Where to get a tank from ? and is this a good idea

Morning all, I am still yet to purchase a tank for my main reason I found a Juwel Rio 180 which was a average price £269 for the tank and £145 for the unit it sits on, However the tank comes with filters and I am thinking of looking into buying a tank only (just a glass box). Whats pushing me from the Rio 180 is spending £270 on a tank just to buy my own filter I am wanting a Fluval canister.



Will purchasing this be a good idea I can then purchase everything I want individually, I was thinking of putting a black tint film of the back of the tank to help hide cables and tubing, I have been trying to find a thread on the 'Freshwater Aquarium Builds' of someone doing something similar to myself but can't seem to find anything. I am going to purchase a unit for my living room that the tank will sit on its not one made for aquariums but it will be strong enough I examined a tank cabinet this weekend and I must say there is not a lot of additional support in them for some large tanks.

Any help is appreciated Thanks.

 

Morning all, I am still yet to purchase a tank for my main reason I found a Juwel Rio 180 which was a average price £269 for the tank and £145 for the unit it sits on, However the tank comes with filters and I am thinking of looking into buying a tank only (just a glass box). Whats pushing me from the Rio 180 is spending £270 on a tank just to buy my own filter I am wanting a Fluval canister.

Will purchasing this be a good idea I can then purchase everything I want individually, I was thinking of putting a black tint film of the back of the tank to help hide cables and tubing, I have been trying to find a thread on the 'Freshwater Aquarium Builds' of someone doing something similar to myself but can't seem to find anything. I am going to purchase a unit for my living room that the tank will sit on its not one made for aquariums but it will be strong enough I examined a tank cabinet this weekend and I must say there is not a lot of additional support in them for some large tanks.

Any help is appreciated Thanks.

I don’t see the issue of doing it that way if you do your research. I opted for buying the fluval roma with everything included filter,heater cabinet etc. Which even for the 125l version was not cheap. I know fluval do one with the external canister included but I can’t remember the aquarium size. I will Watch this thread to see how you get on with it.

 

Well, you were looking at Juwel tanks. They are seemingly a bit pricey but they last for ages. I know people that bougth a Juwel tank 30 years ago and never had leakage.

What you linked here is basically a no-name manufacturer (Never heard of Diversa, although it seems to be a european brand). Problem with those is: You never know if they are good quality or not until it's in front of you.
Do you have a store in the vincinity that has that brand? I'd go take a look.
In the end it's your decision.

I have my "own" manufacturer right here in town for my next tank. Which I would always prefer over store bought. But those are often really pricey (with reason though).

 

While some of the kits are convenient, I generally shy away from them. You can usually put together a setup with better filtration and components if you piece it together yourself and buy smart. With that said, sometimes kits are nice to take the guesswork out of things and Usually get you up and going sooner

 

I use a very good supplier, they have everything needed from making up your own to fully kitted out with stand/cabinet....along with every possible extra from sand to specialised lighting....the works really. Extremely knowledgeable staff always available to help and next day delivery too

I have used them for all of my aquariums, stands, sundries and renewables

 

While some of the kits are convenient, I generally shy away from them. You can usually put together a setup with better filtration and components if you piece it together yourself and buy smart. With that said, sometimes kits are nice to take the guesswork out of things and Usually get you up and going sooner

Very true. If you know what you need and want and where to get good qualitiy for a reasonable price it's always the better choice. For a beginner (or re-entry into the hobby) a set has the benefit of having everything in a bundle for reasonable money. Also, you can always mod those later on and still pay less money than with putting together everything by yourself. For me the re-entry with a set was the better choice as I had to learn that some brands that were top notch in the nineties have become discounter-trash, while others that were new and snobbed upon back then have developed to be excellent quality high-end brands today. So... always a mixed bunch.

 

Do you have a store in the vincinity that has that brand? I'd go take a look

MacZ I totally agree as he'll find one cheaper than amazon.

 

MacZ I totally agree as he'll find one cheaper than amazon.

Physically going to a store has two big advantages. You see what you get and you can most often also negotiate better prices in person.

 

Thanks for the replies. I am debating whether to just purchase the Rio 180 as a tank only does anyone know if the filter it comes with is a good filter. My local stores only seem to sell main brands and they are pricey. If I can purchase the tank in the link to the first thread message from amazon and buy my own filter (Fluval 206/7) I am going to research into what guarantee they give for leakages and try and research the brand of tank.

 

Thanks for the replies. I am debating whether to just purchase the Rio 180 as a tank only does anyone know if the filter it comes with is a good filter. My local stores only seem to sell main brands and they are pricey. If I can purchase the tank in the link to the first thread message from amazon and buy my own filter (Fluval 206/7) I am going to research into what guarantee they give for leakages and try and research the brand of tank.

Juwel usually comes with good filters, though most of them are not canisters but fixed inside the tank.
Also try to find out what they do in case it's damaged on delivery. Often you only find out when you do the first test-fill. Bad handling by the delivery company has lead to many tanks leaking without the buyer or the manufacturer being directly responsible.

 

The reviews seem to be good but this obviously is not coming from long term owners, any popular brands of tank that anyone knows off that sells basic rectangular tanks without their own filters included. I don’t know why it’s such a task to find one. I am not wanting one with a cabinet underneath as I have my own Furniture for the tank to go on.

Looking into Diversa they claim to be a company that's been making tanks for 30 years plus however a lot of comments on the fact they use black silicone, I have found this which looks good offering a 2 year warrenty

Ultra Clear Low Iron Glass Aquarium Fish Tanks - 60 80 120cm - 90 140 280L | eBay

I like the glass box tank look, any pics of these style of tanks looking for some inspiration.

 

When I bought my last aquarium from my usual supplier (link above) it arrived shattered, gave them a call and a new one was delivered the next day without any issues.

All of my orders...and I estimate I have spent a couple grand with them by now....arrived next day by courier and this last aquarium was the only one to have damage, so I am more than happy with them which is why they will always get my business....very approachable, very helpful and they actually know what they are on about too