Are Biorbs That Bad?

[Junior Gent]

Hi all

Ive just started a fish-less cycle of my biorb life 30 litre (the squre type). And thanks to the great advice of people within the forum i have finally decided on stocking a tank that suits myself and the fish in the tank. Im going for a halfmoon betta, 3 endler males and a couple of shrimp. But so many people on here frown on the biorbs? Are they that difficult to keep fish in? Surely there are people on here with success stories they could share so its not all negative for us newbie biorb keepers.

JG

P.S thanks again for your support so far

 

[Lufbramatt]

I think they're fine as long as the limitations of the system are realised. The hard ceramic filter media in the bottom means fish such as cories shouldn't be kept as it will lead to them damaging their barbels and getting infections, and they need to be cycled to mature the filter in the same way as any other tank. Due to the small water volume and limited filter efficiency to bioload should be kept low. Sounds like your on the right track with a fishless cycle and planned stocking though

I think that some of the dislike of the system comes from the way they are sold to beginners as a "one stop" system, when if you're not as fussed about making a design statement you can get tanks such as the Juwel Record range that are much cheaper yet much more future-proof and have a bigger water volume which makes the aquarium more stable and easier to look after long-term. A 110 litre juwel record can be had for £130 including lights, fitler and heater whereas the Biorb life 30 is about £175.

 

[onidrase]

I honestly don't like all these fancy designer style tanks, which includes bio orb products.

They're not very efficient, they cost a lot of money, and they limit your stocking pretty drastically due to the small volume and awkward dimensions.

You can't change the substrate because that's where beneficial bacteria will hide with their systems (which is kinda gross) and adding decorations for shelter or live plants would seem like a hassle.

People don't like bio orbs not necessarily because they're junk, but because, as said above, they're costly and not very efficient. But if you're happy to pay 100 or so dollars on a tank where you can hold maybe a betta or a school of micro rasboras, more power to you, at least it's not a betta bowl or something, (those junky plastic containers that hold like a quarter gallon.) but honestly, you can get a more efficient system with your money than that. I've been starting up a 20 gallon long tank (which IMHO is the best model for a beginner aquarist) and have not even reached the 60 dollar mark yet. Sure, it's no fancy designer tank, but with a good aquascape and tender loving care, those rectangles put any of those expensive small tanks to shame.

 

[FishFanatic04]

I think that since you are realistic about the capacity of your Biorb, you will be happy with it. Not overstocking it and understanding the maintenance you need to do is the important part. I have a cheapo 3.5 gallon tank for my Betta and while it's a great home for him right now...It's really an awful thing to look at.

 

[raptorrex]

Hi all

Ive just started a fish-less cycle of my biorb life 30 litre (the squre type). And thanks to the great advice of people within the forum i have finally decided on stocking a tank that suits myself and the fish in the tank. Im going for a halfmoon betta, 3 endler males and a couple of shrimp. But so many people on here frown on the biorbs? Are they that difficult to keep fish in? Surely there are people on here with success stories they could share so its not all negative for us newbie biorb keepers.

JG

P.S thanks again for your support so far

they are no use for tropical . and too small for temperate fish like goldfish.
but i guess a few mountain minnows would be fine. but Endlers and shrimp? not really.

 

[BiorbVexed]

Hi all

Ive just started a fish-less cycle of my biorb life 30 litre (the squre type). And thanks to the great advice of people within the forum i have finally decided on stocking a tank that suits myself and the fish in the tank. Im going for a halfmoon betta, 3 endler males and a couple of shrimp. But so many people on here frown on the biorbs? Are they that difficult to keep fish in? Surely there are people on here with success stories they could share so its not all negative for us newbie biorb keepers.

JG

P.S thanks again for your support so far

I was so pleased to find this very informative forum! Too bad I didn't find three years ago - I might have saved myself a LOT of aggravation and avoided the BiOrb altogether

Oh, well. Too late for that now. I have one, and I want to learn how to make it work well. This is not my first aquarium; I've had community tanks over the years since I was a kid. I started with a little 10 gallon set up, and moved into bigger ones as time went by and I moved into bigger apartments/houses. Most recently I decided I wanted to put something small and attractive in a dark corner of my dining room - and saw that BiOrb. It was neat! And it fit that corner so perfectly - until I started working with the thing.

 

[Tizer]

I was so pleased to find this very informative forum! Too bad I didn't find three years ago - I might have saved myself a LOT of aggravation and avoided the BiOrb altogether

You wish you had avoided them, but now you want to have a go at one.

How odd.