hillfamily Posted February 12, 2007 Share Posted February 12, 2007 I know some of you have got Biorb fish tanks..............we got one (tropical version ) at the weekend and i've got a couple of questions. If you've got a mo please can you help Do you leave the light on all the time How long after setting it up did you put in the fish - the insert says after only 24 hours (past experience has always suggested longer but I do know that fish keeping with a biorb is supposed to be easier ). FYI....I have added the chemicals supplied and the water is nice and warm. Thanks for your help Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted February 12, 2007 Share Posted February 12, 2007 Hi Pam - BiOrb veteran here. I have one of the newer lights, which you can programme to run theough different cycles, and it has a blue nigth-=time light too. With the old one, I used to turn it off when went to bed so that the fish had a rest from the bright light. Don't forget that too much light can cause algae growth. I would recommend setting it up with the additives, leaving it for about 3-4 days before introducing the first couple of fish (number depends on size of the fish). Then letting it stabilise before adding any more. Gradually build up the numbers until you get to the level you want and the tank can support. Reef-One are great and can offer loads of phone support of you have any queries. Once your aquarium is running the maintenance is very low. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hillfamily Posted February 12, 2007 Author Share Posted February 12, 2007 Thanks Clare We've got the Baby BiOrb (not much space) so it only comes with the basic light - on or off and no fancy colours We were told we could put 12 tetras or 6 tetras and 2 small fish - probably platys. Haven't decided yet but we'll have a look this weekend and then pop in a few at a time . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 12, 2007 Share Posted February 12, 2007 We have a small tank (not a biorb ), and at the moment we have plain old goldfish in it, but I love the idea of a little shoal of neon tetras - they are gorgeous. Definately going to invest in a heater for the tank when Splish and Splash go down the loo to fishy heaven, so I can have a shoal of tetras! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hillfamily Posted February 12, 2007 Author Share Posted February 12, 2007 but I love the idea of a little shoal of neon tetras - they are gorgeous. That's what we thought...... ......probably just going to get neon tetras as they look so pretty and the tank does look lovely in the corner of the kitchen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beauty-Box Posted February 12, 2007 Share Posted February 12, 2007 My dad's got an tropical tank with Neon Tetras and Platys. He started out with four Platys and now there are at least thirty!, and they are still breeding!! You are right, Neon Tetras are beautiful! X Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theherd123 Posted February 12, 2007 Share Posted February 12, 2007 We used to have a tropical fish tank at work until one day it burst! We have had it repaired and now we are going to keep Goldfish instead as the student who cares for them will find it easier. She would like to keep a Shubumkin - just because of the name i think! I love neon tetras and will miss them in our tank! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hillfamily Posted February 12, 2007 Author Share Posted February 12, 2007 I used to have Shubumkins as a child - they were by far the prettiest of all cold water fish Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hillfamily Posted February 12, 2007 Author Share Posted February 12, 2007 My dad's got an tropical tank with Neon Tetras and Platys. He started out with four Platys and now there are at least thirty!, and they are still breeding!! You are right, Neon Tetras are beautiful! X May be we'll avoid Platys if they breed that much There won't be enough room in the tank Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Looney Posted February 12, 2007 Share Posted February 12, 2007 I would love a Biorb tank........ perhaps one day I will be allowed to get one OH just went when I suggested it (we went to the pet shop at the weekend). I would keep goldfish and one of those boogly eyed Moors (spelling?) to keep OH happy as he likes those. I used to have goldfish, Feargal Sharkey - my favourite fish - is still alive although was moved to my parent's pond a few years ago. He must be 10 years old now. Now where could I put a Biorb.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hillfamily Posted February 12, 2007 Author Share Posted February 12, 2007 They come in various sizes........ ............so you could have the Baby Biorb which is what we've bought. Only 15 litres so......... easy to move........... doesn't take up much space at all........ Comes as a cold water tank as standard (just add heater for tropical) so isn't too expensive ( bearing in mind all its plus points) and very easy to maintain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Looney Posted February 12, 2007 Share Posted February 12, 2007 It sounds perfect, I really would love one....I'll keep working on OH - might manage to persuade him eventually! Or one could accidently appear in the house one day........oops, how on earth did that get there? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hillfamily Posted February 12, 2007 Author Share Posted February 12, 2007 Or one could accidently appear in the house one day........oops, how on earth did that get there? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted February 12, 2007 Share Posted February 12, 2007 I love my BiOrb, which I've had since they came out. I know the people who make them quitre well - it is a family run business with the same sort of atmosphere as Omlet, only a tidier office They are near my folks place in Norfolk, so when we go over there, I pay them a visit, look at all the new developments and buy some supplies on the cheap. My BiOrb is now in the kitchen and looks pretty good there. It contains two elderly goldfish and 5 white cloud minnows; when they all peg it, i will get the tiny heater that Reef-One have just bought out and 'turn it tropical' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paola Posted February 12, 2007 Share Posted February 12, 2007 Thanks Clare We've got the Baby BiOrb (not much space) so it only comes with the basic light - on or off and no fancy colours We were told we could put 12 tetras or 6 tetras and 2 small fish - probably platys. Haven't decided yet but we'll have a look this weekend and then pop in a few at a time . Ooooo I got one of those I blame it all on Clare I brought mine on ebay because it was £30 cheaper then my local fish shop. Mine also only has the basic light. I just turn it off before I go to bed. I only went for the cold water biorb because I like goldfish Have a look at my signature My only advice is that be careful not to over-feed. My neighbours fed them for a week while I was away and the water was a little green when I got back. However as the filter system is sooo fantastic, within a few days it was clear again You can see all the poop and unwanted food collecting in the filter. Mine sits perfectly in a corner on my work top in my kitchen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted February 12, 2007 Share Posted February 12, 2007 The great thing about them is that they have their own 'eco-system' so they are very easy to maintain and keep clean. I've always kept some fish and this is by far the easiest and prettiest aquarium I've ever had. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted February 12, 2007 Share Posted February 12, 2007 I would love more details on this system please. I like to keep fish,but I truly hate that "old fish water" smell - it makes me gag . Therefore I need something that almose never needs cleaning out! Does the Biorb really keep that clean - how much maintenece does it need, & what does it look like? Thanks in advance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted February 12, 2007 Share Posted February 12, 2007 How much do they cost? I really like the idea of them! I've seen Clare's and it looks so funky! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted February 13, 2007 Share Posted February 13, 2007 what does it look like? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted February 13, 2007 Share Posted February 13, 2007 Ooooooooo - thats really nice. I like fish tanks that look like the traditional fishbowls of my childhood Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paola Posted February 13, 2007 Share Posted February 13, 2007 How much do they cost? I really like the idea of them! I've seen Clare's and it looks so funky! The cost varies, my advice would be to shop around and look on the net Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted February 13, 2007 Share Posted February 13, 2007 I clean mine out and replace the filter every 6 weeks or so, sometimes more in the summer as the extra light creates more algae. they also make a BiUbe, which is cylindrical, but contains the same amount of water as the medium BiOrb. The newer automatic light can be bought as a seperate unit - you program it, and just leave it on to go through its cycle of daylight and nightlight. The only time you need to re-do it is if your power has gone off. A medium BiOrb with all the gubbins except for water and fish costs about £100 I think, but I'm not certain about that. heater would be extra. See http://www.reef-one.com for details A BiUbe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted February 13, 2007 Share Posted February 13, 2007 I have persuaded hubby to get me a biorb for my birthday, much to his at having more pets anyway, What size do you think I should get? I want one where the fish arent cramped and so I can get plants etc in, also shall I go for cold water or tropical?? Are the tropical high maintenance? I dont mind cleaning them out but I would like to be able to go away in our caravan on weekends and leave them,...could you do that with tropical?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted February 13, 2007 Share Posted February 13, 2007 Get the medium siz BiOrb Chelsea, it's a good size. Most fish can be left for a couple of days without feeding, just don't feed them extra to make up for it or you'll have cloudy water. Remember that the medium one contains 30 litres of water so you'll need somewhere strong to put it - mine is in the kitchen on a work surface, but used to be on a low table in the living room. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted February 13, 2007 Share Posted February 13, 2007 thanks Clare I was thinking about putting it on a low level coffee table in the corner of the living room. Cold water or tropical do you think??!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
