Rio 400

[Fat Boy]

I'm thinking of buying the Juwel Rio 400, just wonderd if anyone has got one, if so do you recomend it, is there something better in the same class. Also is the filter any good or would I need an external. If anyone knows of a better deal in the south of England than THIS could you let me know. Many thanks.

 

[Joviella]

I have a Rio 400 and I think it's a great tank. The internal filter supplied with it works fine,but as I keep big fish I also run an external filter alongside the internal,both of which have the capability of filtering the tank on their own.
Just to let you know.....Juwel are bringing out a Vision 450 very soon. It looks good......maybe you can wait and get one of these instead.

 

[The-Wolf]

Ebay, you can get one for a song.

 

[Waterloo Kid]

My Rio 400 has been great for what I want. I have had a couple of problems:
1/ The lighting bar failed after about 8 months. Got it replaced under warranty without a problem.
2/ The lighting is low for plants. If you want live plants I'd be tempted to either get the I bar replacement for the standard item (T5 bulbs instead of T8s (about £180)) or somehow add lights to the hood (no idea how though).
3/ The 300W heater is a little underpowered for the job. Although that's all I have ever had it takes an age for the water to get to temp.

The filter is fine for general use. Nice and quiet too. Keep the filter floss new to prevent reduced flow. Also, learn to enjoy water changes. There's an aweful lot to change every week!

WK

 

[CFC]

Juwels are great if you are working to a budget and want as much tank as you can get for your money but if you want to put quality over price then i suggest building your tank from seperate items.
Buying seperates will cost you a bit more but if you shop around you can get a 5x2x2 tank with heating, lights and filtration for less than £350, of course you will have to add the cost of your choice of hood and stand to this which will take the over all price to more than that of the juwel but IMO you get far superior quality kit.

 

[CathyG]

I initially considered the Rio because the dimensions fitted the cabinet I already have...but I was not keen on an internal filtration system (I had one before, then invested in an Eheim external cannister and will not go back)

I am now looking at a Rena Aqualife Calvados 150. Same length and width, but deeper. More volume (540 litres, as opposed to 400) a nicer looking tank (IMO) and comes fully loaded with lights, heaters and an XP3 external filter. I am not yet sold on the XP3 (not familiar with it), but I will be running my Eheim alongside anyway. So as long as the XP3 is as quiet, I will be happy

Now just wondering whether my floor can take the weight

 

[Fat Boy]

Thanks for the replys, I've decided not to go for the Rio, saw one this week and the lid looked a bit flimsey and didn't like the look of the filter, Cathy, got to say I saw a Rena calvados 150 this week and it looked GREAT, really well built and it was HUGE. I've just gotta convince the GF that it's worth the money ( £900 best price I've found so far with the cabinet ) I've found a few reviews on the filter if you wanna look HERE. If you or anyone else knows of a cheaper price for the 150 please let me know, many thanks FB.