Pre Beginner!

[andyjim]

Hi, having to learn more about forums than aquariums right now! Please be entertained rather than offended by my clumsy attempts!
Wanted to set up my own 40 gallon community aquarium in a bedroom. This will eventually be heavily planted. I have a number of q's. Firstly - Do power filters have an adverse effect on plants and if not would internal be better for less noise? Secondly - Does anyone know where I can get metal hoods that will take 2 flourescent tubes as I find the MDF ones a bit bulky and ugly and, finally - Is it worth getting a Juwel tank as once you add it all up you've probably hardly saved much?!
Many thanks in advance for any advice and apologies if I upset any forum ettiquette!!

[cat_fish_lady]

Welcome to AF! Don't worry about forum etiquette too much, as long as you're here with questions and looking to become more informed about the hobby everyone here is happy to help :)

[ScottishFish]

I have a juwel tank, good tanks, bulbs are a pain in the a$$ to get though, just cost me £40 for two bulbs online, I also added an extra HOB filter as I am paranoid about extra filtration

[Cermet]

If you want heavily planted and don't want to pay the outrageous costs they think (and boy, are they off) you have to pay for decent lighting, just buy very low cost, cheap junk hoods and install CFL bulbs. Just be sure the hood has air vents - CFL's run rather hot (but are cool compoared to many typical lights of equal lumens.) These are made for aquarium plants (on-line, still very cheap) but even the average hardware store carries various choices of color (read temperature) to match any requirement. Ditto on intensity (really lumens) - while the 'watt' rating is given (merely a rating of power consumed, not output intensity!), these bulbs really produce far, far more intensity than that rating number - so, don't get 100 watt bulbs! These things are more like a typical 200 watt fluorescent light fixture ... .

[Cermet]

Filters are an issue for small tanks but as long as the current isn't too much, shouldn't pose a problem. While I don't like seeing a filter in a tank - noise is an issue. Canisters are very silent but even a small unit would, I'd think, be too much for a 40 gal.

[scotchbonneteater]

I have a Juwel 260 bow front and cant fault it, but as SF says I too have added an external filter but more for the peace of mind when changing/cleaning them out. the bulb sizes are a pain in the bottom! I sourced mine from Arkpets for a very resonable price compaired to my local Aquatics shop. they also do all the filter media.

[ameliaaahx]

I also have a Jewel tank! Looks GORGEOUS, and thankfully I haven't had to replace any bulbs yet... But I dread the day.

[andyjim]

Thanks for your help, really appreciated. Trying to find simple hoods that'll take two bulbs is proving difficult. It seems that near everyone here uses a 2nd filter and as i'm often unable to look after the set up every day I best get 1. Anyhow, with the support of this 'comunity', i think procrastination has ended! Time to get a tank! If anyone knows of any suppliers who sell hoods I'd be gratefull to hear

[andyjim]

To Cermet, the penny drops, I see what you mean about CFL bulbs now!

[andyjim]

The CFL idea has really opened up an option there, cheers!