Biorb

[sarah40011]

ive just been given a small biorb, its pretty scratched up, not sure if its going to be any good yet. my mother in law said its got these rocks with it that you have to use. they look quite ugly is this true i can only use these? any info would be helpful ive searched them quickly but not found out much about them.

 

[Tizer]

The rocks hold the beneficial bacteria, they are your "media" and are vital to the operation of the biorb system. You will have to cycle it like all tanks until the bacteria have established on the rocks and its safe to put fish in. Personally i would chuck it in the bin, but thats because im not a fan of the biorb filtration. I think its more trouble than its worth

 

[KkAaNnEe]

Is it a baby biorb? Please dont put any fish in it if it is

 

[fluttermoth]

Would make a nice shrimp tank though.

 

[ATK!!!]

Would make a nice shrimp tank though.

+1!

I bought a Biube (35l) and even that isn't very good. If it is a Baby Biorb then it isn't really advisable to put fish in there as it is rather small. However you could still have a very nice shrimp tank. If you do have a Biorb 30l or e becven 60l then this will be marginally better but still not great. You could keep a Siamese fighter fish (aka a Betta) in there quite happily or a number of smaller fish.

 

[sarah40011]

no fish, i was going to look into those tiny micro crabs... as i said im not sure on it yet its too close to that horrible image of a goldfish going round and round a fish bowl... def wouldnt put anything fish like in there with those nasty sharp rocks. crabs might like it tho maybe. ive already got enough shramp im my other tank they breed like wild fire!

 

[fluttermoth]

I was looking at those tiny crabs for my son's Edge; they sound too good to be true, don't they?! I's like to talk to someone who's had them first!

 

[StandbySetting]

I had some a few years ago, it was £28 for 5 imported from Germany, they will readily breed in freshwater but will be eaten by anything that has a big enough mouth, if you want to read further on them they're called Thai Micro Crabs.

 

[fluttermoth]

Yes, Kesgrave have them.
Ddo they really not need any land? And what's the best food/suitable tank mates/tank size?

 

[StandbySetting]

They're fully aquatic, but breeding can be difficult as certain conditions are required, they feed on most food, they just pick up food in the same way shrimp do, I'd keep them in anything that has a volume of 1 gallon or more. They are more active at lower temperatures (22-25oC) and the best tank mates are as before those that can't eat them, and that are suitable with the temperatures.

 

[fluttermoth]

Thanks for that, that's very helpful

 

[sarah40011]

some further research into these for me, my son will love them too (hes nearly 3)
biorb has no plug... think its doomed.

 

[fluttermoth]

Replacing plugs is easy! Next door neighbour?

 

[MBOU]

Is it missing plug really? They usually come with an adaptor that is easily available from any petshop/aquatic store that sells biOrbs?!

They usually have a long white/clear cable with a small metal pin plug that goes into a black square adaptor that has 2 plug ins, one for light, one for air pump

White Cloud Mountain Minnows are "common" but if you look long enough in highly stocked shop tanks and pick out a male or two and a female or two, they will look awesome with some micro crabs!

Male WCMMs have beautiful yellow/white tips to the fins that they flash as part of a display to each other over females, looks brilliant, i love these fish!

So common yet so underrated!

 

[sarah40011]

i live in great dunmow, its best not to talk to your neighbours !
plug is found and winging its way over tomorrow... getting excited now will look into the crabs tomorrow. hope they are available in this area. would a fish store order them if not?

Is it missing plug really? They usually come with an adaptor that is easily available from any petshop/aquatic store that sells biOrbs?!

They usually have a long white/clear cable with a small metal pin plug that goes into a black square adaptor that has 2 plug ins, one for light, one for air pump

White Cloud Mountain Minnows are "common" but if you look long enough in highly stocked shop tanks and pick out a male or two and a female or two, they will look awesome with some micro crabs!

Male WCMMs have beautiful yellow/white tips to the fins that they flash as part of a display to each other over females, looks brilliant, i love these fish!

So common yet so underrated!

more great stuff to look into! thanks