Not sure where this should go, but I figured someone out there maybe looking for information on beginner starter tanks. This is just my own impression on it.
Juwel RIO 125.
standard equipment include their Bioflow M filter, Aqua Heat 100W heater and 2x28W lighting unit.
The tank itself is 81x36x50cm, weighs 23kg and comes in 4 different colours.
Quality is very good and there is the option of buying their tank specific cabinet in matching colour.
Base of tank has metal frame support around the edge and through the middle, so the glass is not sitting on the surface.
Bioflow M filter sits on the right side at the back, its a massive black filter. dimension approx 40x10x10cm. There is a gap at the bottom (1-2cm) to prevent stagnant water (I assume) but my main concern is a stuck fish. (I'm planning on using gravel to fill it in, still allows for water to pass but no fish.)
The heater sits inside the filter box in its own compartment. SImple temperature setting, no digital readout, seems accurate, I set it to 27C and the reading from the Juwel digital thermometer shows 27.5C.
Water filtration is via 6 stages with water flowing downwards before being pulled back up and out through the jet nozzle on the side.
First holder contains:
1st stage 3x poly pad for debris, leaves etc
2nd stage carbon sponge-chemical
3rd stage Nitrax sponge- biological
4th stage Coarse sponge
Second holder contains:
5th stage Cirax box-Organic filter OR you can switch it out for Phorax a phosphate filter
6th stage 2x fine sponges
The jet nozzle is a simple angled attachment with a rubber ring which slots into the side of the filter unit.
There is the option to buy the Aerator attachment BUT the size is smaller, I have no idea why but what it means is, you have to use the rubber ring to hold it in place and the tinniest adjustment will cause the water jet to shoot the Aerator off the filter, pretty annoying. Took me 5 mins to get it to stay in place. Once it is on, the aeration looks good, lots of tiny bubbles but noisy. Normal attachment is quiet.
Juwel digital themometer-no battery included. Clear and easy to read. Designed to be used inside tank via a suction cup BUT the design is strange, its angled away from the glass, maybe to allow water to flow all around it?? It looks like its about to fall off but thats just the design.
The cover for the tank is designed around the lighting unit. 2 flaps front and back with the light unit sitting across the tank.
With the aerator, the light unit and flaps will get covered with water, I hope the light unit is really waterproofed.
The lighting unit itself sits rather precariously on the side edges of the tank. Its size does not exactly match the tank's length giving a 5mm movement.. Pushing the unit to one side leaves the other with only 1mm of support.
I will be doing some DIY attaching a small L shape bracket to both sides of the light unit to prevent any chance of the unit falling into the tank.
The back flap has a hole for feeding. Front flap has a slot for the Juwel automatic feeder, nice feature.
The light unit cannot be pushed all the way to rear of the tank due to a support beam in the middle of the tank. This beam CANNOT be used for moving or carrying the tank, I think its there in case the light unit drops but I dont see how it can stop the unit sliding into the water.
Any large water change, placing items inside tank, general cleaning via a scrapper and filter maintenance will require the removal of the light unit and flaps.
If you do not stick a background to the tank, the light unit cable will be visible.
Overall, happy,
only had the tank for 5 days so far, just waiting for my cycling to start.
Juwel RIO 125.
standard equipment include their Bioflow M filter, Aqua Heat 100W heater and 2x28W lighting unit.
The tank itself is 81x36x50cm, weighs 23kg and comes in 4 different colours.
Quality is very good and there is the option of buying their tank specific cabinet in matching colour.
Base of tank has metal frame support around the edge and through the middle, so the glass is not sitting on the surface.
Bioflow M filter sits on the right side at the back, its a massive black filter. dimension approx 40x10x10cm. There is a gap at the bottom (1-2cm) to prevent stagnant water (I assume) but my main concern is a stuck fish. (I'm planning on using gravel to fill it in, still allows for water to pass but no fish.)
The heater sits inside the filter box in its own compartment. SImple temperature setting, no digital readout, seems accurate, I set it to 27C and the reading from the Juwel digital thermometer shows 27.5C.
Water filtration is via 6 stages with water flowing downwards before being pulled back up and out through the jet nozzle on the side.
First holder contains:
1st stage 3x poly pad for debris, leaves etc
2nd stage carbon sponge-chemical
3rd stage Nitrax sponge- biological
4th stage Coarse sponge
Second holder contains:
5th stage Cirax box-Organic filter OR you can switch it out for Phorax a phosphate filter
6th stage 2x fine sponges
The jet nozzle is a simple angled attachment with a rubber ring which slots into the side of the filter unit.
There is the option to buy the Aerator attachment BUT the size is smaller, I have no idea why but what it means is, you have to use the rubber ring to hold it in place and the tinniest adjustment will cause the water jet to shoot the Aerator off the filter, pretty annoying. Took me 5 mins to get it to stay in place. Once it is on, the aeration looks good, lots of tiny bubbles but noisy. Normal attachment is quiet.
Juwel digital themometer-no battery included. Clear and easy to read. Designed to be used inside tank via a suction cup BUT the design is strange, its angled away from the glass, maybe to allow water to flow all around it?? It looks like its about to fall off but thats just the design.
The cover for the tank is designed around the lighting unit. 2 flaps front and back with the light unit sitting across the tank.
With the aerator, the light unit and flaps will get covered with water, I hope the light unit is really waterproofed.
The lighting unit itself sits rather precariously on the side edges of the tank. Its size does not exactly match the tank's length giving a 5mm movement.. Pushing the unit to one side leaves the other with only 1mm of support.
I will be doing some DIY attaching a small L shape bracket to both sides of the light unit to prevent any chance of the unit falling into the tank.
The back flap has a hole for feeding. Front flap has a slot for the Juwel automatic feeder, nice feature.
The light unit cannot be pushed all the way to rear of the tank due to a support beam in the middle of the tank. This beam CANNOT be used for moving or carrying the tank, I think its there in case the light unit drops but I dont see how it can stop the unit sliding into the water.
Any large water change, placing items inside tank, general cleaning via a scrapper and filter maintenance will require the removal of the light unit and flaps.
If you do not stick a background to the tank, the light unit cable will be visible.
Overall, happy,
only had the tank for 5 days so far, just waiting for my cycling to start. 
... The main purpose is to support the structure of the tank so the glass doesn't bow with the weight of the water and in turn doesn't damage the sealant... then you wont end up with water all over the floor.
