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Roma 240

Trakkajack

Trakkajack

Member
Joined
28 Jan 2021
Messages
144
Location
Doncaster
I’m new to all this so am busy researching, reading the George Farmer book AMA watching utube videos. I’m thinking of getting the Fluval Roma 240 as it is predrilled for the external filter and has led lights.
I thought for a newby it would be a good place to start as I am not technical at all.
Is this a good starting point?
I want to acquascape by the way ....
 
What about a smaller open top tank? much better for scaping.

The predrilled tank comes with issues of its own, in that it is hard to change the filter and you are stuck with the Fluval light.

Spoken to lots of people who buy a similar set up and then regret it a year later.

A lot depends on budget but give it some thought. Perhaps post a full list of the hardware that you plan to buy And type of scape that you like. That’ll save you time and money in the long run.😃
 
Hi, if you're after a decent quality, value for money set up then I'd say go for it, you'll struggle to get all the bits seperate for that kind of money.
If you're planning on going higher tech then I'd say no, the 307 filter isn't up to the job (I've a 407 and it still isn't enough) the lights are ok but not enough if you're planning co2 and the position of the outlet makes it difficult to provide measured, even flow around the tank.

For a fish tank with plants that looks nice fantastic, for a serious aquascaping set up give it a miss.

Cheers.
 
Hi and welcome. I am getting back into aquariums after quite a few years.
I have been looking at tanks and I am tempted to go for something like these:
AquaNano (aquaone.co.uk). I like the idea of the filter being incorporated as part of the tank.
Also I like these:
Shaker - Fluval UK (fluvalaquatics.com)
or these
JUWEL Aquarium | Rio 240 LED | purchase online (juwel-aquarium.co.uk)

I still keep coming back to the Fluval roma's because they come with Bluetooth controlled LED lighting. But I too don't like the issues with the in/out to the filter, through the bottom of the tank, as Siege said.

I am moving towards a much smaller tank, 50 to 100l. It will be cheaper and if I do get back into this aqua thingy, I can still use the smaller tank as a nursery/hospital/plant growing/isolation tank. If not then it is only a small tank and I could always give it to one of the younger members of the family.

Hope that my ramblings help you to decide what will work for you.
 
Just saw the replies thank you. At the moment I’m only planning on getting this one tank and yes I want to acquascape but as I’m a total newbie I don’t as yet know really about filters, lights, hardware etc and am watching the utube videos and reading to learn more before I take the plunge. That’s why the complete set up with external filter appeals to me and this tank is the only one I can see that comes with that. I am very open to suggestions and advice and the thought of a smaller tank initially to learn from is actually a very good idea. If I knew how to connect an external filter that might be the way to go. At the moment figuring out water changes and how to get the water out then in and not flood the place is keeping me awake at night also how to get the incoming water the right temperature so additional things to think of are being put on the back burner ha ha
 
Definitely if you are more drawn to the aquascaping than the fishkeeping then go for a smaller tank, maybe a 2 foot.

Loads cheaper to run, cheaper to fill with plants, cheaper to replace all of said plants when they die on your first attempt, quicker to maintain.

Look out on the for sale section on the forum, people sell complete set ups for very reasonable prices.
 
Any shop that has display tanks running is usually happy to go through the details with you
A 60P (60cm x 30cm x 36cm(h)) is really a wonderful aquarium size to begin with aquascaping - its dimensions were chosen by Takashi Amano for aesthetic perception (though any aquarium can be aquascaped, this one is much easier to achieve a satisfying result)
It’s a decent size for various fish species, and also a reasonable size to scape and rescape re investing in various hardscape materials, and new plant choices
There are quite a few suitable light and filter choices (ranging from economic to dear)
There are numerous outstanding scapes shown in detailed YouTube videos

The Roma 240 is a tank I’d select more for fishkeeping (maybe - most fish actually prefer a larger footprint tank rather than a taller tank) rather than aquascaping
 
Thank you. I do want to try the acquascaping but definitely want the fish to have a great environment; which is why I wanted a larger tank - I think it’s going to maybe be just a choice I arrive at after hopefully chatting to my local shop (much easier when no lockdown!) just trying to find the links re water changes - I will get there but technology is not my friend ha ha
 
Hi,

Some very good advice already given to you by some of the more experienced members on here. My thoughts for you, and maybe to try and help you not make the same mistakes as I have.

I'm not a new fish keeper, far from it, but I am too aquascaping and I'm also in the organising phase of a new 200l set up. As others have said its a different approach when considering scaping, and I have already made impulsive purchases and have buyers regret. I agree that the Roma 240 is a lovely aquarium more suited to keeping fish with a splattering of easy plants. If that's your thing, then great. However, if you maybe want your equipment to expand with your hobby as you move forward, then you will soon be wanting to replace your aquarium or equipment. Therefore, you could end up buying twice, and find that it is difficult to adapt the equipment to something that was purpose built in a certain way.

You mentioned you have a local shop and thats great I am all for supporting local businesses, but my advice is to step back and ask yourself are they a shop that supply fish with a few bits of hardscape littered around, or do they really know there stuff on how to keep plants in harmony with fish. I say this, as the advice you will be given from one shop will reflect on there background and knowledge, and most probably be full of personal opinions. Just because they own or work in a shop doesnt mean they actually know anymore than you do on certain subject. For example the last time I bought some fish from our local P@H store, the member of staff couldnt even sex guppies and told me that I would get a mix of whatever they plucked out. I also have a shop near me that are still instructing there customers the same as they did 20 years ago on keeping fish tanks and selling non aquatic plants for our aquariums. They have more novelty statues on sale than hardscape, to me it speaks volumes.

This site is in some ways more dedicated to keeping plants, the fish are somewhat secondary in most cases (obviously not to the detriment of the health and wellbeing of the stock) Therefore, you will get some very good food for thought here, and the guys will def help you think outside of the box a little.

I hope this helps you with your decision making, whatever route you choose.

Regards
Paul

I personally chose the Evolution Aqua 900 which again was built for aquascaping in mind, there are many others to choose though.
 
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Trakkajack said:
chatting to my local shop
Click to expand...
Just a word of caution there are some great bricks and mortar shops out there but most are a mine of misinformation.
Best advice is to talk to one of our sponsors. I'd give Steve @Siege or Dave a ring at Aquarium Gardens.
You are guaranteed to get the best possible advice, and service 😉
www.aquariumgardens.co.uk

Aquarium Gardens

Aquarium Plants and Planted Aquarium Supplies UK. Buy live aquatic plants online, algae free & shrimp safe guaranteed, high European quality, suitable for tropical and cold-water fish tanks.
www.aquariumgardens.co.uk www.aquariumgardens.co.uk
 
Just a word of caution there are some great bricks and mortar shops out there but most are a mine of misinformation.
Best advice is to talk to one of our sponsors. I'd give Steve @Siege or Dave a ring at Aquarium Gardens.
You are guaranteed to get the best possible advice, and service 😉
www.aquariumgardens.co.uk

Aquarium Gardens

Aquarium Plants and Planted Aquarium Supplies UK. Buy live aquatic plants online, algae free & shrimp safe guaranteed, high European quality, suitable for tropical and cold-water fish tanks.
www.aquariumgardens.co.uk www.aquariumgardens.co.uk
Click to expand...
Second that Tim, and not pushy in anyway either.
 
Hi, loads and loads of brilliant advice here and I'd just like to second the advice from Paul regards having a good think about which direction you plan to go.

I have 2 Roma 240's and my criteria when setting out was to have tanks that mainly catered for fish, the fish I planned on keeping and how the tanks would fit it with their surroundings.

The main thing for me was tank footprint for the size of fish I keep, i also knew the fish that i wanted liked warmer temperatures around 26 ⁰c and thus i wanted a tank with a lid due to concerns about condensation.
I was also conscious about any light glare that would spill into the living room if I had open top tanks. The last deciding factor in the lid or no lid decision was my 6yr old daughter and the possibility of her deciding to toss a few nicknacks in said tank.

So that's why I ended up with the Roma 240, a tank that gives me everything in terms of fish keeping and can be aquascaped but, and its a big but, is a pain in the blahblahblahblah for all the reasons above.

If and when i do get another tank it will be very much with scaping in mind and the fish will have to take a back seat.

Cheers.
 
Some really good advice here thank you. Ok. I am now having a rethink and yes I will watch the utube links and phone the guys who I now know will give me sound advice so I can make the best decision. My local shop is fish oriented and from what I can gather old school thinking (nothing wrong with that and obviously lots of experience!) more research to do now so thanks!
 
Trakkajack said:
. At the moment figuring out water changes and how to get the water out then in and not flood the place is keeping me awake at night also how to get the incoming water the right temperature
Click to expand...
Yeah that was me last August! Turns out it's all well explained as Sparkyweasel says above. The more you do it, the more you get used to it, the less daunting it becomes. And unless you're running a hot tank (plants in general like cooler tanks) it's usually ok to add water that's at room temperature. One thing nobody warned me about was that you'll need storage space for all the stuff you get once the bug has bitten. The opportunities for retail therapy are endless 😎.
 
Watched the George Farmer water change video. Great thanks! Working my way through the other links - I think a smaller tank then yes ... need it covered though as 3 big hairy dogs that create lots of dust daily! Off to watch more utube thanks for all your input. Really appreciate it
 
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