A question of equipment

[G-1000]

Hey guys,

I just wanted all of your opinions on the following:

I want to get a 4 foot fish tank cabinet and hood brand new - in the modern style cabinet and hood (just plain black painted, not heritage style).

Where is the best place to get this size tank from in NSW (price etc.)

Secondly,

I want to get 2 eheim canisters to run it - maybe around 500-600 l per hour (how much should these cost?)

I want to hook up 2 hydor inline heaters, one to each canister filter (how much for these u guys reckon?)

And finally, I want to put a U.V steriliser on each canister filter too (how much and what brand is the best quality?)

How much is all that likely to cost all up - tank & filters & uv & heaters

G

[Ben]

Hi G,
just a quick question, how big do you want the 4 foot tank? I am guessing by what you have in mind is a 4x2x2 tank. but then again maybe smaller.....

Let us know mate and i will throw some ideas your way!

cheers,
Ben

[G-1000]

Hey Mate,

Yeh im thinking around 48X18X18 but maybe up to 48X24X24

But most like the 48 by 18

250ish litres

G

[Ben]

Ok, G.

sorry mate last question!
Are you thinking a bare bottom tank or planted with gravel.

cheers,
Ben

[G-1000]

Definately bare bottom

Maybe a couple of plants in terracotta pots or something

G

[Ben]

cool G

I would go either a ehiem 2217 or a Hydor cannister.
http://www.aquariumproducts.com.au/prod959.htm

In my opinion i would go only one cannister filter, as i recommend %20 water change every day!
And once per week do a %50 water change.

Try one of these, but you will need to monitor the temp before adding fish.
Should not be a problem up in Sydney

http://www.aquariumproducts.com.au/prod964.htm

as for a UV one of these, will work a treat!
http://www.aquariumproducts.com.au/prod451.htm

No matter what the filtration lots of good water changes are the key!!!

HTH
Ben

[G-1000]

Thanks Ben,

I was thinking of going eheim, but it just isnt worth the price premium. So I will go with the hydor ones for $259 (hopefully I can get a discount lol).

Just one more question - I have decided to run 2 canisters on the tank and I would like to get a UV to run each canister. What is the best UV in your opinion?

I have heard tankmaster is the best - is this true ?

And if so, which one would u recommend ?

Yes I am aware that 2 canister is probably overkill - but I am planning some very expensive discus and dont want to take the chance....

G

[Benny]

if u r lookin @ the hydor unit, for a few bucks extra why not consider the aquis 2200 from AOA??? theyre about $320 from reccollecttion, and its a WHOPPER of a canister, and supposedly outstanding quality..

I saw the 2400 operating, and was mighty impressed

[Ben]

G,
I can say that too much filtration is never enough, it all depends on the $$$.
As far as the UV's go, i have many internal Uv's both 9 watt and 24 watt, but i have only one external UV which is a coralife 9 watt turbo twister.
It is running on an eheim 2215 canister filter, 4x14x18 tank.
I can say that i am not familiar with other types of UV sterilzers and how they perform.
I am sure some other forum members can help here.

The coralife turbo twister works very well and i am very happy with it, and i have a friend/discus keeper who has a 9 watt as well as the 18 watt unit and he is very pleased with them and not had any major problems.

BUT!!!!!!

A few problems with running/using this unit.
As the coralife turbo twisters are not available in Australia, they need to be bought from over seas (i bought mine whilst in Singapore)

There is a certain danger, if any problems occur and the house burns down because of a faulty unit, insurance will not be covered.
So it is really a users risk with the particular product.

Other wise they work a treat!

Cheers,
Ben

[G-1000]

I dont suppose anyone has had experience with these hydor canisters ?

Seem to be designed very well.

G