Rio 180

[Fiori]

I've been reading some posts recently, which have indicated some possible problems with the juwel filters. I am getting a Rio 180 in a couple of days and wondered if I should think about some additional filtration, to help keep the water crystal clear.

Any thoughts on the best type/brand?

 

[BobK]

Emperor 280 - good for aquariums up to 50 gallons. Provides very good mechanical/chemical filtration. Bio-wheel provides excellent bio filtration. Comes with a spare media container so you can additional media of your choice. My 400 keeps the tank in tip-top shape. Also good is the AquaClear series by Hagen. AquaClear 50 would be good for your size tank. Provides excellent mechanical filtration. It is a little easier to customize media than the Emperor but the bio-filtration is no where near as good. Marineland, maker of the Emperor 280, makes another line of bio-wheel filters - Penguin. These are almost as good as the Emperors but they don't have flow control or the spare media container for customization. The Penguin 170 would be the one best suited to your aquarium. If it helps, I have an Emperor 400 on a 75G tank and a Penguin 125 on a 10G tank and I'm very satisfied with both although the 125 is a bit strong for a 10G.

 

[Fiori]

Thanks for the info - I had a look in my lfs today and they have none of these - but plenty of other kinds. I will ask my nice lfs man when I get the tank set up for cycling, if he can recommend one of those.

 

[BobK]

I'm curious as to what types of filters they have for sale.

 

[Fiori]

They had Eheim and Fluval - that I can remember. Some others too, but the old memory is not what it was

 

[fraservet]

The filter that comes with the Rio 180 is perfectly adequate.
Unless you really intend to heavily stock your tank, just stick with it.

 

[Fiori]

Its just so confusing - I suppose the best thing is to set up the tank and see how it works, before worrying about it. I guess I am being over cautious after having problems with my first tank.

Thanks for all the replies.

 

[Coral platy]

I have a juwel filter amd there is nothing wrong with it. It keeps water at its state it should be. A lot of people say they are bad but this is because they have heard from 1 member and carried it on from there. Or it is a problem that juwel is not responceble. You can add another filter if you want but just take it into mind there is no nead for it. Unless you are getting expensive fish.

Also Juwel filters are not bad. They are good at there job. BUT they are made for heavy planted tanks with hardly any fish in them. Read up on GOOGLE it has some good sites that agree with me.

James

 

[Fiori]

Thanks for the tip - I think its a case of reading toooo much and getting conflicting info - I've not used a juwel before so have no direct experience to come to a proper judgement. I had always thought they were a good brand anyway.

I'll try it and see how it goes.

 

[ChrisP]

I hate to be the one to step in here and say it but.....the Juwel filters are crap! Dont get me wrong they do the job but I wouldnt plan on using it if you plan to atleast moderatly stock your tank. If you want crystal clear water you will not get it from the Juwel, add a canister filter and run it and the Juwl together, what to get depends on your budget, Eheim makes superb filters although they are a bit pricey, if you want to save a few quid go for something like an atman although I think they changed there name to Ultrajet or something now, the 3335 is about 50 notes and will take care of upto 50G.

 

[sylvia]

Even if the filters were good I'd still say to go for another one - there's no such thing as too much filtration

 

[Fiori]

Soooooo - where am I at? Good question! Thanks all for your advice - my head is spinning now!!

I think that I originally posted the thread cos I felt that even if the filter was ok, I want to fully stock the tank, but had read that juwels are good with minimal fish and lots of plants - I'm dithering something dreadful about what fish to get, cos there's soooo many nice ones - aarrgh - decisions, decisions!

Anyway, I tend to agree with Sylvia - no such thing as too much filtration and I want this tank to be as trouble free as possible - 2 months of daily water changes for a small overstocked tank have taken their toll

Thank you all

 

[Coral platy]

What did i say? With less fish more plants So juwel filter are not crap. The owner of the tank is a bad fish keeper! They think one filter lots of fish. But fishkeeping is not about filling your tank to the maximum fishet it can hold. It is about having fun and bieng happy with a smalll amount off fish you have.