Biorb Tanks?

[pinksugababe69]

Hey all,
Was debating whether or not to buy a BiOrb or a Baby BiOrb tank but I’m not sure if there any good? Being new to the world of fish, I do not know what sort of filters/pumps/lights/heaters etc to use so I thought the BiOrb would be an easy option. Also I do not have that much room for a tank?

Any advice would be much appreciated

 

[shelaghfishface]

if space permits get a "proper" tank for the price you pay for a Biorb you can get a good second hand rectangle tank and your options will be much wider

 

[pinksugababe69]

if space permits get a "proper" tank for the price you pay for a Biorb you can get a good second hand rectangle tank and your options will be much wider

Well thats what I was thinking. I wouldnt know where to start with filters an lights and things though?

 

[shelaghfishface]

well you could start by deciding what size of tank you would like, then choose an appropriate filter ( they are usually marked with LPH- ideally you want about 5-7x Litres Per Hour of the volume of your tank) so ideally a 100 litre would have a 500lph/+ etc etc

if you go the second hand route, you will often find that you can get an extremley good complete setup from the likes of ebay, lighting is usually included as is filtration, you could always upgrade at a later day tho when you decide you know what you want,
to be quite honest i wouldnt go buying brand new as what sometimes happens is people buy new tanks, the fish die due to lack of knowledge then they get fed up and sell the tank, so deffo bargains to be had

if you have specific Q`s dont hesitate to ask

shelagh xxx

 

[AdAndrews]

noooooo, dont do it!! biorbs are rubbish, no space, rubbish filters, little aeration, fish looks distorted, poor lighting, the list goes on.. for the money you could buy a lovely "normal" tank, if you are considering about a biorb, may i suggest something like the tetra aqua art 30, or 60, or the arcadia 35litre. all lovely smart tanks, that the fish will prefer much more

good luck

 

[shelaghfishface]

noooooo, dont do it!! biorbs are rubbish, no space, rubbish filters, little aeration, fish looks distorted, poor lighting, the list goes on.. for the money you could buy a lovely "normal" tank, if you are considering about a biorb, may i suggest something like the tetra aqua art 30, or 60, or the arcadia 35litre. all lovely smart tanks, that the fish will prefer much more

good luck

i feel i should add that both me and Adam own Biorbs so we deffo know what we are talking about they are not bad tanks, its just that they leave very few options for stocking, like he says the filters are naff, they are not plug n play as you may be lead to belive

 

[ellena]

I bought a bowl style tank as my first, and though I don't completely regret it, I wish I'd done what you have and come on here first.
I'd recommend a rectangular tank-gives a bigger volume and easier to access for setting up etc. Also have a larger footprint for bottom dwellers.
Rectangular doesn't have to mean boring though-as AdAndrews says, the arcadia arc, the aqua qube, the hexagonal tanks, all look good but are still practical.
I have recently got a hexagonal 25l for £12.50 and a 40l aqua qube for £10 from eBay. If you go to the fish tanks bit, select used, then select distance from your home, you can save that search and keep an eye on what's available. You won't have to wait long to find something to suit you.
And this forum will help you if you get one you need to kit out. I know the world of aquarium kit is overwhelming, but there are some very helpful people on here

 

[thefaxmachine]

I think space and being a newbie are two reasons why people choose the BiOrb bowl-esq tanks.

I have absolutely no problem with BiOrbs at all. As said above, the choices of stocking the tanks are limited and not as varied as a bog standard glass/rectangular type.

I have a Baby Biorb, I didn't buy it brand new but brought it off Gumtree for just £5 - YES, A FIVER! At that price I just couldn't refuse the temptation. I have it up and running as a coldwater tank with a few Water Cloud Mountain Minnows - it fitted and sits fabulously on a shelf in my lounge!

I also have a BiOrb Life 60 - which is a wonderful tank. It defo has the "wow" factor and is very easy to maintain (with the exception of getting to the filter). My fish have all been thriving! Its my favourite out of all my five tanks.

As mentioned, do your research as to what you want from your tank. I will however put money on it that you won't be satisfied with a small BiOrb - because as soon as you have it up, cycled and running you'll want something bigger... and even bigger... and even bigger... until the boyfriend tells me I love the fish more than I love him!

(Oops, is that just me?!)

 

[shelaghfishface]

i agree they are nice tanks, can be made to look stunning, BUT problem is that people think that beacuse they are just starting out a little tank like that is all they need, when fact of the matter is the larger the better, if you can get a 4ft then do it as more room for mistakes..
and deffo agree about the wanting more

 

[MrWhite]

I have a 60 liter biorb had for 6months never had a problem with it the only thing i hate about it is you cant see ya fish in them cos there round im not knocking them though but standard rectangle tanks are much better IMO

 

[doktor doris]

The thing that I find appealing about biorbs is the ease with which one could add a marine conversion kit, and then keep something really interesting like sea hares, or even nudibranchs, if the correct food could be found.

Boy, do I love nudibranchs!