Juwel rio 400 tank

[gazat]

HI guys / girls,

I am currently looking at buying a second hand Juwel Rio 400 tank, this tank has all the usual things that you would expect with a used tank. (heaters, air pump, filter which happens to be a external fluvel 404 one). The tank is less than a year old (apparently), can anyone tell me if it is worth having or not, and what i should look for, of course i wont have the tank until i have viewed it to make sure it is what the guy says it is.

Cheers Gaza

 

[Macquatic]

Hi gaz. Don't know much about Jewel tanks but it's a well known brand and should be of good quality. I think they have their own internal filter which I've heard is not so good regarding media use. As it's got a fluval external maybe the internal has been removed, just check that the 404 is the modified model as the earlier ones had problems with the impellar and burnt out! Check the tank for scratches and chips & all the equipment is working, then offer half the asking price! Stand well back incase the guy tries to give you a smack on the nose. :laugh: :laugh: Anyway if the gear is good it's worth haggling. Happy shopping. Mac.

 

[adeyc]

Depends if everything's working and what the price is. Take macs advice and offer half the cash. I'd want to see the pump going myself as well.

 

[Davy Reynolds]

Buy seperates. Get a tank, get a joiner to make a cheep stand, get a filter (anythings better than theres) a heater, n some lighting and you'll get a good tank. This ready made is mince :laugh:

 

[whacky]

I got a rio 240 and couldnt be happier almost. They are fine for your bog standard community tank. The filter is adequate for this use anything more and you are looking at adding something. I use a fluval 404 external.  Lighting is good unless your looking at marines with corals inverts etc.

I do use mine for marine and have read articles that say there great, never really heard a bad word about them, a lot of people say to add the extra filter like i said.

Final word they are a bout £500 new with stand etc so i wouldnt pay more than £250-£300 for one thats in top condition second hand offer him £150 and take a cam corder i could do with a laugh. I live just down the road from the uk supplier so its all well cheap round my way.

 

[gazat]

Cheers Guys,

Thanks for the advice, as the tank is supposely less than a year old i should hope that there are no scratches, chips etc, but i will give it a good check over. I have already haggled with the guy to get the price down to £250.

The guy used the tank for Discus, and did have the fish for sale as well, but i wasn't interested. So hopefully the tank will be in good condition as he says. (dont they all say that)

Anyway i'm going to view the tank on thursday and i will let you know how i get on.

Davy, by the way my dad is a carpenter/joiner, but waiting for him is like waiting forever.

Gaza T

 

[Davy Reynolds]

I know that one m8. Had a freind build a unit etc out in the hall. He fitted the unit base no problem last year. I'm still waiting on hime doinf the hood. So I started it the other night

 

[gazat]

HI Guys,

Just thought i'd let you know i picked up the Juwel Rio 400 on thursday, got in the van with 10mm to spare. The tank looks bigger every time i look at it.

Have spent this weekend cleaning the tank, filter, hoses etc. I have thrown all the filter media away as i want to start a fresh and be sure that there was no disease in the tank. Today i have completly filled, run both the internal and external filter, and emptied the tank.

I am going to set the tank up proper when i come back off my hols (18/19 August) so wish me luck.

Gaza :0

 

[Great Lakes]

Hey everyone. How big is a juwel 400 anyway? Must be a popular over the sea tank. Don't know as if I have ever seen one.

 

[Tatya]

the 400 will mean its 400 litres in volume

I've got a rio240.

 

[Great Lakes]

Gazat. For that size tank, I have seen guys shop around and get a good buy on a kitchen cabinet base. Plenty sturdy, and drawers and doors to boot.

 

[adeyc]

Was forced to pick up a "jewel" brochure today not much info in it just the range they do and what the filter does(a good diagram).

 

[Great Lakes]

Gaz, the next tropical tank I set up that is that size will have a sump. Tell you why I think a page out of marine fishkeeping is in order here.

With a 100-150 liter sump in the base cabinet, you have that much more water in your system, which means more fish.
You can also hide the heaters in the sump. Your water gets much more oxegen saturated from the velocity of it draining down a 4ft tube. And lastly, when you get a little evaporation, the level in your sump drops, not your tank.

Just an idea......

 

[wetwetwet]

Hi,

I also have a Rio 400 - nice tanks - 5'x18"x24"

If I was setting it up again or like you got a second hand one I think I'd bin the internal filter and stick to an extenal - most say that they're underfiltered and the internals arn't exactly pretty

Juwel do a cabinet for it? Click below.


good luck with it gaz
Click Here

 

[gazat]

HI WWW,

The rio came with the cabinet and an external fluval 404 filter. I was considering taking the internal filter out, but i'm going for a malawi setup and think i can desguise the internal filter with some rocks,bogwood etc.

This tank was less than a year old (supposedly), after a good clean the weekend it certainly looks that way.

The only thing wrong with it was the flap hinge was broken, but i think this is a common fault on Juwel tanks. I will proberbly get a new flap set for it, there about £27.

I am going on holiday next week, then i will start to set it up, cant wait.

BTW have you had any problems with yours at all, any advice would be appreciated.

Gaza