Tank options

[Mattant1984]

Hi all,
So after a complete break from fishkeeping for just over a year I've decided to get back into it.
I'm looking at going low tech nano, dirted tank (capped) with a heavy plant load.
Im looking at a few tank options but would like to see peoples experiences with the below:
(Build quality, filtration, lighting etc etc)

Fluval flex 34l
Superfish scapper 45
Superfish quadro 40
Aqua One focus 35

Many thanks 😊

 

[richardcunliffe]

These are pretty different from an aesthetic point of view. I'm babysitting a fluval flex 34l and imo I don't really like it much. Convenient from an all in one point of view and filtration seems adequate, but you don't really get the best view of things and I don't really like the waterline masking black dots they put on the glass. It also can scrape off. Plus it's pretty tiny, and I like emersed growth and terrestrial plants too, myself.
The superfish seems pretty well received, and very good for the budget.
Can't give you opinions on the others I'm afraid

 

[G mac]

Unlike Richard, I very much like the Flex 34. My one has been running just over three years. For me, the waterline masking is great as it disguises deposits left by my very hard water. I'm not overly keen on the supplied light and might well upgrade at some point, having said that most easy category plants have done well.

 

[Mattant1984]

These are pretty different from an aesthetic point of view. I'm babysitting a fluval flex 34l and imo I don't really like it much. Convenient from an all in one point of view and filtration seems adequate, but you don't really get the best view of things and I don't really like the waterline masking black dots they put on the glass. It also can scrape off. Plus it's pretty tiny, and I like emersed growth and terrestrial plants too, myself.
The superfish seems pretty well received, and very good for the budget.
Can't give you opinions on the others I'm afraid

Thanks for you views on this, I do agree the superfish scaper does look more sleek and scaper style (hence the name lol) I've never used hang on the back filtration which is the only thing that bothers me really.

The fluval is a weird shape so was concerned about the curved glass on the front and wondered how that would affect viewing.

 

[Mattant1984]

Unlike Richard, I very much like the Flex 34. My one has been running just over three years. For me, the waterline masking is great as it disguises deposits left by my very hard water. I'm not overly keen on the supplied light and might well upgrade at some point, having said that most easy category plants have done well.

Thanks for your comments, I also live in a harder water area so that's nice to know.
How do you find the viewing with the curved panel on the front? Does it distort anything?
Also how do you find the filtration on this tank?
Many thanks

 

[richardcunliffe]

For me filtration seems fine. And I don't really notice distortion from the glass. I maybe came across too negative, it's more that I prefer the open top look, but if you have this on (beside and above a bit) a desk, right at eye level, it's fine. And the waterline mask does work and well for hard water, just makes the thing feel a bit darker (less open)

 

[G mac]

Thanks for your comments, I also live in a harder water area so that's nice to know.
How do you find the viewing with the curved panel on the front? Does it distort anything?
Also how do you find the filtration on this tank?
Many thanks

The curve, slightly magnifies but doesn't distort your view.
I have the original filter foam in the centre section and extra Helix media within a mesh bag, in the left hand side. I also have filter wool at the top behind in the intake. The heater and pump are in the right hand side. Water parameters are all very stable.

 

[Mattant1984]

Many thanks guys,
I'm going to do a bit more research and see what I can find in a couple of lfs however if anyone has any other recommendations for small tank I'd love to know

 

[G H Nelson]

Dennerele Scaper's Tank....various sizes!

Thread 'Dennerle Scapers Tank 35 Litre "The Red Ring"'

6 Sep 2020

Hi Everyone
I decided to set-up a Planted Tank in the kitchen!

Water
Hard Tap-water

Aquarium.
Dennerle Scapers Tank 35 Litre.
Width 400 mm
Depth 320 mm
Height 280 mm

Lighting.
AZOO Flex - Mini Nano Led Black.
Changed to ONE Flat Nano on the 1st Jan 2021.
Co2 Equipment.
CO2 Stainless 1 Litre Steel Cylinder Carbon Dioxide Generator/ Reactor system with
Aquario Neo CO2 Diffuser

Co2.
Citric Acid/Baking powder mix.
100 grams of each plus 150ml of Distilled water.

Filtration.
Dennerele Corner Filter...

• G H Nelson
• Replies: 27
• Forum: Journals

• 

I have the Fluval Flex 34L and added a supplementary light in this thread >Hagen Fluval Flex Aquarium 34 Litre, hood light quick hack!

 

[FrozenShivers]

The curve, slightly magnifies but doesn't distort your view.

This is by definition a distortion, to what degree and whether it bothers you or not is a different matter though 🙂

 

[G mac]

This is by definition a distortion, to what degree and whether it bothers you or not is a different matter though 🙂

True. I suppose I should have written a better explanation.

 

[Mattant1984]

So im going with a flex 34 as ive just found one on Facebook and I'm collecting this evening.
Couldn't really turn it down as it's brand new plus comes with more bits and bobs all for £50, Bargain!!

 

[G mac]

Result 🙂

 

[FrozenShivers]

Amazing! Nice buy 🙂

 

[Mattant1984]

Hi guys, so just a little update on the flex 34 I bought.
The tank was set up on 23rd August and I went for black lava rock and some thin wood pieces all on a layer of Tropica aqua soil.
I've never set up a tank this small and with my previous tank being a near 700 litre tank it was a bit of a challenge.
I love the built in filtration in the back of this tank and the way it hides everything.
I added a large 500g bag of ceramic rings along with the stock foams and have since dropped in a small bag of purigen as well.

 

[Mattant1984]

Tank was planted and cycled shortly after and I actually used the nitrico goop product for this and was pretty impressed.
Within about 10 days and some large water changes all parameters seemed to have settled down and now sit at:
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 20
And have been this way for some time.
I do a 40% water change every week and keep the temp at about 24 degrees.

 

[Mattant1984]

Sorry I should have done some updates earlier but forgot so here's how the tank is today.
Parameters still the same as above however now fully planted and livestock added.

The tank has:
8 ember tetras
8 male guppies
A bunch of cherry shrimp
1 nerirte snail

Plants are:
Limnophilia sessiflora
Siamensis 53b
Narrow leaf java fern
Crypt petechii
Staurgyne repens
Amazon frogbit

Now I know a lot of people are going to say it's overstocked and I would agree however with the added filtration and large weekly water changes all seems well.
I'm adding TNC complete at 2ml 3 times a week.
Lights are on 6 hours per day at 50% intensity.

Please let me know what you think and any advise is more than welcome