My FAVOURITE, LARGE aquarium kit? the FLUVAL Shaker.
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- Опубліковано 13 лип 2024
- After using the @fluval Shaker for a few weeks now I believe that this is one of the best 'please everyone' fish tanks on the market at the moment. Yes, there will always be different tastes and style preferences but after working in the aquarium trade for so long this ticks most of the boxes that our customers generally look for.
Alongside its slightly upgraded counterpart the Fluval Sienna these aquariums come with everything you need: 07 range external filtration, Aquasky LED lighting and a great quality build. As I say in the video, this isn't a sponsored video I just believe that this is a decent aquarium and I can see a lot of people succeeding in the hobby with it. Ultimately, that's what we're here for, people doing great things with fish tanks and growing this awesome hobby.
Let me know in the comments what your favourites aquariums are maybe I'll take your advice and swap out one of my tanks for a new one.
Affiliate links to some of the products used in this video.
NT Labs test kit UK amzn.to/48FI854
NT Labs Axosafe UK amzn.to/3ZHqg5T
NT Labs Axocure UK amzn.to/3POA9Kx
NT Labs Axolotl Junior food amzn.to/3F81OkI
NT Labs Axolotl adult food amzn.to/48Guqio
Fluval FX2 UK amzn.to/45k4hTE US amzn.to/46FhJTi
Fluval FX6 UK amzn.to/3ZIrEoP US amzn.to/3ZITTU8
Fluval 407 UK amzn.to/3F81baQ US amzn.to/3PDHtbG
Fluval Plant LED UK amzn.to/46BLGUb US amzn.to/46F4dyR
Fluval Aquasky LED UK amzn.to/3Q9zO6A US amzn.to/3ZN9QZN
Water Lettuce UK amzn.to/3RHNXce
Aquarium:
@fluval Shaker 345 in grey
Plants:
Various species of the following:
Anubias
Vallisneria
Bucephalandra
Java Fern
Watter lettuce
Schismatoglottis prietoi - Домашні улюбленці та дикі тварини
Wish fishkeeping was as big of deal here in the United States as it is in Europe...
It is to some of us
Yeah it's always a tricky thing to find a good shop and group
Think the UA-camr content from the US is mainly big fish in big pond style rather than the nano fish aquariums but I’m sure you could find a few good ones out there
@@FishShopMattthat's what I have trouble with in South London. There's a few dotted about but small places with little choice.
Aquascaping, too. Impossible to find Rimless tanks if you're not in a major city (and even then it's hard!) and some of the retailers have terrible customer service. Trying to buy an ADA tank is a nightmare...
Just picked up the 252 from the Maidenhead Aquatics at Trowel. It looks great! It’s huge for the price and like you say, it’s got everything you need. If you’re looking for video ideas to add to your list, I’d love a more in-depth video about lighting settings and how to customise them for best effect. More of a how and why than a “here are my settings” which is what most people seem to do.
That is the coolest wood piece. I love the one branch sticking out. I love it so much. Best by far in my book😀
Thank you!
Great review Matt, thank you. I learned a lot about the aquarium and I really trust your opinions.
I appreciate that!
Cant wait for this!
Looking forward for this vid. It’ll be great to see the axolotls are doing.
I’ve got the exact same tank and I love it
Well done Matt! Thanks!
Glad you liked it!
Amazing tank and setup. 👍
Thank you! 👍
My first tank is an Aqua Nano 40, which I've been pretty happy with so far. Planning to get a bigger tank next year though and this one looks very tempting. Thanks for the in-depth review!
I'm moving from Mexico to the UK, and one of the most difficult things about it (besides leaving my family) is having to let go of my 5 tanks, especially my 88 gal. one. Thank you for your video. I'm now looking forward to getting one of these once I'm settled in London.
That's super exciting! Good luck with the move!
I wish in the us we had more access to all in one aquarium tanks! Like those super fish ones and the fluvals but obviously it’s tough.
It's hard to break into America but if people in the US keep asking for them and show there is a demand companies will take notice.
I am so excited. Thank you for the heads up.
You are so welcome!
Best opening ever mate 😂 thanks for leaving that in! I hope you and MD make amends after the recent betrayal! 😉
I have the 252 in grey & if you flip over the top surround & turn the rubber supports the other way around to lodge, it makes the top surround level all the around on top level & leaves a slight gap at the bottom of the surround at the back, for tubs/electric wires coming from the tank on left & right corners to fit underneath with no pressure.
I have my canister in a clear square tub filling the whole area for precaution reasons but i like how you have that light fitted on top to show the canister 👍
Looking forward to this. Will be getting for a mixed rainbow tank after Christmas
It's a very good kit!
Great review Matt 😊
Thanks! 😀
Glad you're feeling better brother! 💜🦖
Thank you buddy!!!
Wow.. cant wait to see the axos..
They are doing well!
That tank is sooooo gorgeous. I have a 125 to set up once we move. I'm going to do it like that one. I have your vids and MD's. It helps with my addiction having you both.
Awesome! Thank you!
If I had the room/money I would definitely love to own of these, top vid as always 🤪✌️💜
Thank you buddy!
Matt your killing it on youtube! Keep it up!
Thank you!
I have Fluval Roma 63 gallons that my local fish store ordered in for me. Had to wait a bit for it cause I live in the US. It is so much like this one. I love it!
The Roma range is very good!
Great video matt, ive had the 168 a couple of years and really struggled to get the right scape as its quite tall and slim as a whole setup so had to try and create a scape that widens the look of it. Been frustrating in that sense but i agree, as far as equipment and ease of maintanence definately best ive had
Yeah I can agree with you on that, it's nice that it's tall but you do have to be ready to scape it.
I have had the fluval shaker for a few years now and love it. Have not changed anything on it and it is super reliable.
This is why I love it! Such brilliant build quality.
Gutes "Werbevideo" für die Fa. Fluval! 😂Nichtsdestotrotz ein schön gestaltetes Aquarium! 😃
I just make videos about products I like whether fluval, oase, nt labs or whoever else makes no difference to me as long as it works.
Nice aquarium 😊
Thank you 😁
hes soooo charming 🥺
Hi Matt,
Hoping you can help.
Firstly thank you very much for the reviewing the Fluval Shaker. You have definitely sold it to me!
I just wondered whether and FX6 is likely to be able to fit in the cabinet?
Many Thanks
Simon
Another great video Matt thanks. Hey I have a new one for you to pull on MD -
RockSand, you don’t have to put on the red light (geddit?)
I've had that stuck in my head all day! Hahaha
Nice aquarium, haven't seen them in shops here in the Netherlands. 1 thing that would probably make them better is heating unit in the filter like Oase does.
Yeah I totally agree with an external heater!!!
I guess you could say Fluval have been "shaking up" the aquarium industry... :) I'm single.
Fluval makes a banging kit! I think the fluval flex 9 gallon is the best bang for your buck all in one starting kit! Can’t beat $89 for everything but a heater! And you can put it on top of almost anything!
It certainly is a very stylish tank and I don't know if this one comes in different colours but that can also be quite useful! I own a Juwel Rio and this model comes in like 5 different colours? So I got the dark wood which suits with the rest of the interior. And I like Superfish because their tanks are pretty much ready to go. Affordable and a good option if you quickly need one because lots of shops around here sell this brand. :)
They do come in a few colours but certainly not as many as juwel. Superfish are a brilliant brand they just don't make anything about I think 150 litre.
Hey Matt, firstly shout out to you and MD, what a great collaboration!! Love watching you both. Just one question, I’m getting this tank today and am concerned about the filter outlet not giving surface agitation…will this be an issue do you think?
Looking forward to seeing you at Aquashella Daytona!! Will y’all be at the UA-cam meet and greet?
Dating myself: I had Fluval filters back in the mid/late 80's and I had years of other filters before that. I'm currently out of the hobby but thinking about going back. I would go with Fluval 100%!
Hahahaha you should definitely get back in to it so much has changed and it's way easier!
Wow, that must have been a sight: an aquarium running in the house!
Water went everywhere!!!
I am genuinely happy with all Fluval equipment I have with my aquarium from the heater to the light. Enjoy the Fluval Shaker aquarium kit review. It looks like it would be a great option to consider.
Matt. Great channel, bud. As im watching this and you talking about cost , im having heart palpitations. Here in South africa.... my apologies, and let me just say im not a rugby fan at all 😂. Cost on that tank and range, not many people here can afford them, dollar to rand exchange rate is insane. 1us dollar is R20..... so we are looking at like 12k for a tank and then some. 😢 😢😢😢 keep up the great work, and if you get the chance pls do some bigger fish and scapes. Sevrums and geophagus, that kind of stuff. Thank you again, and I can't wait for the next episode.
Not sure if you realise, but you can edit the times and brightness of each colour of the light in auto! They’re great lights.
I haven’t watched the axolotl build video yet but that’s a beautiful scape. Wish Fluval sold the 350-ish in the U.S. Maybe it will come someday soon
Thank you! Fingers crossed it will come out in the US one day!
Hi matt do you think you could run an fx filter on the shaker 252 ?
Maybe an fx4 ?
Hi Matt, I was wondering if you have thought about an "absolute beginners" series of vids?
Could include things like fish in(and how to do it kindly for the fish so they aren't suffering) and fish out nitrogen cycle (controversial on the net).
Enjoy the live chat 👍
Thanks for interacting it was great!
Would a Fluval FX6 fit in that cabinet? Thanks
Ooh this is very similar to the juwel rio series just more focused on external than internal filtration out of the box
Exactly I like the juwel tanks I just prefer the external filter straight out of the box.
@@FishShopMatt I don't mind the internal filter. Saves me trouble with hoses. ;) Some fish keepers say the internal Juwel filters are insufficient if you keep a lot of fish and have a large bioload, but loads of plants help. ;) And I'd put in a lot of biological filter medium like cirax or similar. I've got 3 cassettes of cirax in the bottom holder and I had some space left in the top holder so I got the rest of my Crystal Max, put it in a filter bag and put filter floss and 2 sponges on top.
@@FishShopMatt Oh yeah for sure that is a huge bonus this one has. That and the sturdier top. It can be a bit of a pain to remove the juwel interneal filter too so for a beginner this kit is very friendly!
i am a juwel fan for bigger kit aquaria they have a dufferent package but im happy with them but i do reckon the merit of the fluval package and theyr lights and filters are the best bang for the buck i own a 207 working flawlesly sincse 2020 and my 407 just arrived for my 450 juwel ill run it in paralel with the internal filter i want extra filtration and a backup ,anyhow keep it up enjoy the content you put out :D
I just wish they did the Sienna or the Shaker with the filter inlet/outlet on the left side.
Have a 16 gallon fluval vista. Came with cover which includes light.(id say it’s medium strength) A heater. A filter with adjustable flow. A net. Bacteria and quick start. Is a great little kit for a reasonable price. Only wish the light had a built in timer. It is currently a betta/ green neon tetra tank which is full of plants. Fluval does do an excellent job.
Currently considering another kit for a betta tank I plan on building for my daughter. Looking at the shrimp king aquarium kit available at Flip aquatics. Looks nice but haven’t been able to find any reviews. Might go with fluval again. Sometimes kits are worth it financially though it is fun to pick all the parts yourself. Haven’t decided yet. Will be a Christmas gift so I’ve got a bit of time to decide. The kit featured here looks pretty cool. Might consider it in the future or may just make her a larger aquarium. ❤
Sounds awesome! I don't think we get those aquariums in the UK.
Sounds like a cheeky way of getting yourself a larger aquarium hahaha.
@@FishShopMatt maybe. 😂
Ive got a 168 and only upgrade id do is move to a 307/407 filter to get faster flow (already have a cp 2 and still think the rainbows want more)
Yeah that's a good idea, more filtration less cleaning!
@@FishShopMatt i can dream of less cleaning already do 25-30 water a week and filter rinse
I would love to get that aquarium but have the ability to have a different canister filter. I prefer the Oase BioMasters
You can easily put other canisters on it. The pipe fittings underneath are universal size so will fit most filters.
I elected not to use the drilled kit. My reasoning is that I wanted to put an fx2 on it, which I did. Chaning the hoses would be a hassle. I also do not like the Fluval hoses. So, I silicone the holes with the and screwed back on the covers. It would have been safer and more efficient if they drilled the holes on the back of the tank and did a ghost overflow. Alternately, I guess you could raise the intake. Side note I am from the US and bought this tank in Nov 2022.
Can I just suggest child locks on the cupboard otherwise Quinn might mess with the filter. I've heard stories 😂
Hahahaha yeah I have a box of child locks ready to fit
Hi Matt, i have always had juwel aquariums. Do you think the fluval are better value for money? Loving the content 👌🏼
Juwels are very good, I prefer fluvial because I think the kit it comes with is better. But I juwels are a little cheaper so it comes down to personal preference.
conquer eels can live in fresh water too
Thanks Matt.... I am looking at the Sienna and Shaker 350 units - I was wondering to setup a discus biotope which one would be better ? I was moving more towards the shaker as it seems to be taller ?
Matt would you have to run the fluval series of filters on these tanks? Currently got pass biomaster on my aquascaper 900 but going forward I wouldn’t mind a nice neat larger tank and these look great! But I like the heater out the tank.
You could run any filter that's runs on 16mm piping or bigger on these tanks, which a biomaster will be.
A couple lengths of hose and four jubilee clips and you're sorted.
@@FishShopMatt cheers Matt, actually read that in your voice how odd. Keep up what your doing - been great seeing the progress. love the in depth look into the hobby and all the possibilities it brings.
Would love to see a bigger Sienna model,say 5 foot. .
I don't want it to become a theme of my comments but it always does fascinate me the difference in markets between the UK and the US. Fluval has a presence here but the tanks they expect to move the most of are their Spec and Flex lines. I suspect it's for two reasons. The two big chains here don't specialize in fish so a lot of their real estate is dedicated to their house brand stuff which sells for dirt cheap some of the time. And the local fish stores are all too small to house any tank this size and move it profitably.
I'd kill for a Maidenhead or something close to it.
You should do the thug shaker next
Matt, great review. Thanks. I've not seen the 91 gallon 345 liter in the US. Does anyone in the US reading this know if they sell it here? I've got my eyes on the 66 gallon, but the 91 g. would be a treat! Thanks! Scott
Pity it's not Optiwhite glass, I might have gone for one.
Great video!
Glad you enjoyed it
@@FishShopMatt of course!
Oh I forgot to ask about the super tiny fish that you have in the bowl fish aquarium. How are they doing?
Hard to get the Shaker here in the US. Wish Fluval would put them in Petco or Petsmart.
Fingers crossed fluval will see this and have a look at getting them there.
Hey Matt, I don't suppose you know whether an FX4 would fit in the cabinet of this tank? I don't have space for a larger tank but always like to go overkill on filtration.
I love Guns n Roses, I like Axl a lot…I also like aquariums, and like a lot of Axlotls….
Agree with you totally!
This might be a stupid question, but is that filter going through a hole in the glass or a pipe going up behind the aquarium and going in through the lid ?
Hi can you fit a fx 4 in the cabinet
I love your aquascape in that Fluval Shaker...it seems like a really great aquarium kit (I have two of their other smaller kits) but what is up with the name 'shaker'??
The name shaker comes from the design of the cabinet. It's an old style of cabinet nothing to do with fishkeeping.
weird. LOL! thanks mate, makes more sense now. @@FishShopMatt
You can change the times, colour intensity % etc, length of sunrise, sunset, night mode all in the auto function, much easier.
Mine come on at 12 and are fully on at 1, sunset at 9.30-10.30, night mode until 11.15 then off.
Oooo interesting I've always used the other mode. I will check that out.
@@FishShopMatt just tap on the sections under auto, sunrise, daylight, sunset and night
Hi Matt, I have a question. I have a 14 gallon Aqueon glass tank. I would like to use a hang on the back filter with this tank, but I don’t know which size or brand to get, do you have any suggestions? I want to make more room in my fish tank. Thanks for your help. I have been watching you with MD Fish Tanks and your channel Fish Shop Matt. I love both you guys.
Thanks again,
Mary E.
What’s the deal/your experience with the trim at the bottom of the shaker tank? Looks like a great trap for water to run down the front of the glass (when cleaning, etc.), get trapped, and warp and mold.
Thinking of changing to a fish only marine tank ,would the standard lights be ok?
My only complaint about the Fluval lights are they lack a way of saving the settings in the light itself when the power goes out. I love mine other than having to reconnect it to my phone when I lose power
Yeah I can understand that, a lot of lights lose their settings when you have a power cut.
For sure. The hygger light I have saves the programming but loses the time…
I love the Kasa wifi plugs for my other lights because it’s set it and forget it
will 345l be good enough for 6- 8 discus and 2 different types of schooling fish or be better with longer tanks, what you think?
Easy to build 10 minuten 20 minutes with my wife helping... LOL great one
She's not great with flat pack and openly admits it hahaha
Hi does anyone know how I can run a spray bar off the outlet pipe on this fluval shaker?. Thanks
My only issue is on my 168 is that the 207 is underpowered for the size of tank. Also feel the quality of cabinet is a little underwhelming.
Yeah a bigger filter is always better. The cabinet could be a bit better but then the price would go up so it's a tricky game.
I was going to say- there’s no way you built that in in 10 minutes! 😂😂😂
Hahahaha 😂
Great vid Matt!!
I have a question, I own a shaker 252L.
When I first got my shaker the front and back glass started to bow within 6 months of owning to the point I had to completely empty it and have it replaced for a brand new one.
I now have my replacement tank however I’ve noticed the front and back glass already bowing slightly.
I have it filled 3-4cm below the max fill sticker.
Is this normal and should it be something to worry about?
I have a fully planted tank with substrate, sand, rock, wood, plants etc..
Hmmmn I've never heard of one bowing, not to the extent of being noticeable anyway.
I would email fluval and use a big spirit level across the front pane to show how much it is bowing. I guess an amount of bowing is normal, but I've never replaced one of the tons we've sold.
Thanks for the advice Matt🙌
Are you likely to get any Star Sapphire Cichlid in your store?
Is this available in the US? I tried to use Fluval's website and they think I'm in Scottland!
Alan Partridge
Hahahaha hope you got home ok!
@@FishShopMatt All good on the way home. Great evening speaking to you. All the best!
Hey, Matt, I got a questhow long. Do axolottles live for and can you have Then mate and how long does it take
They can live anywhere up to 15 years. You can breed them fairly easy and mine breed every now and then. You don't really need to do anything special just keep them well fed and clean.
I really like Fluval products. I would love to have a new Fluval aquarium, the cabinet is so nice, and I love the way they are built. I was just watching the bit where you talk about the light settings, and it makes me wonder if my algae problem is because I have all the blue lights on (not Fluval brand lights). Maybe I should change the color mix. Also, if you know, or anyone else who might read this comment - I need to buy a 1,000w heater, but I have no idea what brand is good for that big of a heater. It doesn't seem like Fluval even makes them that big, and I don't want to get a bunch of smaller heaters because I won't have enough plugs. So, any recommendations? It's for heating 300 gallons outside in Florida. I won't need it all the time, but there will be cold snaps.
It certainly could be because of your blue lights, it would be worth turning them down and seeing what happens.
Big heaters like that I would only trust the big koi pond style heaters if you search for 1kw pond heater you will find lots of options. Unfortunately I don't have much experience with them other than big commercial units!
@@FishShopMatt Oh, thanks for the advice! It's really difficult to find anyone talking about keeping an outdoor pond warm in the winter. Most pond heaters are for keeping a hole in ice, but where I live I'm not worried about ice. lol
Have you tried the Siena set? What do you think of it?
How many pellets should I be feeding per axolotl with the NT labs pellets?
It's hard to say as sometimes they can slow down on feeding.
What I do is give them 3 or 4 each and if they eat quickly then I give more. If not I'll wait for the next day to give more.
Hi Matt, great video and explanation of the benefits of the Fluval Shaker. Not sure if they are available in Australia yet but you never know. During your video I strangely found myself fixated on the axolotls 😀to see if they would move, I didnt see much action from them, are they normally this quiet ? do they get more active during times of the day ? or when you feed them. I forgot to mention too, great scape 👌
Thank you! No axolotls are very slow and not very active. They get a bit more active around feeding time but still not overly active.
I think they are a great aquarium, but unfortunately not available here in Australia 🇦🇺
Fingers crossed one day!!!
Not bad, but too bulky and the wood look goes in and out of style. I prefer the look of the Roma or the Sienna.
I can understand that. Different styles for different people.
@@FishShopMatt yeah exactly, overall I love fluval tanks especially the ones with the through tank canister filters 👍
@@FishShopMattI ended up buying a 168l in the black friday sale. Love it. Thanks dude
Is it a pain to take the canister filter off while the tanks is full ? Is there something like the Oase filters where you can stop the flow?
Yeah absolutely all decent external filters have an aquastop valve to stop the water.
I didn't think my 107 had one and I thought the rest would be the same. It woulld certainly reduce the mess I make if it does@@FishShopMatt
@@MikeEBoy42 all 07 series filters have it. It’s the red lever where the pipes connect into the filter itself
@@oliverwatson3774 Thanks, I can see it now, so pleased I asked 😆
Ive been looking at the seabrae i think its called around £400 litres only around £700 anyone any info on that?
Here's what I don't like about the kit, they are always looking to upsell. Why can't they're be a kit with the fluval plant light and an FX series filter, and how about a heater with a temp probe and external thermostat (or better yet an external inline heater)?
Hey what's the floating plants u have?
It's water lettuce
Do you have issues with condensation and your floating plants?
Not really, I find as long as I open the lid once or twice a day to feed they do absolutely fine.
@@FishShopMatt Nice, good to know. Thank you 👍
You mention blue causing algae, does too much cause Blackbeard algae?
It can definitely help it grow
Hi, black hair alge, whats your way to deal with it?? Cheers
Depends what's causing it. Could be overfeeding, lighting, lack of flow.
Without knowing more info I would slow down on feeding, do more water changes, chop off as much of the algae infected leaves as possible, then start dosing a liquid carbon plant food.
@@FishShopMatt Thank you. Look forward to your next post. G
im surprised these particle board cabinets hold so much weight
As long as they are designed and constructed properly they are very strong.
@@FishShopMatt the legend replies! I agree. I just want zero risks haha
I wish you'd come look at my tank. I need your help so bad. I'd pay you. Just want a beautiful tank like yours but need your help
It's better to learn to do it yourself than have someone create it for you. If you learn then you have all the tools to look after it.