BiOrb

[Bantam]

does anybody know anything about these

http://www.animal-house.co.uk/biorb/biorbpage.htm

not sure about the choice of stock in the pics but i quite like the look of them. are they good or just overpriced death traps?

cheers

[O-man21]

it looks fine as long as you change the water very regularly, maybe 25% every other day.

[Bantam]

what makes you suggest many water changes? do you think the filter would be a bit crappy? cos thats would be one of my main concerns too.

[O-man21]

I didn't know there was a filter. Anyways, I thought it was just a globe that had water in it, in this case, that will be better, but only reduce you water changes to everyonther week, 25-40 percent. And you'll need to put it in a warm spot, cuz it has no heater.
IMO, I wouldn't get it. I have never liked those things, well, any self containded aquarium, except the eclipse systems, you could just get a 15 gallon eclipse system.
I don't know the metric conversitons, so I don't know the gallonage, so I don't know what fish would be good.

[midcuk]

i was given a biorb as a present and was like many a bit dubious about them but having run it for a while i can say i really do like them, not only do they look cool but a water change of about 20% max every 10 days will suffice, as long as you dont overstock or overfeed they are fine. in mine i have 2 large lionheads.
chris

[Bantam]

thanks for the replys peeps.

O-man; excuse my ignorance but what is an eclipse system? is it like the juwel aquariums - maybe it is the same but different brand name this side of the pond.

i was thinking of having it on my desk at work - thought it would look better than a normal cuboid tank. i think it should be ok with light stocking as midcuk said.

cheers

[O-man21]

It's made by marineland, great product, competly self sufficant, except the heater, water, and decorations. It comes with a nice filter with a bio wheel and a light fixture with a bulb sutable for growing hardy plants in. It comes in..I think 4 sizes..they are all good, but the smaller 3 come with the tank, the larger ones it is just the hood, with the filter, and dual lights.
I think their site might be down as of right now, so I can't give you a link. Lemme look for some others.
http://freshaquarium.about.com/library/reviews/aapreclipse12.htm
that gives you a general overview of the system 12 unit. They do make bigger ones to fit tanks larger then 20 gallons.

[Bantam]

thanks, i'll have a look & see if i can find a stockist over here.

[OrionGirl]

Self sufficient implies the product takes care of itself...People are self sufficient, maybe computers. Unless the tank performs it's own water changes and feeding, it's not self sufficient.

I think everyone is saying it's a complete package, including all the needed items...Though I disagree when the tank comes without a heater or filter.

Sorry--this just bugged me. Being picky, I know.

[Bantam]

oriongirl; thanks for the input but i'm not under the illusion that any tank would be maintenance free.

i just kinda liked the look of the BiOrb more than anything. i know bowls are a bad shape surface-volume ratio wise but as this comes with an inbuilt filter and the promise of good airation i wondered if it would work/anybody had any experience of them.

regards,

[wetmanNY]

Has anyone seen a globe like this made of glass? I sure would like one if it were glass. I'd fill it with plants, put one of my Paradisefish in it , clap a glass saucer on it for a cover, and set it on an iron tripod plant stand.

[125gJoe]

Originally posted by OrionGirl
......People are self sufficient.... Count me out... Too much work and not much fun! :D

--- I like the look of rectangle tanks..even a mini rectangle would look unique on a desk..

[O-man21]

Ok..I didn't mean self-sufficiant..I meant like..that you still have to do all the normal water changes and stuff..we all know that so I just assumed that we would do that..to rephrase it..
"their completly ready to be set-up when you get it home. It only needs water..decorations..and a heater"
there..is that better??

[Wulfy]

My instincts are that they dont have enough water
surface to provide areation.

Where is the filter? The heater?

Personally I wouldnt put anything but a Betta in.

[Bantam]

the filter is in the base. have a look at the technical specs link on the page. i don't think it has a heater.