Biorb 60

[Kirt]

I've been looking around at fish tanks recently, and came across the BiOrb range, and was wondering if they are worth the expensive price tag. Does anyone on the site have a BiOrb and if so what do you have in it?

 

[jennybugs]

Yes they are worth it in my opinion Looking around for a good price on evilbay whether it's new or second hand is always worth it

I have dwarf puffers in mine BUT it's fairly modified. I have had lots of different fish in there when it was standard but the main trick with them is to stick JUST to slim bodied fish that don't grow big!
If you chuck a goldfish or big fish in it you will have problems at some time or another. Tetras, minnows, dwarf gourami, male livebearers, some barbs, rasboras etc can be kept in these tanks providing you cycle them properly without fish first and then stock slowly and go by the 1cm of adult fish length per litre of water scenario.

Have a look at my siggy 1st link to see pics of my biorbs

 

[petertr]

They get a terrible write-up on these forums. Not sure why, sure someone will be along soon to explain

 

[jennybugs]

I think it's because they are limiting - to what you can have in them and the access to the tanks.

The ceramic media that comes with it is a great filtration aid but looks awful (imho) and is a pain the *ss to clean. I have had gravel in mine and also now modified it for sand. I had gravel in my 30L and baby biorb and biube too.

The instructions that come with the tanks are awful (imho) and they STILL suggest these tanks would be fine for fancy goldfish which is SO wrong!

If you get the stock right, maintain it well and have the appropriate plants in there (anubias, moss balls, java fern that sort of thing) then these tanks can prove very successful. I know I've had one of each running for ages with healthy happy fish in them

 

[rabbut]

A good stylish tank, but with a poor filter and surface area for gas exchange. They are a nice set-up and can work if you are aware of those two major flaws, and follow Jennybug's advise of sticking to smaller low-waste fish and a light (perhapse lighter idealy than Jenny surgests) stocking, to compensate. Overstock or keep messy fish and it will not cope with it. They are all also too small for anything of any reasonable size...

All in all, nice looking tanks, but poor filters...

The is no reason as to why you cannot use a conventional heater in one, but it will be a real eye-sore.

All the best
Rabbut

 

[wendywc]

I'm not a fan of them. I don't like the distoration of a round tank; I think they are ugly. Plus they are too pricey and small for my tastes as well.

But it is all what you like, not me.

 

[jennybugs]

I love the fact that they magnify your fish so you get to see them really well Definately very much down to personal choice though, I have to agree! Love them or loather them I think - the new BiOrb Life tanks aren't to my liking but I wouldn't throw one back if someone gave me one free

With regard to stocking there's not rule says you must fill up to the limits I've understocked my orbs and ubes I have to say though.

 

[Tropicoll]

Sorry for the hijack

Assuming that you're aware of the huge limitations of these tanks (thanks for the unbiased info by the way!), could you run one of these as a Q tank?

 

[Corleone]

Personally, I like my quarantine tanks to have strong filtration and good surface area (in the case that you need to medicate, you want good gas exchange because many medicines reduce oxygen levels). Also, you don't really want to spend much on a quarantine tank - a standard 5 or 10 gallon glass tank can be set up much cheaper than any model biorb.

 

[jennybugs]

Sorry for the hijack

Assuming that you're aware of the huge limitations of these tanks (thanks for the unbiased info by the way!), could you run one of these as a Q tank?

You can pick them up cheap second hand if you look hard enough and I see no reason why they couldn't be a QT tank depending on what fish you want to hold in them and what size you were thinking of. A 30L might be ok for smaller fish. I ran a 30L as a hospital tank and keep one as a spare now for such purposes - not that I have had to use it for that.

If you were thinking of bottom feeders I'd say no though as the footprint is small on all the tanks.

The good comment about large surface area is one to highly consider when it comes to a QT tank just as specified!

 

[Tropicoll]

Thanks guys - it was just a thought. I'll go get me a cheapie 5/10 g then

 

[aaronnorth]

the biube is better as it has a larger surface area for gaseous exchange, i still didnt like it though, no point in having a tank if it distorts the image, fish look huge all the time

 

[jennybugs]

The biube does not have a larger surface area than a 60L biorb. If it does then you have the biorb filled up too much.