New Tank

[szatek]

Dear All,

I'm preparing to get a new 200L tank for my two fish (common goldfish and comet) and I want to make sure I get the best one. I'm considering two at the moment:

http/www.onlineaquariumstore.com/acatalog/Fluval_Roma_200.html
http/www.allpondsolutions.co.uk/cabinet-fish-tank-aquarium-200-litres-hood-filtration-100cm-5111-0.html

First tank looks really nice but the cabinet is in black&silver colour which doesn't go well with my room. I cannot find Fluval Roma 200 with silver cabinet unfortunately so I found second tank which seems to be similar in dimensions and it's all silver. The only difference I noticed is that the second one has got some internal filtration. Do you know any advantages/disadvantages of internal filtering solution ?

Best regards,
Marcin

 

[PDSimon]

Hello,

The fluval roma you have linked us to is the old model. The new model comes is availabe in two sets of colours:

- titanium(silver) and zebrano (a stripey black and brown wood)
- winchester oak (lightish brown) and wenge (dark brown)

 

[szatek]

Sorry but does that mean there is no difference between FLUVAL U5 filter and some internal built in filter ?

 

[IAmATeaf]

Sorry but does that mean there is no difference between FLUVAL U5 filter and some internal built in filter ?

Not an expert but I'd personally avoid the built into the hood filter in favour of either an internal or an external. I seem to recall reading ages ago about people complaining about the in hood filters but it does depend on how it all fits together. For me I like being able to take the flaps and lights off the top of my tank when cleaning or doing a water change.

Sorry I can't be of any more help, I have a Roma 200L tank with an external Fluval 305 filter and have so far found them to be a great combination.

 

[szatek]

I followed your advice. New Fluval Roma 200L tank is on it's way to my flat. It should include some equipment already but I bet I will need some more efficient devices like new filter. I will keep you updated.

 

[waterdrop]

I'd consider an external cannister filter for a tank that size. The main competitors are Tetratec, Rena, Eheim and Fluval. There are Pros and Cons to all of them. People have experienced problems with each type and people have been successful with each type.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[szatek]

I finally got my 200L tank with Fluval 305 filter in place which is now settling down. Here is a small picture I took yesterday. Sorry for the bad quality.

The only thing I'm missing is the air. I was thinking about running a tube under gravel through whole tank so the air comes out in many spots. Can anyone please advise me on the air pump I need to get (power, brand, valves, etc.) ?

Thank you in advance.

PS. Both fish which are still in my old tank seem to be very anxious about the new tank. They keep looking at the new tank with fear

 

[FishyWishie]

Are those real plants? or do you plan to add real plants?

The reason i ask is if they are / you plan to add real plants an air pump with airstones will drive out much of the C02 your plants need. I bought a nice £20 airpump for my tank then went the real plants route and now it sits in my supplys tub in the cabinet lol

Your 305 filter is a great one for a tank that size I have one on my 240 and its never given me a prob so far.

 

[szatek]

All decoration is artificial. I know real plants would look much better but I read you need additional CO2 equipment and since I've got two common goldfish I don't think those plants would last long.

I'm thinking about Tetratec APS400 AirPump.

As for the filter I though it would be too much but considering goldfish are a bit dirty fish I hope it will do the job. I was thinking about installing my old filter (Fluval U2) as well but I like the tank as it is at the moment.

 

[FishyWishie]

Hi again Szatek

You don't need C02 for all real plants If the plants are the main aspect of the tank and you have a massively planted tank then yes a C02 system is a good investment but myself and quite a few others on here dont use C02 and instead just using plant ferts and EasyCarbo and the plants grow just fine.

Tetratec pumps are great I have an APS300 used for 3 days sitting in my cabinet cupboard I could sell it cheap if you needed one

Filter wise i added a Fluval 4+ to my tank to work in tandem with the 305 but that was more to increase flow for the plants as well as increasing filtration capacity adding the U2 at the back say behind a plant or wood etc certainly would do no harm but its really up to you.

 

[szatek]

Hi FishyWishie,

Thanks for letting me know about your pump but I've just bought the one I mentioned before.

I think I will try to fit the U2 filter somewhere as there can't be too much filtration can it ?

Cheers,

 

[FishyWishie]

Those 2 filters will be fine together overfiltration can be an issue i believe but with those 2 filters your far away from getting to that stage.

 

[szatek]

I'm just thinking what treatments I should use with my two common goldfish. So far I was just using tap water conditioner (NUTRAFIN AQUA PLUS) while changing water every week. Do you think I should also be doing treatments like NUTRAFIN CYCLE or NUTRAFIN WASTE CONTROL to keep my fish happy and healthy ? There is just so many of them and I don't want to put too much stuff in as it might do more damage than good.

 

[FishyWishie]

Nutrafin cycle is a waste of money tbh it contains mostly dead bacteria and really screws up test readings for a few weeks id stay well clear regards to waste control i'd only use this if your water changes were not keeping ammonia and nitrates low enough otherwise you shouldn't need it.

 

[szatek]

I got back home today and noticed that the water is whiteish. I got the tank on Saturday and filled it with water. Yesterday I went to get decoration together with gravel. I washed all of it thoroughly and it was fine until today. I was adding Nutrafin Cycle since Saturday according to the label on the package:
Saturday - 125ml
Sunday - 50ml
Today - 50ml
I've just tested water and here are the results:
Ammonia - 0 ppm
Nitrite - 0 ppm
Nitrate - 40 ppm

Should I wait until the white colour disappears before introducing fish ?

Cheers

I forgot to mention I haven't got the air pump yet. It will arrive tomorrow. Can lack of air cause the water to be whiteis or is it that famous new tank syndrome ?