New Aquarium inbound..

[19Lee81]

Evening all..

So, on Saturday I take delivery of an Aquael Optiset 200..
I already have a very well established 100l planted tank with a sand only substrate that I use root tabs and liquid ferts in.
Everything in the 100l will be getting transferred in the new 200l. This time round with the added space I would like to use a soil base layer to be able to grow larger root feeders like Swords etc..
My question is this, which soil would you guys recommend for established plants that won’t cause any issues with nutrient spikes..
Thanks in advance,
Lee..


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[qatt83]

Hi mate, how are you getting on with the Optiset, I've just got a 200 too (not set up yet) and having a think about lighting in particular - i.e. what additional tubes to get. You're the only person I can see through a search who has mentioned an optiset tank here so just wondering how you find it so far?

 

[19Lee81]

Hi mate, how are you getting on with the Optiset, I've just got a 200 too (not set up yet) and having a think about lighting in particular - i.e. what additional tubes to get. You're the only person I can see through a search who has mentioned an optiset tank here so just wondering how you find it so far?

Hi… sorry for the ridiculously late reply..

Absolutely love the tank, excellent quality at a bloody good price!!!..

As for the lighting up until last week I have been using the LED tubes that came with the setup.

My tank is low tech with slow/slower growing plants.. I had been running one tube for 10hrs and the 2nd tube for a 2hr blast mid way through the lighting period with brilliant results and next to no algae issues..

I have however just upgraded one of the tubes for one of their Leddy Plant items. Interested to see how it performs.


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[Ernesto]

Hi there,
How has the aquarium held up over time? Can you say something about the glass quality and the lid?
I want to buy the 240 but haven't been able to see it in real life yet.
Thanks in advance-

 

[JohnCooke]

I'm about to order the same tank (Aquael opti-white 240), so I'd also be interested in your response. Again, as above, difficult to see it in the flesh, so I'm going on the recommendation of my lfs.

 

[park3r213]

I'm about to order the same tank (Aquael opti-white 240), so I'd also be interested in your response. Again, as above, difficult to see it in the flesh, so I'm going on the recommendation of my lfs.

Hi there,
How has the aquarium held up over time? Can you say something about the glass quality and the lid?
I want to buy the 240 but haven't been able to see it in real life yet.
Thanks in advance-

Good morning guys.
I hope the op doesn't mind me hijacking their post, but I just seen your comments regarding wanting to purchase the 240, but haven't seen it in flesh. I had the exact same thing when I was wanting to buy it and was unsure because I had no real pictures of it in person to go off, apart from a couple of YouTube videos. For the great price, I ended up just buying it about 2 weeks ago so thought I'd share share some pics of it with you! (First time doing a planted aquarium so be kind haha!) I still have more plants to go in yet.
I'm very pleased with it. The cabinet is solid and looks very neat, the tank itself is just beautiful and that optiglass looks amazing! (The water in the pic was cloudy from just filling, so doesn't do it justice) and the 2 lights that come with it are very powerful and have really nice settings to go with it. The lid is ever so slightly flimsy to handle, but once it's on the tank it sits straight and solid. If you were to buy it, I have no doubt that you'll be made up with it
There only issues I've found up to now, is when you lift the lid, condensation can call behind the tank between the cutouts for piping etc. But it can be prevented by lifting it slowly and letting the condensation fall into the tank before lifting it up fully. And the doors took a little while to align properly. Nothing at all that would put me off buying another one. I bought mine online from urmston aquatics and received flawless service also.
I hope the pics help, and I hope I was okay to post this on this thread. I'd say go ahead and buy it!

 

[Ernesto]

Thank You very much Sir! This helps to decide .
Looking forward to follow your journal 🙂

 

[JohnCooke]

Many thanks for this!

 

[bazz]

and the 2 lights that come with it are very powerful and have really nice settings to go with it.

I would be careful at this early stage of beaming so much light into your tank, perhaps use only 1 for a few weeks until your plants have adapted to immersed growth. I would also consider buying a good few bunches of fast growing stem plants which can be removed at a later date if they ultimately don't fit in with your eventual goal.

Using stem plants as a filtering aid at Start Up!

The subject of using fast-growing stem plants as part of a filtering aid has cropped up a few times recently. This idea has been around for a long time so not new, it has benefits, especially for a new setup. 1. Improves water quality. 2. Reduces excess light. 3. Reduces diatoms. 4. Reduces...

www.ukaps.org

Cheers!

 

[park3r213]

Hey Bazz,
Thanks a lot for the advice!
I didn't realise that too much light could be negative whilst the plants are adapting, so many thanks for that, I've been making sure to use just one light on the slightly dimmer option for now.
Thats a very interesting and educational thread that you've linked and I'm going to be adding some of those plants also!
Thanks again!