Biorb Substrate...

[docbanzai]

Hi all,

Have a biOrb 60 Tropical (no laughing please) and I hate that awful ceramic media that comes with it. I know that it supposedly forms part of the biological filter of the tank, but has anyone used a different substrate in these tanks with any success? I'm considering changing it for the pea-sized gravel that I use in my main tank (although it's not used as art of the filter in that tank.)

Any comments?

Cheers,

DB

 

[Iron Man]

Though I don't have one, I'm a fan of those tanks....think they look really great.

I would think any type of gravel/rock/sand substrate will form lots of beneficial bacteria, especially with adequate water circulation.

 

[docbanzai]

Though I don't have one, I'm a fan of those tanks....think they look really great.

I would think any type of gravel/rock/sand substrate will form lots of beneficial bacteria, especially with adequate water circulation.

Yeah I think so too, but the manufacturer doesn't recommend it (but then they wouldn't would they )

biOrbs do look cool but as a useful tropical tank? I'm not so sure....

Thanks for the reply,

DB.

 

[Squid]

Its the surface area that would worry me a bit..

How do they filter... is that a reason for their substrate?

 

[docbanzai]

Its the surface area that would worry me a bit..

How do they filter... is that a reason for their substrate?

Yep, it's basically a UGF driven by an (incredibly noisy) airpump. There is also a combined sponge & carbon filter cartridge which is replaced every 1-2 months (at £5 a go )

 

[Dubby]

Its the surface area that would worry me a bit..

How do they filter... is that a reason for their substrate?

Yep, it's basically a UGF driven by an (incredibly noisy) airpump. There is also a combined sponge & carbon filter cartridge which is replaced every 1-2 months (at £5 a go )

That explains it. They are maximising the use of the substrate for growing the bacterial colony - similar to the way we would use ceramic media in a filter.

You could do away with the £5 filter cartridge and use your own sponge(s) cut to size. Might even be able to put some ceramic media in the filter (assuming there is space)

 

[docbanzai]

That explains it. They are maximising the use of the substrate for growing the bacterial colony - similar to the way we would use ceramic media in a filter.

You could do away with the £5 filter cartridge and use your own sponge(s) cut to size. Might even be able to put some ceramic media in the filter (assuming there is space)

Great minds... Funnily enough I was just reading a DIY thread about making your own filters, and the little grey cells were whirring away when your reply popped up! I think that may well be a damn good idea. I'll salvage my next replaced cartridge and have a play! I'll dump the carbon granules and substitute some re-shaped sponges that I use in my Juwel... With a bit of tinkering I may be able to create a double-decker filter that works better than the original. Hmmm... Food for thought...

Thanks for the idea!

DB.

 

[vrs999]

I had a biube for 6 months and never bought a new filter, just squeeze the old sponge out in dirty tank water at a water change, saves a few quid and add new carbon.

Id be wary of changing the substrate for anything finer as the filter sucks water through the substrate at the bottom, anything too fine and you will loose filtration. A better bet might be to just add a layer of gravel over the top of the substrate. I dont miss it though its a bugger to plant anything in.

Also i recommend a different pump, i had an interpet av1 on mine and it was nice and quiet and increased filtration. Another cause of noise is a dirty airstone so id recommend changing that every month. you can buy packs of hagen airstones for about £1.20 which are the same as the biorb ones but much cheaper, you just pull out the plastic airline adaptor

 

[docbanzai]

Also i recommend a different pump

Amen to that, I was planning on getting a small Rena pump this weekend.

I have considered putting a layer of gravel over the supplied substrate, but I suspect that it would end up falling through (as that damn ceramic stuff is so light) and just end up on the bottom anyway.

So far I've had to replace the pathetic heater and have considered getting an external filter for it! Seeing as biOrbs cost so much in the first place, I can't help but feel that it would've been cheaper to get a nano reef!

I do wish that Wifey had picked a more sensible tank *sigh*. She chose it and now I have to look after it... And I was quite happy with my little Juwel and my manic Tigers!

Thanks for the advice though !

DB.

 

[vrs999]

HeHe, i know it well, the missus would only let me get a biube/biorb as she liked the look, they can be good but are a bit fiddly. In the end i convinced her otherwise and bought a secondhand rio180 for less than the biube cost brand new

 

[docbanzai]

HeHe, i know it well, the missus would only let me get a biube/biorb as she liked the look, they can be good but are a bit fiddly. In the end i convinced her otherwise and bought a secondhand rio180 for less than the biube cost brand new

Trust me.... I'm working on it....

 

[vrs999]

good luck mate, take her for a nice meal

 

[OohFeeshy]

I'd imagine you could use anything you could use a normal UGF with. Not as if you'd loose a great deal of bacteria, the amount of stocking you can have in a tank that size and shape should be able to live without the ceramic substrate.

 

[Iron Man]

That was my thinking too.....the ceramic surface not being very critical as opposed to the stocking level you're going to have anyway.

 

[Herbert]

Hi,

I got bought a Biorb for xmas bymy partner as a surprise. It was definately that!! I removed 50% of the ceramic media and replaced with gravel to enable me to plant anything, and this has nt caused any problems. The water stats remained fine. I also bought a different heater to the Biorb one, and I have no idea how my friends haven't turned the damn filter off at the plug when they have to sleep in the living room. They may look good, but they have some serious 'design' faults.