Fluval Edge 46L Or Biorb Life 60L

[Iwantsomefish]

Good evening,

This is my very first post,

I'd like to start keeping fish as a pet and have been considering tanks.

Due to lack of wall space in the lounge I need a tank that will sit
safely on my sideboard (i.e don't want one too big as it will weigh too
much for the sideboard to support it).

I would like something aesthetically pleasing and therefore would
appreciate comments / opinions on the two possible tanks above.

I am yet to decide if I want to go the cold or tropical route...

I am interested in other's experiences with both of these, good
points/bad points, advice on fish I could keep in them etc etc. All
thoughts/advice of interest and appreciated.

Thank you

 

[fluttermoth]

Edge; bad points; inadequate filtration, poor surface area, difficult to hide heater, difficult to maintain, can have only a relatively poor stocking for the volume of water
           good points; looks alright, if looks are more important than fish...
 
BiOrb; bad points; poor filtration, poor surface area, very hard to add a heater, substrate is not easily changeable (so all bottom dwelling fish are out) again, little surface area for volume, which limits stocking, round shape badly distorts view of fish
         ; good points, looks alright, if you don't want to see your fish properly...
 
I would go with a decent, 'open topped' (obviously you want a lid, but you want one you can remove), rectangular tank; much better for fish and makes maintenance much easier

 

[doresy]

Hi and welcome.
 
First just to say not in love with either of your choices but that's just a personal thing.
 
My input (having just brought one as a fry tank) is one of the Aqua One Nano tanks could be worth a look for you. I like them as they come in a range of capacities, all have light, heater and massive amount of filter media for the size of tank. The best part is that all the equipment is hidden behind a black back to the tank (so no worry about a background.) Then there is the price, very reasonable! (I got my Nano 30 for under £40 complete when Pets@Home had an offer on)
 
Here they are......   http/www.aquaone.co.uk/aquanano.php

 

[MBOU]

Edge filtration isnt too bad really, you just shouldnt overstock tank its got a high turnover, good flow and being a hang on the back you can mess about with the media, add more biomedia, add phosphate or nitrate removers etc etc.
 
I used the Evolution Aqua Pure balls in the left hand side and an extra little square of Polyfilter sponge that strips ALL nasties out the water, ran the tank as basic marine tank with that filter like that too with no problems (though dont advise everyone does it!).
 
Biorbs... well Flutter just about covered all their good points there plus you will need to buy a new pipe and new non return valve and as a result of first one failing as it will, you'll need to buy a new air pump too...
 
Also a agree the regular shaped tanks are best by long way but out of edge or biorb.... edges win! especially the bigger one!

 

[fluttermoth]

Edge filtration isnt too bad really, you just shouldnt overstock tank

its got a high turnover, good flow and being a hang on the back you can mess about with the media, add more biomedia, add phosphate or nitrate removers etc etc.

I just know we struggle with my son's Edge's filter, although his is the 23l version; I don't know if the filter's bigger/better in the 46l one.
 
I do quite like the Edge, but it's not something I'd recommend for a newbie to the hobby. It's a very tricky tank to work on, and I can imagine it could be quite disheartening, if you didn't already know what you were doing, IMO.

 

[Paradise3]

Out of the two, I personally would pick the Edge 46ltr as I was planning to get one myself. The only problem is that you can't remove the top glass, as far as I know, and so to clean algae or whatever off the inside glass you need to stick your hand and arm through a small square at the top which can be awkward. A good tank for you would be an Aqua One Aquastart 320T It's a small but decent 36l tank with filter and, I think, heater included that's not usually too expensive. Another one that I'd recommend, though I'm not sure of the price and it may be expensive, is the Aqua One Xpression 32. It's 32l so still small and shouldn't be too heavy for your side board if you were planning a 46l