Nano Tank Tropicals...

[phyto]

I've just bought my daughter a 25ltr biorb originaly for 2 goldfish but had a great idea of a pair of neon tetra's, what other type of tropicals with nice colours stay quite small?

Also i keep a reef tank and use Ro water, i guess i'll need to add some elements back into the water if used for fresh? what do you use ?

Thanks

 

[jayjay]

Neons are shoaling fish not suited to a tank that size.

RO mixed half and half with tap water should work.

 

[docbanzai]

I've just bought my daughter a 25ltr biorb originaly for 2 goldfish but had a great idea of a pair of neon tetra's, what other type of tropicals with nice colours stay quite small?

Also i keep a reef tank and use Ro water, i guess i'll need to add some elements back into the water if used for fresh? what do you use ?

Thanks

Hi,

I had a biOrb 60 tropical setup and found it hopeless for trops. I tried neons, platties, oto's and guppies. None of them enjoyed the experience. Keeping the biOrb clean and the water at an acceptable quality was nigh on impossible as the flitration system is poor to say the least. I tried replacing the air-pump with a much more effective (and quieter) one and replaced the supplied heater with a top-notch 200w (due to the fact that the supplied heater would not bring the temp over 18 deg C.)

My advice would be to stick to cold-water fish, like Golds, and keep the stocking level VERY low.

I'm really sorry to say this but biOrbs really are poor quality tanks even though they are expensive. In all my experience I've never had so much trouble. It now lives, empty, in my garage and I intend to fill it with soil and grow some plants in it for my conservatory. A sad end for a cool looking, but ultimately dissapointing, tank.

Sorry, but this tank was a big mistake for me I genuinely hope that it won't be for you or your daughter.

All the best,

DB

 

[jkrekord]

no offence but this gets on my nerves the constant slateing of bi orbs yes they have limited fish that are ok in them but i think if you get the right fish in them theyre great

 

[OohFeeshy]

That's the point (or one of many). There are no 'right fish'.

 

[docbanzai]

no offence but this gets on my nerves the constant slateing of bi orbs yes they have limited fish that are ok in them but i think if you get the right fish in them theyre great

I agree.

I am sure that there are many fishkeepers who are more than happy with their biOrbs.

I can only speak of MY experience with them. I purchased a 60L tank that was supposed to be suitable for tropical fish and found it unacceptable for that use.

I felt the same way when I bought the tank; biOrbs really can't be as bad as everyone says can they? I did a lot of research, I even contacted Reef One to get information and data-sheets, but, ultimately, fish died in that tank. Compare it to the Juwel, Rena and other, home-made, tanks that I either have now, or have had in the past and not a single fish has been lost. Not one.

In my opinion biOrbs are NOT suitable for tropical fish.

I am genuinely sorry if my opinion upsets you, as you obviously have had more sucess than I. You have had good experiences, I have had bad. It was certainly not my intention to 'constantly slate' biOrbs, I was merely trying to give advice. I shall certainly refrain from doing so in the furture.

Regards,

DB

 

[jkrekord]

i actual have no experience of bi orbs YET but i no a lot of people who ahve been fairly succesful with them...for a lone fish such as a dwarf puffer they are more than adequate

 

[Lynden]

In the magazine "Practical Fishkeeping", one of the writers reccomended nine White Cloud Mountain Minnows for a biOrb. They sort of resemble neon tetras...

-Lynden

 

[OohFeeshy]

I wouldn't say WCMM, they are just as active as danios, which need a 2ft tank +, so why should they be any different?

25l BiOrb would problably end up as nearer 20 once you've taken away substrate space etc. Perhaps a trio of cherry barbs?

 

[ridewake210]

would not recomend goldfish and neons. i have a goldfish. about 3 inchs. and it has been eating my neons. had ten and 6 disapeared over night. no guts anywhere filter/tank etc.. goldfish and neons. NO NO

 

[jayjay]

Goldfish are coldwater, neons are tropical = shouldn't be kept together. Yes goldfish do eat small fish so don't be shocked.

 

[OohFeeshy]

Besides which, I wouldn't keep any goldfish even in the biggest Bi-orb, due to the shape and stupid filtration thingy in the middle, space is limited, and the smallest varieties are far too delicate (eg, bubble eyes don't mix with the stupid ceramic media).

 

[smurfyy_2k3]

i would put a betta in there it would be perfectly fine

 

[rob newland]

I kept goldfish in my biorb for two years, and getting the algae off was impossible so it just went completely green (I emptied it yesterday and had to use washing liquid to get it off!). The filter in it was absolutely terrible and I am now glad not to have to worry about it any more.