I was going to post this as a poll but i can't work out how

Anyway, I have seen lots of tanks set ups for sale that include the filter, and somethings heater i think, built in, i haven't investigated how powerful the filter is or anything, but was wondering if anyone uses these types of tanks and if so are you pleased with it. Or are there reasons for not buying one?

Types like juwel or biorb are the ones i can remember the names of at the moment.

Thanks,

Rachel

I do not know anything specific about the tanks you list, but, in generalI avoid "all-in-one " items.

If you are talking about kits that are put together to sell : In a "kit" , the parts are usually put into the kit using the needs of the lowest demands of a tropical tank. Higher end tropicals need more and goldfish even more. The filter and equipment are not up to the job of keeping a goldfish. You will need to add more, or replace many of the items that come in a kit. I have also found that they often have the low end of quality of materials - for example many of the cheaper heaters often last one year or less - it is cheaper in the long run to simply buy ab etter one in the begnning. The same goes for the water conditioners (not the right ones) food (tropical), filters (underpowered and frequently of less quality) and books ( not very informative)

In tanks that are truly all-in-one, or equipment - I liken it to the TV/VCR/DVD player combos. Your TV will last forever, but the VCR/DVD player has an average life of anywhere from 2-4 years. What do you do with the TV when the other parts have broken? You are faced with replacing the WHOLE thing. In this same line of thinking - if something breaks in an all in one tank/filter/heater combo, can you fix or replace just the part that is broken or are you going to be facing replacing the whole thing?

Eheim cannisters have an option of having a built in heater in one model. I know of three people who have them. All three report the heater failing within 2 years.....

If you like the way something is constructed, the way the parts relate and work with each other, GREAT. Just be aware that you may or may not be able to repair or replace parts as they fail - and replaceing an entire unit can be pricey!

Thanks Daryl, the juwel tanks i've seen have the filter built in. I must say i think the same way as you do about if it broke. I would happily put a second filter on the tank as, if i had a bigger tank, i'd probably have 2 filters rather than 1 huge one anyway, but that would mean the built in filter would have to actually be any good. Wonder if anyone does use them because particulerly here, most lfs only seem to sell that type or very small (1 gal max) fancy glass ones. wish there was more selection.

for understocked tropical tanks then yes the all in one is good but if you want to keep goldies or the tank is going to be at its top most stocking level then i wouldnt bother. I have a juwel and wouldnt recommend it. I also bought a kit where everything was included and as daryl has said its only the basic equipment for the price of top equipment. Better to research the type of fish and the filtration for the tank first and buying everything seperate. It may well work out a bit more expensive but will save you having to buy another filter down the line.

i,m the other way i have 2 juwel rio tanks (dont go near the juwel rekord range there are rubbish) and am very fond of them, but i do always like to have 2 filters on my tanks so i get a good external so filtration aways tip top even with a horrificaly messy 8in nile puffer, the lights are good and have had no problems with heater, hope this helps !!

sorry forgot to say you can pick up spare parts from most aquatic shops although havent needed any yet

Hi,

New here, but I happen to own a biOrb 7 gal.. It is essentially a bowl with a tiny sponge/carbon filter and massive substrate surface. The advertising usually shows 4-5 goldfish in the 7 gal biOrb[!], but It seems ill suited for the types of fish I see here.

It isn't really an all-in-one, the heater is extra, and even the light fixture is extra. I have used mine for saltwater, tropical, and currently have it as a betta tank. It is just too small for a fancy goldfish, though there is a 60 liter [@15gal] version.

I find it to be best suited to small tropical fish or a single lucky betta which don't put a heavy load on the little 4inch sponge/carbon filter pack.

Hope that helps,

Aqua