Morning Guys,
This is my 4th attempt at replying, because for some reason the new site wouldn't let me post....it seems to have woken up now
Anyway, thanks for your advice, Sue and Steve. A few more questions I am afraid.
Sticking with the Rio for the moment, would you advise to change the filter anyway? You say, Sue, that it is rated at less than five times turnover and ok for non-messy fish. What do you consider non-messy fish?
Would I be better to just get a more powerful filter anyway? If so, any advice on what one that would keep a 180 nice and clean?
I'm glad it wasn't just me that thought that review site was a bit wonky. I had told 'Him Indoors' that we had to get a tank that had T5 bulbs fitted because I have live plants and knew that the Juwel had these....only to read on that site that the bulbs with this tank were no good for plant growing
It doesn't take much to confuse me and I thought I had got completely muddled somewhere about the lighting I need. So, that's good now, as long as I get T5's plants will be OK.
Steve...stupid question no. 532...I would have thought that acrylic tanks would get that kind of dull, opaque look after a while, and that glass would be clearer? Or am I thinking of old-fashioned perspex stuff? Also, wouldn't it be harder to clean algae off of acrylic, certainly if you have to scrape it at all?
Would you recommend glass or acrylic?
I haven't googled any acrylic tanks yet, but I shall as soon as I have posted this.
Another thought about the Rio....is that lid quite strong? I only ask as Alice, one of my cats, has been known to lay on my current lid in order to experience that 'under-fur heating' effect! I could do without suddenly finding I have a new 'cat' fish in my tank!
Thank you for your help, I'm sure there will be more questions...I don't want to get this purchase wrong...I'll never hear the end of it.....
Resa
PS. If you think about it, it is actually fair that I get 180 tank, as you have more tanks than me, so will probably still have more litreage (is that a word?) . Also, it was actually H.I. idea to go bigger as him and my son keep going on about the fish they like just for me to keep saying, "can't have one, the tanks not big enough". They now actually say, "oo, we like that fish....no, don't say it....the tanks not big enough" in some sort of strange voice that is supposed to be me
Of course, it doesn't mean I will allow them their fish choice, but I shall be keeping that quiet until after I have my new tank