you can get yourself a sea hare, will demolish that hair algae in your pic, lots of lfs “rent” them out, i.e you pay full price and on live return you get 80% money back.

Works well for both party's as they get a constant feed, are very hard to keep alive otherwise.

 

[MassiveJim]

Looking for recommendations for artificial plants (fish rip up real ones within a week )
Is there a particular brand to go for ?
or just find silk ones that I like the look of ?


I have recently finished an upgrade on my 5ft Juwel tank (added weir and sump, with a new stand I built myself) and currently have only gravel and 4 large pieces of bogwood.
I am using the Juwel background (plant one).


I am useless with names of plants/types etc, I don't really know what goes well together either, any help here would be appreciated.
Picture of tank below, it has changed slightly, I have handles on the doors now and I moved some of the bogwood/ornaments slightly

 

[[TFU] Thegoon84]

Purchased the 306. Job done, Mrs tamping when she got the email confirmation.... Fs given... ZEROO haha.

Thinking of getting this too:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07BB646TG/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A2DG7YO6PW60NF&psc=1

Noise seems to be the main issue, which doesn't matter as its in my man cave in the part of house that doesn't effect the rest.

 

[NoobCannon]

Purchased the 306. Job done, Mrs tamping when she got the email confirmation.... Fs given... ZEROO haha.

Thinking of getting this too:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07BB646TG/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A2DG7YO6PW60NF&psc=1

Noise seems to be the main issue, which doesn't matter as its in my man cave in the part of house that doesn't effect the rest.

You dont need an internal and external filter on the same tank assuming “the 306” means a fluval filter.

 

[rebel rebel]

I've decided to get another tank now. And just have mainly SPS, so there's not loads of fish to feed when I go in hospital.

 

[NoobCannon]

I've decided to get another tank now. And just have mainly SPS, so there's not loads of fish to feed when I go in hospital.

Sps will be loads more work to ensure right water conditions etc tho! (From my limited experience with sps) you would actually be better off with a fish only/easy coral i.e zoas etc and just stick it on an auto feeder!

But am sure you know what your doing

 

[rebel rebel]

Sps will be loads more work to ensure right water conditions etc tho! (From my limited experience with sps) you would actually be better off with a fish only/easy coral i.e zoas etc and just stick it on an auto feeder!

But am sure you know what your doing

It should be ok once its set up, water changes are gonna be the biggest hurdle. I could get around that by going for the Triton method, I'll have to have a read up on it. A big fish dying whilst I'm in hospital is the biggest problem, if it's not dealt with it could take everything with it.

 

[Spook187]

I've decided to get another tank now. And just have mainly SPS, so there's not loads of fish to feed when I go in hospital.

Just put a SPS colony into my tank tonight, half expecting it to be bleached in the morning lol.

 

[NoobCannon]

It should be ok once its set up, water changes are gonna be the biggest hurdle. I could get around that by going for the Triton method, I'll have to have a read up on it. A big fish dying whilst I'm in hospital is the biggest problem, if it's not dealt with it could take everything with it.

Am assuming you live somewhere near aac as you mentioned it before? If so your pretty local to me if you needed an occasional check on a tank whilst your in hospital!

Alternatively what i do whilst on holiday is to set up an ip camera on a stand infront of the tank, leave the stand open and move temp displays etc into view of the camera temporarily. Its easy to check and count fish (after all you pay a fortune for fish so know exactly what you have so can see if anything missing) and have someone on standby to pop over and take care of any problems that you spot

 

[rebel rebel]

Just put a SPS colony into my tank tonight, half expecting it to be bleached in the morning lol.

Hopefully it'll be fine, what did you get? I'm gonna stick with frags and man made live rock, as my last tank got over run with beasties.

Am assuming you live somewhere near aac as you mentioned it before? If so your pretty local to me if you needed an occasional check on a tank whilst your in hospital!

Alternatively what i do whilst on holiday is to set up an ip camera on a stand infront of the tank, leave the stand open and move temp displays etc into view of the camera temporarily. Its easy to check and count fish (after all you pay a fortune for fish so know exactly what you have so can see if anything missing) and have someone on standby to pop over and take care of any problems that you spot

That's an amazing offer mate, but I'm in Southend and that's too far. I will probably set up a camera. When you get the call for a transplant you have to leave immediately. So it would have to be something that's permanently in place rather than something I have to bring out in a rush.

 

[NoobCannon]

Hopefully it'll be fine, what did you get? I'm gonna stick with frags and man made live rock, as my last tank got over run with beasties.



That's an amazing offer mate, but I'm in Southend and that's too far. I will probably set up a camera. When you get the call for a transplant you have to leave immediately. So it would have to be something that's permanently in place rather than something I have to bring out in a rush.

I work in and around basildon (infact i cover the entire essex county) but my office is in basildon so if you need a quick check one day the offers there. Anything to help a fellow reefer!

Also as an fyi this is a newer version of the camera i use its perfect as can be panned/tilted and rotates 360 degrees from the app on your phone, also the tanks bright lights dont seem to affect it like it does to other cameras ive tried.

Vstarcam C26S 1080P IR10m Indoor pnp Audio Record wifi Security surveillance IP Pan/Tilt camera https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B078JS7BLC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_0j5TCb0BD8S5P

 

[rebel rebel]

I work in and around basildon (infact i cover the entire essex county) but my office is in basildon so if you need a quick check one day the offers there. Anything to help a fellow reefer!

Also as an fyi this is a newer version of the camera i use its perfect as can be panned/tilted and rotates 360 degrees from the app on your phone, also the tanks bright lights dont seem to affect it like it does to other cameras ive tried.

Ahh man that would be so cool of you. What a help that would be!! I will let you know next time I'm going AAC and we could have a chat then.

That camera looks perfect for the job.