Biorb

[kassy360]

Anyone tried the new BiOrb tankls that are out? I have a simple male betta in a 1 gallon bowl I have had some time now. Was considering a BiOrb with maybe another small fish or 2. Any thoughts?

 

[Boxermom]

Biorbs are okay for bettas and other labyrinth fish, as they don't need oxygen in the water. Not good for any other type of fish though, as there is very little surface area, so less gas exchange which means less oxygen in the water for them.

 

[thrallwoods]

I know it's been a month since you posted, so am probably too late with this reply, but thought I'd add my thoughts in case there's anyone else out there considering a biOrb:

I bought a Baby biOrb a few weeks ago for my male betta, & overall have been pleased: it looks very nice, my betta seems to think it a huge improvement over the 2 gal tank he'd been living in. A few things to consider, however:

1. They say not to use regular aquarium gravel, only their propriety ceramic media -- I don't know why, wouldn't mind hearing some feedback on this! It does come with the aquarium, & can't imagine you'd have to replace it very often, if at all.

2. The opening at the top is quite small -- one arm in at a time (on the Baby size, at any rate)! If you're planning on artificial plants, get the kind that are self-weighted; IOW, you don't want to have to fill the bases of fake plants with the ceramic media provided to weigh them down, for 2 reasons: first, the ceramic pieces are too large to be very effective (don't really fit in the plant base); and second, it's VERY difficult to do one-handed when the media provided doesn't really work! I spent several minutes getting one plant situated, just to have it knocked out of place when I tried to place the second one. One reason this is so trying is that you can only place the media (read, gravel) around the outside edge of the biOrb, so as not to block the filter.

3. I find it rather difficult to siphon/vacuum. I wound up buying one of those siphons with a bulb pump on it to get it going (hasn't arrived yet, so hopefully that will solve that problem!).

4. I live in the Houston area & it's been quite warm (unbearably hot, actually) since I moved my betta to the biOrb, so water temp has been stable around 79°-80°; but come winter I will need to add a heater. I anticipate having to buy the proprietary mount and most likely the heater (we'll see) made especially for the biOrb.

5. You'll probably have to buy their proprietary filter replacements. I know some people actually put together their own simple filters, but I don't feel I'm that savvy yet; nor have I really taken a good look at the thing to see how it's constructed. If you're insecure like me, you'll wind up spending $$ on replacement supplies made especially for the biOrb.

6. I have clamped the aeration tube for a very gentle aeration; otherwise it's a bit too vigorous for my betta's taste! (yes, they do provide aeration).

Taking all of that into consideration, I am still enjoying my biOrb. It looks lovely (which is the reason I bought it, as my old tank — besides being too small — was an ugly thing I didn't like having on display); my betta seems to like it (especially since he's now got more plants to hide in & rest on).

Hope this helps!

 

[dizzied]

About the gravel bit, I believe the Biorb uses it as the filter media, like an undergravel filter. The ceramic media would hold more beneficial bacteria than regular gravel.

 

[bevS97]

4. I live in the Houston area & it's been quite warm (unbearably hot, actually) since I moved my betta to the biOrb, so water temp has been stable around 79°-80°; but come winter I will need to add a heater. I anticipate having to buy the proprietary mount and most likely the heater (we'll see) made especially for the biOrb.

I have the Baby BiOrb and the Heater kit packaged as the 'Biorb' heater. Inside is a plastic stand which is actually too big for the baby biorb, and a very large heater. I am actually new to this forum because I was searching for heater advice. The heater I purchased is very large and unsightly and it doesn't fit on the stand, I just have it floating in the tank. I also think it's too powerful for such a small tank, I have it turned right down to it's lowest level.

 

[omen666]

I have the Biorb 60 litre which is the biggest one they do at the moment I think, and I just love it ! I do wish it had better lighting though and it always looks a bit hazy and it hurts my eyes when I look at it I have a shrimp and 2 pygmy corys and 3 female guppies and one male guppy in this tank , the guppies breed like mad in it and then I transfer them into my Vision 180. It is hard to vacum the bottom so I just stir it up a bit and then suck it all up.

I have no complaints with mine and the better part is I bought it from a works colleague for £20 He was moving and did not want to take it with him ..so I snatched it up.

 

[PaPeRo]

Biorbs are okay for bettas and other labyrinth fish, as they don't need oxygen in the water. Not good for any other type of fish though, as there is very little surface area, so less gas exchange which means less oxygen in the water for them.

Actually the air stone from the UGF provide plenty of surface agitation so you can keep regular fish in it too without any problem as long as you only have 1 or 2 fish. I've never heard of any people who own Biorbs with fish gasping for air. In fact I've never heard of goldfish gasping for air in a fish bowl which are worse than the Biorbs.

Also labyrinth fish takes oxygen from the air AND the water.

Anyway IMO the Biorbs are overpriced for what you get and the proprietary accessories are overpriced too. They do look nice but so can standard nano-tanks like these.

http/www.drsfostersmith.com/product/Prod...2004+62760+2035

http/www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod...=2004+2035+2020

 

[Callum]

I agree biorbs look nice but the pricetag is far too high. They say to use biological media instead of gravel as it is a far better biological medium than gravel.

 

[OohFeeshy]

For the price of a Biorb you could easily get a new tank at least twice the size, with a decent shape, or a very big second hand tank. Not worth it IMO, they're pains in the backsides and not much use at all for fish.