Starting A New Tank

[crago1990]

Hello. Ive been looking around for a upgrade. Was close to buying the Roma 200 but its alot of money including the stand (Aprox £450-£500). Anyway i was looking around at a local garden centre and i found a Aquael Classic 100 (£200 including the stand). Its 200L which is twice the size of my current tank and the same size as the roma 200 i wanted. But i wanted to check what you guys think about the lights it comes with. I looked online and cant find much about it. The description says.. Hood lighting IP67 (not sure if thats good) and it comes with 2x 30w light system. I think i read it comes to 1.2 watts per gallon. I dont want anything high tech but i would like to grow java fern, anubias, twisted vallis, Crypt Beckettii and some swords. Currently have an elite 95 and lighting is quite poor in the tank so not had a massive amount of growth from my plants. I use Jon Innes soil and liquid ferts aswell. So if anyone could help with the lighting that would be great. If all goes well i hope to get it next weekend.

Thanks

 

[sadguppy]

Can't comment on the Aquael as I considered but didn't buy it. In the end we went for the Roma.
The Roma 200 shouldn't be that expensive, in Maidenhead Aquatics you can get the tank and stand for around £350 combined. The lights/filter etc you get with it is likely to be better also.

 

[Jammiedodger]

Roma 200? £450-500?! I payed £350 and that was 5 years ago.... It's a simple matter of shopping around.
Here's one from seapets for £326.. http/www.seapets.co.uk/products/aquarium-supplies/aquariums/fluval/fluval-roma-aquariums/fluval-roma-200-aquarium-and-cabinet-black-titanium-and-zebrano.html?ref=googlebase

Not sure about the aquael, but I can give a thumbs up to the Roma in every aspect

 

[KkAaNnEe]

If its a show tank, always go with a decent brand. Failing that, get a second hand branded tank

 

[crago1990]

So everyone reconmends the roma? lol it is an extra like £150 though. I agree that the roma looks better no contest but i want an external filter as well which makes the roma option even more expensive. In the shop they had the both tanks next to each other and when i saw the aquael classic 100 for only £200 i was thinking there has to be a down side because it was so cheap. Except looks anyone know of any other diffences that will make it worth paying the extra 150 for a roma? and is 350 including stand? cheers.

 

[sadguppy]

It depends what you want in a tank and whether the difference is a lot of money to you really. If you are after a bargain and are concerned with the size rather than the flash appearance then go with the other one however if it is something you've saved for and have wanted for ages, go the extra mile. Yes that is for both tank and cabinet.

 

[sadguppy]

Edited oops double post!

 

[craig855s]

Second hand is the future so long as its in VGC, All my tanks have been second hand, from a roma 90, through a Rio240, a marine Redseamax130 and now a Trigon 190. My Rio240 cost me £120 WITH stand and was in immaculate condition, came with perfect lights and even the 3D backing stuff that's about 20 quid a sheet

 

[sadguppy]

Was about to mention that if you're willing to go second hand then there are often fluval roma tanks for sale in good nick on eBay and in the classifieds section here - in fact having checked one has very recently sold.

 

[crago1990]

For me its not all about the looks of the tank. you should be looking inside the tank not the outside. but the roma does look really good. Seapets do a really good deal they chuck in loads or gravel and stuff. Got a 60l going on ebay tomorrow and when i get my new tank my 90l will be going on ebay so funds aint a massive problem. but £150 is a big difference in price for the same size tank. as i said before one of my main concerns is the lighting for growing plants. my standerd light in my 90l is rubbish and makes growing plants difficult. the lighting in the roma will be very good so thats a plus for the roma im just not sure on the lighting for the aquael classic 100.

 

[sadguppy]

Is it just the one light in the Aquael? You get two in the Roma and my plants are all doing well. But then they were doing ok in my 65l with a single light... So I can't really answer your question!

 

[crago1990]

yeah ive looked for second hand roma 200 on ebay. just none in my area. i havent looked on this forum though might have to do that. and yeah on the aquael classic its 2 lights aswell.

 

[KkAaNnEe]

You can also check aquarist classified and gumtree. Ive bought juwel rio 180 and 300 from ebay, £150 and £200, with tons of extras

I know it takes a bit of waiting when searching but these tanks are built to last, i cant justify the brand new prices of them

 

[crago1990]

yeah brand new prices are so expsenive. just about waiting for that right offer toc ome along. but as everyone knows when you want a new tank its very hard to wait lol. but thats why im interested in that aquael classic 100 because £200 for tank and stand of that size is better then anything ive found by a long way

 

[KkAaNnEe]

Its probably just made a bit more cheaply. I think bigbruiseral bought an AllPondSolutions tank and reviewed it, they are cheap like te aquael, hopefully someone can find you the link as its probably similarily built if not a little better