BiOrb never slated in magazines

[rich]

I was looking on a biorb box the other day, with a picture of several goldfish swimming around. I asked in the shop (feigning ignorance) whether that was a reasonable number to put in (not my lfs). Of course the answer was 'Yes'. It is only about 7 gallons (30 litres)!

My point though, is that fishkeeping magazines (both PFK and tropical fish) carry full page ads for BiOrbs and in any letters it is never pointed out that they are unsuitable for that many fish and you would be better investing the money in a proper tank. I guess regular full page ad suppliers are exempt from criticism - money counts!

 

[Crookster]

The bio-orb is actually a really good tank for tropicals. I've had one for over a year and it's great. It's really low maintenance, I do a water change every 3-4 weeks (I can here all the gasps) I check the parameters weekly and they are always spot on. It houses a range of small tetras and a bett, and I haven't lost one fish since it was cycled.

I agree that goldfish shouldn't be kept in it as they will obviously outgrow it, you could maybee put one in it.

Oh, and it 40 litres not 30 and has a really good filtration system, that combines a sort of UGF and bio filter. I have five tanks in total and the one that people always like best when they visit is the bio-orb, it's a good addition to the front room.

Don't knock it untill you've tried as they say.

 

[Paul_MTS]

Don't get me started!!

Some guy came in to work the other day slooking to upgrade his tank as he said he had 4 big goldfish in bi-orb i didn't think much of it as he was old and probable telling fishing stories exagerating the size!!

well he came back later in the day and bought the tank and me and a college went round to delivery after work i took the tank in and he was right!!

We had about 4 big goldfish aorund 6-7inch in a bi-orb with extremely cloudy water.

Unfortuanately he only upgraded to a Rekord 70 but atleast it's a bit better for them.

I don't think small tank shoudl be advertised for coldwaters at all. Kids end up buying common goldfish rather that fancies which would do a bit better.

They shoudl advetise the tropicals which survive in room temperature.

This is often what i suggest to customers rather than goldfish. As they had kids you can safely assume the house will be quite hot.

 

[julibob]

Oh, and it 40 litres not 30

I have a 30ltr biorb and I thought is was 30 ltrs. Is it 40?

Julia

 

[Paul_MTS]

there's 2 sizes of the bi-orb, ones quite a bit bigger.

 

[WILDER]

They are meant to be 6 gal arent they, 5 platys would probably be ok in it, but not much good for anything else.

 

[fufanu360]

rich you cant tlk, the tanks in your sig are entirely overstocked

 

[jacblades]

i remember a woman came in once and wanted to buy 4 goldfish. i aksed her what size tank she had and she said she was going to buy a 2 gallon tall tank.
i told her no way and she pointed to the picture on the front of the box which had six goldfish in it!
its ridiculous!
i did get her to upgrade to a 10gal (i know-which still isnt that great) and made her buy the smallest goldfish we had.

biorbs are very pretty but i would never put anyhting except for a few neons or other teeny tetras in one.

 

[OohFeeshy]

Yes I was thinking the same thing as fufanu360... 30L cold tank: 1 goldfish (Pablo), 1 fantail (Salvador), 1 blue oranda (Alfonse), 5 whiteclouds.... Not good. You tank is only as big as a biorb!

 

[rich]

Yes, I know my cold tank is overstocked. The original goldfish book I bought went on so many inches of fish per surface area. So I bought 3 little goldfish. It never mentioned growing!

Anyway I am currently trying to persuade my wife that we can have a bigger tank. But it will mean moving the wedding photo on display
"you love those bloody fish more than love me" was the reply when I first suggested it. I think she is slowly coming round.

 

[chishnfips]

Yes, I know my cold tank is overstocked. The original goldfish book I bought went on so many inches of fish per surface area. So I bought 3 little goldfish. It never mentioned growing!

Anyway I am currently trying to persuade my wife that we can have a bigger tank. But it will mean moving the wedding photo on display
"you love those bloody fish more than love me" was the reply when I first suggested it. I think she is slowly coming round.

women

 

[hellohefalump]

personally I'd never buy a biorb... if I had a spare 100-200 pounds or whatever they cost, I'd go on ebay and get myself a 40gal tank complete with stand, filters, heaters etc! I always buy the biggest tank I can afford because it's kinder to the fish. Yeah, you could keep tetras, bettas etc in them, but wouldn't your fishies be happier in a bigger tank? I think it's cruel to choose gimic over the happiness of your fish...

 

[jflowers]

Just for info, BiOrbs come in two sizes, 30l and 60l.

Jon

Oh and I dont like them either, but they are ok for some smaller tetras and some other small fish that don't need a large swimming area.

 

[OohFeeshy]

Since it's only really OK for a betta, I'd much rather buy a £5 11 litre tank or a £1.50 5 litre tank and use the rest for heater, deco, etc. Hell of a lot cheaper.

 

[jflowers]

Since it's only really OK for a betta, I'd much rather buy a £5 11 litre tank or a £1.50 5 litre tank and use the rest for heater, deco, etc. Hell of a lot cheaper.

Yep, much better idea.

Jon