First aquarium advice - BiOrb?

Author
Discussion

Zippee

Original Poster:

13,545 posts

240 months

Thursday 12th April 2018
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Hi all, I know theres a fair few aquarium people on here and I want some advice on a small set up I want.
After much badgering the wife who is adamant she doesn’t want one I have agreed a compromise to a small 30l aquarium, as long as it is also reasonably modern looking.
As such we are looking at something like these;
https://www.amazon.co.uk/biOrb-Tube-White-LED-lit-...
https://www.amazon.co.uk/biOrb-Square-Water-White-...

What are BiOrb like? Are they any different to other cheaper style aquariums? It would only be a small number of small fish (tetras/guppies). I believe BiOrb require a new filter cartridge every month?

Tyre Smoke

23,018 posts

267 months

Thursday 12th April 2018
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I've got a sixty litre Biorb. I've had it for about six or seven years. In that time it's had to have two heaters - non Biorb replacements are best.

I have also been a bit lax in changing the filter, the fish don't seem to mind too much, going as much as three months between changes.

Good tank for a start up.

Lazermilk

3,523 posts

87 months

Thursday 12th April 2018
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No experience with BiOrb but just to mention, guppies are live breeders, we got some when we got our tank and it didn't take long for the first batch of babies to arrive...

Just wanted to mention in case you weren't aware, maybe cause issues with a smaller tank if you end up with a lot more fish than you expected! wink

How about the Siamese fighting fish?
Could have one of these in a smaller tank with certain other smaller fish for company, our local fish shop said as long as the other fish don't have big fins/tails like them, then they shouldn't fight them. Not sure how hard they are to keep as a beginner though, but they look really nice.

eybic

9,212 posts

180 months

Thursday 12th April 2018
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Aquarium forums will be your best bet, a lot of people have issues with some Bio Orb set ups though, I think it's due to their size or fish being sucked into filters etc., a great site for stocking advice is this one: http://aqadvisor.com/

Enter your dimensions and filter spec, you can then choose what and how many fish you want and it will advise on how stocked it will be and how much water you should change and how often.

832ark

1,234 posts

162 months

Friday 13th April 2018
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Biorbs are terrible due to their low surface area. Unfortunately 30 litres is completely unsuitable for fish. The minimum you should be looking at is a 60 litre regularly shaped tank, this will be suitable for a small selection of small tropicals. Read up on cycling the tank, this will take approx 6 weeks before you can add fish, do not believe what the fish shops tell you.

Jag_NE

3,072 posts

106 months

Friday 13th April 2018
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i looked at a biorb for my son but ended up opting for a starter kit at my local indy, bought an upgraded filter since. i decided on it largely because i wanted to be able to tap in for support if i needed any. the chain places are likely not experts in the field.