Hagen Tropiquarium Range > Reviews (5)

I've had my Hagen Tropiquarium 55 for well over three years now and it's been a great little tank on the whole.

The smallest of the tropiquarium range the 55 measured just 52cm wide x 25cm deep x 38cm high, holding approximately 40 litres or 10.5 gallons which is more than adequate for a a small array of tropical fish like guppies etc., and is small enough to tuck away inconspicuously if not your main feature tank.

As the tank is a complete unit the Trio 2000 filter, a three stage biological, chemical and optional filtration unit giving an excellent standard of filtration, the 100W tronic heater and the light housed in the hood (behind a protective cover that can be removed for replacing the bulb.) are all run of a single plug running from the tank hood. Saves on socket space and means no unsightly wires dangling everywhere.

The tank is of a very solid construction with 6mm thick glass and a sturdy well made hood that even your cat couldn't lift with a crowbar!

The replacement media for the filter can seem expensive compared to other brands but the sponge, carbon and ceramic replacemtns needed last well and you dont have to purchase them often.

This unit is an attractive tank, with black hood and base and black piping along the corners, and in all respects should be the perfect tank, however.....

Firstly - the filter unit is HUGE compared to most filters. Being only a small tank I've never quite worked out why Hagen put such a large filter in, admitidly it only take up about 1.3 litres of the total 40, but when you come to arrange the plants and ornaments in the tank you'll find it hard to postition the filter so that it doesnt ruin the whole look of the tank. The filter and the heater easily take up the best part of one of the side panels of the tank, and lets face it, they're not pretty!

Secondly - The 55 leaves hardly any room for modification. I wanted to add an air line to create bubbles and ended up having to drill a hole through the middle of the cap that fits the small feeding hole in the top of the lid, it's not ideal!

Lastly - Be warned, if anything should go wrong in your tropiquarium 55 be prepared to get out your tools! The benefits of the 'all inclusive, one plug system' suddenly shows its achilles heel if the filter of the heater should break.
After two and a half years of faithful service the Trio 2000 filter in my tank broke, the impellor spindle snapped clean off (possibly my fault!) rendering the motor unit useless. Being wired into the hood replacing either the filter motor or heater is extremely difficult as you have to somehow access the inner wiring and wire in your new parts. I contacted Hagen to enquire about a replacement motor but oh, they dont make them any more! I've had to buy a new Superpet internal power filter, remove its plug, feed the cable through the feeding hole in the lid and wired the plug back on, annoying to say the least.

The Tropiquarium 55 does have a lot to offer however, especially to a new aquarium owner, and there would be only the a few minor disadvantages to it had i not been through the filter motor saga!

I'd say over all a good tank, with good fittings at a reasonable price (range £80-£115), just take notice that if you want to modify your tank at any point down the line, this may not be for you.