Hi Guys,
Some help needed, please. We went tank window shopping yesterday, and I think I am settled on a Juwel Rio 180 in black. Good idea? Anyone have any negative experience of these? I'm a bit unsure about the internal filter combined heater. On looking at reviews most people say it is a quiet filter, although one person said it was really noisy, (and I think sue has said this as well
) Also, I am unsure if the heater can be removed from the filter or is it an integral part? If it is, (integral, that is) would that mean if either the filter or heater failed, both would be redundant, requiring me to replace both items? I'm also thinking that I would probably want to change the internal filter to an external one, or rather a HOB type, as I won't be getting the cabinet the tank sits on. Would it be adviseable to change the filter or should the one supplied be ok? If I change, what filter do you all suggest and also what heater?
The other problem that has me scratching my head is, how do I change tanks? The new one is going in exactly the same place as the old one, so I have the problem of removing the old one full of fish so that I can place and set up the new one!
I wondered if I bought some spare sponges for whatever filter I am going to use, and then put them in my current tank under the water (that returns in to the tank) would they start growing bacteria? I don't know how to change the tanks places whilst keeping a cycled tank going until the new one is safe
If I could be sure that the new tank could be cycled like this, then I could potentially set aside enough time to:
1. Remove say, 50% of my water.
2. Move old tank to temporary spot. Although, this would still be amazingly heavy. Put back old water.
3. Set up new tank with substrate, plants, rocks etc.
4. Switch on filter, heater and leave running to reach temperature.
5. Test water and temp, if ok, move fish over.
I would ideally like to leave the 60L up and running so Rafe can stay in there.
Anyway, I have thoroughly cooked my head, so I'm waiting for the genius ideas I know you will all have
Many thanks, guys.