My Aquarium

[esterill]

This is my BiOrb 60L tropical aquarium. This was bought for the children in February. The requirement was for a simple aquarium with fish that are easy to look after. My wife chose the BiOrb and the mirrored base it sits on - it was very much 'design led'. I researched the BiOrb (which led me to this forum) and concluded that for our purposes, it was ok. I accept its limitations.



The BiOrb was prepared and run without fish for 2 weeks or so. This was partly because it seemed like a good thing to do and partly because the first fish were meant as a birthday present. We started with a Balloon Molly and a Black Molly along with 4 Neon Tetras.




The base is a mirrored table from Laura Ashley. It is on its side with the original base now facing the wall. I cut a hole in the base and added strengthening. Load tests showed that it was probably unnecessary but I'd rather over-engineer than have 60 litres of water and loads of broken glass everywhere. I rigged a timer for the BiOrb standard light. The standard pump is silent as long as none of the pipes move and vibrate against wires etc. I added a non-return valve to the air pipe as someone on this forum mentioned that the valve in the BiOrb sometimes fails. The heater works fine. The water and filter changes have been easy using a siphon and bucket. The supplier gave me a BiOrb wrench to remove jammed filters but this has not been necessary.



The rear of the aquarium. Normally hidden against the wall.

 

[Bloo]

Looks really lovely and definitely a room feature

 

[esterill]

Pump and timer (and pump sound insulation)




We have since had a Baby Molly which has survived and is growing as expected. Unfortunately, the mother died a few weeks after giving birth. Reason unknown. We have recently introduced a nother Molly and a shark plus 5 Red Glow Tetras. They all seem happy with no fighting etc. We feed flaked food and frozen bloodworm and the plants get nibbled. Some snails have appeared recently but they aren't out of control. The plants grow quickly and I have been trimming them.

 

[Bex]

That looks great!

Sets off the room nicely. Bet the kids like it? Most kids seem fascinated by aquariums, plus can be a useful learning aid!

 

[esterill]

The combination of the spherical BiOrb and the mirrored box make a nice 'light show' at night. I'll try to post a picture of that if I can get a decent one. I haven't tried to take any of the fish as the distortion makes it futile and there are many better pics on the forum than I could take.

Overall the BiOrb experience has been relatively painless. I have had good advice from the local supplier (a garden centre with aquarium/pet supply centre). I have been cautious and not hurried anything and it seems to have paid off. The supplier has a Marine BiOrb on show but I haven't been tempted!

There are limitations with the BiOrb. There are a lot of fish we can't have but then again there are a lot we can have. It has certainly got my interest going and one day I might get a much bigger tank with an Eheim filter and some larger plants and fish.

 

[Bex]

There are limitations with the BiOrb. There are a lot of fish we can't have but then again there are a lot we can have. It has certainly got my interest going and one day I might get a much bigger tank with an Eheim filter and some larger plants and fish.
[/quote]


LOL Pete!

That's the start of the terrible MTS (multiple tank syndrome). Think it's got to everyone on this forum! Be warned, this is a terribly addictive hobby and as far as I know, the only cure is more tanks and more fish - bigger and better each time!!!!

 

[esterill]

Yes, I feel the need Bex..

The stumbling point may be the asthetics of most of the 'regular' tanks available. The stands and lids often look like they were designed in the 70s or earlier and made of nasty materials. I probably can't afford a top-end tank so I need to come up with a solution based around a cheapish glass tank and homebrew my own stand and lid. I also want to hide all the 'gubbins' as much as possible. I appreciate that keeping fish is the overall point of aquaria but I do think there is a gap in the market for more attractive tanks.

 

[SamUK]

that looks awesome!


have to get some pics with the room light off at night.


as for MTS. your in the right place lol.

 

[T1KARMANN]

that looks great

i love the style of the biorb its just a shame their is no way arond the cables that come out of the top

 

[esterill]

I tried to get some nightime pics but failed miserably. I need a better camera and a tripod. The light reflects all over the place and makes some great patterns on the floor and ceiling. You can see shadows of the fish in the patterns. Groovy Baby!

 

[Miss Wiggle]

yeah it looks really good.

and don't worry about the design of bigger tanks, I've seen loads of homemade stands and hoods and they look really nice. If your a bit of a dab hand at DIY (sounds like you are!) I'm sure you can sort it easily.

and everyone................. don't be so concerned about your mts, I think me and Ian have cured ours, we're actually reducing the number of tanks we own ............. swapping 2 tanks for one much nicer better one but none the less it's still going down. we are of course keeping all the spare tanks and equipment just incase we decide to set them up another time

 

[catxx]

looking good!

i'm concerned you said you've put a shark in there though, what kind? red tailed? rainbow? bala?.
the tank only equals a limited 15 gallon, anything with shark in the name will need bigger!

 

[tetraman]

Those are cardinal tetras, not neon tetras. Otherwise, nice tank!

 

[guppymommy]

Wow, nice set up! My MTS is giving me the urge to get one of those. Thank goodness I don't have anyone around here that supplies them. I already have enough tanks (according to my husband) . . . I've only got 8 (all set up and running) and will be getting three more (2.5 gallons each) this weekend!

I hope you'll be able to get pictures of the lighting at night. Sounds so peaceful and lovely!

 

[helsekia]

that is awesome,I love the stand its a great idea,definately need a night time shot