Bi-Orb Aquarium Reviews
Latest Reviews
★★★☆☆
“Attractive tank”
Written on: 14/03/2013
I have had my biorb tank for 4 years now. I bought it when I did not know much about the requirements of fish. It is a very attractive tank. It's a clever design, but still requires weekly partial water changes and the gravel needs to be vacumed. It can be very difficult to hoover up all the mess at the bottom of the tank and I would not recommend it for small fish. All my neon tetra's ended up in the filter after the first hour, never again. I bought gold fish but decided that they needed... (read more)
★★★★★
“Biorb Life”
Written on: 14/10/2012
I do not normally write reviews but after reading some of the reviews on here i felt the need to give people a real portrayal of owning a Biorb product. In particular i have used the Biorb Life 30 for years and ran 2 different set ups while owning it. All of which have been a huge success and i have had no fish losses due to any complications with water chemistry or fish being trapped in the ceramic media. The tank is very self sufficient and anyone with the slightest amount of common... (read more)
★★★★☆
“Bi-Orb is OK”
Written on: 18/09/2012
Small tanks are harder to maintain than larger ones no matter what type they are. I was given a Bio-Orb bowl aquarium five years ago in which I successfully kept a Kuhli loach, Japanese fighter and some mosquito rasbora. I lost the fighter and the last of the rasbora about a month ago which I believe was due to their lifespan rather than the aquarium. For the last month I now have the same loach and five male Guppies in the aquarium and all are doing well. I have put my success down to... (read more)
★★★★☆
“Biorb life 45”
Written on: 12/08/2012 by angelpie1 (5 reviews written)
I felt compelled to write this review due to all the bad press Biorb seem to receive. I bought this tank as I really wanted to keep fish and I did not want to have an ugly traditional style tank,now many aquarium enthusiasts will probably jump on me and not like what I am about to say but if you want to keep fish and you intend to look after them well and do the best by them but DO NOT want an ugly tank then the Biorb is the one i have the portrait one as I dont feel right having a fish in... (read more)
Lynn57's Response to angelpie1's Review
Written on: 07/09/2012
I think that you will find that a proper 'cycle' will take anything from 4 to 6 weeks or more. A week is not long enough to build up the essential bacteria necessary to cope with the fishes waste. You have to feed the bacteria with ammonia daily until the water readings are 0 after 12 hours for ammonia and nitrite. Only then is it safe to add any fish. All this nonsense from shop keepers telling you to wait 2 days or a week is utter nonsense and the fish will suffer, be it from ammonia burns or nitrate poisoning. Most fish will die or suffer long term effects and die prematurely.
A bi-orb is not suitable for any fish due to size and shape and is only suitable for snails or shrimp.
Reply to this comment
★★★☆☆
“Not as good-looking as suggested”
Written on: 01/01/2012 by krissouthby (1 review written)
I bought a Biorb Flo 30 for my girlfriend for Christmas. However, when we set it up yesterday (31/12/2011) I was VERY ANGRY to discover that the set up was not as suggested from the shop where I got it and, more importantly, on the Reef-one website or in any of their promotional material. In particular, I was EXTREMELY DISAPOINTED that the air pump is located outside of the tank and – in accordance with their instructions – should be “placed higher than the aquarium water level”,... (read more)
Guest's Response to krissouthby's Review
Written on: 10/01/2012
Hi, i have just read your review, i can honestly say i have the exact same tank with 1 siamese fighter and 3 neon tetras, which have all lived very happily, my fighter is stunning and driving the tetras mad at times, but i have never had my air pump higher than the tank, the pump has always been on the same surface as the biorb, so do not stress as the fish we keep are not long lived, so do not stress to much. i hope this may calm your anger. nothing is ever as it seems, make the best of what you have.jo
Reply to this comment
Jasonh_000's Response to krissouthby's Review
Written on: 15/01/2012
hello i agree about the condensation. i use a regular submersible heater and installed it vertically. it's not that bad like that. i also have the grass ring.
regarding your issue with the pump, get the one way valve [on their site or amazon] and that should allow you to run your pump from down below. do not do this without a one-way valve or the water will go into the pump and destroy it.
some cons about the biorb is they are very very difficult to clean. only way to get rotten food and debris is to take the fish out and give the tank a good cleaning under a faucet.
i hate the ceramic media. it's ugly sharp and there's not enough. i use white flat stones instead. the "filter" does next to nothing. i also replace my own carbon media which saves on money.
anyways, my fish loves it and that's whats important, right
Reply to this comment
Jasonh_000's Response to krissouthby's Review
Written on: 15/01/2012
hello i agree about the condensation. i use a regular submersible heater and installed it vertically. it's not that bad like that. i also have the grass ring.
regarding your issue with the pump, get the one way valve [on their site or amazon] and that should allow you to run your pump from down below. do not do this without a one-way valve or the water will go into the pump and destroy it.
some cons about the biorb is they are very very difficult to clean. only way to get rotten food and debris is to take the fish out and give the tank a good cleaning under a faucet.
i hate the ceramic media. it's ugly sharp and there's not enough. i use white flat stones instead. the "filter" does next to nothing. i also replace my own carbon media which saves on money.
anyways, my fish loves it and that's whats important, right
Reply to this comment
★★★★★
“the biorb”
Written on: 28/08/2011
i had a small cheap fish tank to start with, i could tell my fish didnt look happy and have enough room so as soon as i saw the biorb i had to have it! it orb made everything inside look 10x bigger, even my fish. it takes 24 hours to set up before you can add the fish. i wont go into details about the set up as it does take abit of concentration and experience, but over all the set up wasnt hard at all when you read the manual. i went with the 30litre as this was more in my price range. the... (read more)
★★★★☆
“Biorb Life 60l. Expensive but chic”
Written on: 05/08/2011
i have a 60l Biorb life in white. It is a beautiful and stylish aquarium that adds modern chic to the traditional aquarium. I also have it converted to a marine fish and live rock set up. It has been running for almost 2 years without any of the problems that others say they have experienced in their set up. I have 2 ocellaris clown fish and a beautiful irridescent blue green chromis. In addition i have a caribbean boxer shrimp, a few blue legged hermit crabs, some astrea snails and a conch.... (read more)
Alskicav's Comment
Written on: 05/08/2011
Ps i forgot to add, if you want to convert to marine don't buy the marine conversion kit, it's mostly a waste of money as it provides decorative imitation live rock. Instead buy your own salt, heater, and marine bio stress zyme. Its much cheaper that way.
Pps Does anyone want some decorative imitation live rock!?
Reply to this comment
★☆☆☆☆
“BIORB - DO NOT...”
Written on: 31/05/2011 by FISHKEEPER (1 review written)
Anyone wanting to start a aquarium DO NOT BUY BIORB!!!!! Starting a fish tank from scratch is tricky anyway as you need to get the system stable but the Biorb brings up other problems. The problem I am having is my fish getting trapped in the ceramic media and not being able to get out. I have lost nearly all of my fish now. I have wasted so much money on actually buying the tank along with all the accessories and then to top it off I have had to buy more and more fish. I have currently... (read more)
Guest's Response to FISHKEEPER's Review
Written on: 13/06/2011
I got told in the pet shop, i could not buy gold fish because I had a Biorb tank.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What is this world coming to??????????? Also my tank always looks merky, WHY??????????????
Reply to this comment
Guest's Response to FISHKEEPER's Review
Written on: 15/07/2011
You only need to use one punctuation mark at a time. Using more doesn't add gravity to your point, it makes you look a cretin.
I came on here for some unbiased information on Bi-Orb aquariums and I may have taken notice of what you'd written, but you just come across as a dullard who has killed their own fish.
Reply to this comment
Handygirl's Response to FISHKEEPER's Review
Written on: 12/11/2011
I don't know how you managed to get so many problems. I have had a biorb for years and the only time I lost a fish to ceramic media was when they went for an hours drive in the passenger seat of the car when moving house.I have always asked when buying fish, if they are suitable for a biorb and not been told no yet. The only issue I have with it is the bottom feeding tablets can't be dropped in or they fall into the ceramic media, I have to wedge them in a bit of driftwood.My biorb is now flourishing in a dark corner & filling rapidly with baby fish! Better luck next time!!!!!!!!!!!
Reply to this comment
Guest's Response to FISHKEEPER's Review
Written on: 15/05/2012
I'm having the same problem with the biube and my guppies
Reply to this comment
★★★☆☆
“I bought a 30 litre Biorb as a birthday present and it...”
Written on: 14/04/2011
I bought a 30 litre Biorb as a birthday present and it has turned out to be very disappointing. There's nothing wrong with the tank itself and it's well made with quality materials but it is incapable of holding most cold water fish, despite its advertising. I suspect you would have difficulties if you installed a heater and tried to purchase tropical fish too. I have been to three aquariums and tried to buy goldfish which I assumed would be the most appropriate given that this type of... (read more)
★★★★★
“I bought a biorb life 60l about 6 weeks ago and I...”
Written on: 05/02/2011
I bought a biorb life 60l about 6 weeks ago and I absolutely love it. It looks spectacular. Didn't kill my transferred goldfish. It does keep the water cleaner for longer and despite my sceptism the filtration system work well!! I havent changed the water yet and it looks crystal clean. I'm compelled to write this review because there is a lot of bad flak for these tanks out there and I think it's not entirely warranted. I don't have any affiliation with biorb.
The tank is not cheap but...
(read more)
See next 10 reviews
Showing 1 - 10 of 26 Reviews
★★★★☆
“I have Biorb30 with guppies, black phantoms, small...”
Written on: 03/10/2010 by Qq (1 review written)
I have Biorb30 with guppies, black phantoms, small danios etc. Did loose some cardinals but may retry now established. They seem happy/ healthy now I have made a few modifications. Found an extension and curve to put over bubble tube so water flows out-lot quieter and makes top more usable for fish. Jettisoned airstone-quieter and tube more transparent. Still plenty of circulation.
Bio lights are dim and wont support real plants hence ghastly plastic/silk ones. Ive got an anglepoise with...
(read more)
Ellisajs's Response to Qq 's Review
Written on: 20/11/2012
I have set up a new 60L BiOrb, the water flow from the bubble filter is quite forceful creating the water to bubble too much at the top / is turbulant. I have a fish waiting to be put inside fro an old BiOrb tank. Fish in a bowl at present. This has been several hours and the new BiOrb is turbulant??? What do I do
Reply to this comment
★☆☆☆☆
“I used to keep fish when I was younger and it was...”
Written on: 23/09/2010
I used to keep fish when I was younger and it was always so easy! I have had nothing but trouble with my Biorb. The fish never lasted long as the water balance easily became toxic to the fish. I spent 6 weeks backwards and forwards to the aquarium until eventually I have given in and sold it on.
I would not recommend this set up to anyone.
(read more)
Onion12's Comment
Written on: 02/01/2011
I bet you added too many fish too soon - really not a complicated system and almost impossible for any competent person to get wrong... almost!
Reply to this comment
★★★☆☆
“I am not sure about the tank. It looks beautiful and...”
Written on: 27/07/2010 by irmajune (2 reviews written)
I am not sure about the tank. It looks beautiful and you get used to the slightly noisey pump. Easy to clean with the wipes. Down side we have had out tank since April with 2 gold fish, we lost 1 fish within 2 months and replaced it, now this weekend the other 2 are ill. 1 died on Sunday ans the other one is hanging on but not sure for how long. We have had the water tested ans thats perfect,t he pump seems to be working fine too so we are not sure why they are dying but its been very upsetting. (read more)
Guest's Response to irmajune's Review
Written on: 28/06/2012
ive lost 3 fish in 10 hrs and today i bought some more and 1 dies in 3 hrs ,im so fed up with it and the expence ,my friend says she s been told its the shape and the oxygen being low,i just might have to sell it as its a waste of time and money
Reply to this comment
★☆☆☆☆
“This is the worst purchase I have ever made in my...”
Written on: 26/05/2010
This is the worst purchase I have ever made in my life, I puchased the bio Orb life and have struggled to maintain fish for the last 4 months, 4 fish have died, I have followed the instructions and addded 1 fish for 28 days and have been feeding the fish 1 or 2 pellets a day. It seems the ceramic media holds all the waste, personally I think there is a fault with the product, it's too hard to clean, the plants etc are expensive and they don't tell you that you have to take them all out when... (read more)
★☆☆☆☆
“Poor design in terms if filtration mean that its is...”
Written on: 30/01/2010
Poor design in terms if filtration mean that its is expensive to keep going and near impossible to keep fully clean. (read more)
★★★★★
“i have had a bio orb now for over 2 years. As a...”
Written on: 11/01/2010
i have had a bio orb now for over 2 years. As a novice I started by putting in lots of fancy fish early before I fully understood the need to let the eco-system establish itself and they all died. Now, however, the tank is doing great, I have 2 angels, i guarami, 2 guppies, 8 neons and a large cleaning fish,and the Angel Fish are regularly laying eggs, so now have set up a hatchery to see if we can hatch any ou. The orb makes a very eye catching display in the corner of the room. (read more)
★★★★☆
“I haven't had my biOrb, 30l, for that long (more than...”
Written on: 15/12/2009
I haven't had my biOrb, 30l, for that long (more than a month though) and so far it's working perfectly! For example, I am very happy about the filtration system in the tank, it keeps the water much cleaner than it would in most of the smaller aquariums. I don't have to do water changes too often and my fish really seem to enjoy exploring the tank...
Another good point about this is that my fish seem more 'accessible', I use to talk to them and spend lots of time getting to know them, they...
(read more)
★★★★★
“I have been running 2 Biorb 60 ltr's for the past 4...”
Written on: 27/10/2009
I have been running 2 Biorb 60 ltr's for the past 4 years and have had no problems at all. The only thing I didn't like was the noisy pumps supplied so I bought 2 new quieter ones. My mum has a 30ltr with 2 small goldfish in it and she has had no problems either. (read more)
★★★★☆
“The Bi-Orb Aquarium a great tank as disabled means it...”
Written on: 31/08/2009
The Bi-Orb Aquarium a great tank as disabled means it is right size to manage have 2 gold fish and with light on its lovely to watch even though lots of people dislike them i have had mine 2yrs and love it only down side can be cost of replacements as live in hard water area the plastic lid which was blue now white so have to order new tops also with light changing a bulb means unscrewing etc but on the whole the good out ways the bad (read more)
★★★★★
“I love the way the Bi-Orb Aquarium looks - it's...”
Written on: 04/06/2009
I love the way the Bi-Orb Aquarium looks - it's completely unique and really a pleasure to look at! (read more)
See next 10 reviews
Showing 11 - 20 of 26 Reviews
★★★★★
“I have a bi-orb 60 litre I feed my huge goldfish on...”
Written on: 03/10/2008
I have a bi-orb 60 litre I feed my huge goldfish on caterpillars out of the garden, they love them and they are free. The aquarium is a doddle to look after just follow the instructions. (read more)
Jbro617's Comment
Written on: 11/11/2008
Am I the only person having problems? I have been unsuccessful with this, i stopped using it for one year, recently set it up again, with new stones etc, and already one of the fish have died?
Reply to this comment
Julianne280's Comment
Written on: 05/12/2008
I have also had two fish die. But not both at the same time, about 4 months apart. Gold fish and a cloud.
Reply to this comment
★★★★☆
“Bi-Orb Aquarium is pretty good overall for novices,...”
Written on: 20/07/2008
Bi-Orb Aquarium is pretty good overall for novices, but I cannot get many fish in it. (read more)
☆☆☆☆☆
“As a salesman in zoological shop I was always...”
Written on: 22/04/2008
As a salesman in zoological shop I was always repudiating clients from sphere aquariums. (read more)
Onion12's Comment
Written on: 02/01/2011
I found this review not helpful because the reviewer has obviously never kept a Biorb and doesn't know what repudiating means. the tank is very easy to keep clean with minimal work. I have had the same gold fish and minows in my Biorb for 7 years and have never even tested the water quality. Following the instructions and changing the filter and 1/3 water every 2 months is all that is needed!!
Reply to this comment
★★☆☆☆
“Bio-Orb is an attractive but, ultimately, inaffective...”
Written on: 10/04/2008
Bio-Orb is an attractive but, ultimately, inaffective starter tank which obtains a premium price in the market.
1. Surface area of water restricts number of fish that can be kept abd the size of the orbs restrict fish movement.
2. Poor value for money - there are many larger tanks available that give a newcomer to fishkeeping a better quality aquarium for considerably less money.
3. Build quality - the orbs are very easy to scratch, both inside and out, and the parts will require regular...
(read more)
★★★★★
“No cleaning...the tank with 2 small fish is as clean...”
Written on: 02/03/2008 by cussen
No cleaning...the tank with 2 small fish is as clean on day 1 as it is on day 31. (read more)
★★★★★
“My husband recently bought me a Bi-Orb Aquarium. It...”
Written on: 17/11/2005 by cloud9 (31 reviews written)
My husband recently bought me a Bi-Orb Aquarium. It is beautiful to look at once the plants, fish and bubble tube cover/ornament are in, and it can be purcased in a 30 litre or 60 litre version. You can use the Bi-Orb for coldwater fish, or Tropical fish if you add a heater.
I wasn't sure whether to opt for the Bi-Orb or the Bi-Ube, so I did some research and found a lot of information from other Bi-Orb and Bi-Ube owners.
All the information on fish keeping really isn't for the faint...
(read more)
Bertie's Response to cloud9's Review
Written on: 18/11/2005
cloud 9......are you on one? Because from your most interesting and happy review, you certainly seem to be!
<br>
<br>I looked at your link and find that a 120 cm tank is recommended for goldfish but doesn't state how many.
<br>I have 3 fish - 1 goldfish and 2 shubunkins in a clear plastic "tank" that once lived at the bottom of a fridge and measures 41 X 23cms - which size, from another source, seems to be suitable for about a third of a goldfish, but I do change the water every other day. This is accomplished by putting the "tank" in the sink and running the cold tap.
<br>
<br>I share my food with them as I have read in the past that anything we can eat, goldfish and shubunkins can. They get a treat now and then - a chopped worm - and are thriving.
<br>
<br>I'm a kind of fish myself....a cheapskate!
Reply to this comment
Cloud9's Response to cloud9's Review
Written on: 22/11/2005
Hello Bertie,
<br>
<br>It sounds like you are in desperate need of a bigger tank, and whatever you feed your fish must make them superfish if they can survive a cold running tap into their make-shift tank :))) It takes a brave person to chop up a worm, and no matter how much I love my fish, I just couldn't envisage me doing that, so mine will just have to survive on boring pellet food and the ocassional live brine shrimp. I hope you manage to find a tank big enough as your fish seem to live a life of luxury and may well grow to be huge. If that is the case, I would recommend at least a 60 litre capacity tank for 3 to 4 golfish/shubunkins.
<br>
<br>Good luck :)
Reply to this comment
408710_Kaywinstone's Response to cloud9's Review
Written on: 11/10/2008
I have a 30L Biorb and don't think they give nearly enough information on how to set it up and introduce the fish properly.
<br/>
<br/>Mine are now thriving but it has been a bit trial and error and to the cost of a few fish, which isn't right, I appreciate you can always lose a few when adding to a new tank but I have taken advice from shops I have purchased at etc., and STILL got it wrong. To be honest I find that most aquarium shops don't seem to have much 'time' for the BIORB enthusiast. My tank is now settling well with 2 tetras, 1 guppy, 2 x flag fish and looks good. I personally LOVE the tank, however, I now want to keep more fish with a bigger range so am looking round for a bigger and more practical tank. BIORB say to look on their tanks as 'LIVING LAMPS' and quite honestly I think that is true, its a lot of work and not really for the 'beginner' as they seem to market towards. However having said all that it is a fantastic addition to any room.....I LOVE my LIVING LAMP.
<br/>
<br/>Kay
<br/>Bristol
Reply to this comment
overview
Top 5 Fish & Fish Accessories
To calculate the top 5's we take the following factors into account:
• All the star ratings the company/product has received,
• The number of reviews
• How recent the reviews are
As rated by real users
-
1. Bi-Orb Aquarium
26 reviews read latest review -
2. Charterhouse Aquatics - www.charterhouse-aquatics.co.uk
12 reviews read latest review -
3. Tronic Automatic Fish Feeder
10 reviews read latest review -
4. Goldfish
5 reviews read latest review -
5. Ghost Shrimp
4 reviews read latest review
Latest Reviews in Fish & Fish Accessories
-
Ultralife Aiptasia & Majano Remover
"An awesome solution to the kil..." Read More
-
Rocket Aquatics - www.rocketaquatics.co.uk
"Poor customer service" Read More
-
Tronic Automatic Fish Feeder
"Produit très fiable" Read More
-
Bi-Orb Aquarium
"Attractive tank" Read More
-
Charterhouse Aquatics - www.charterhouse-aquatics.co.uk
"Good unless you require support" Read More
Latest items in Fish & Fish Accessories
See more ▼
Jim4760's Comment
Written on: 20/03/2013
I have a 60lt Biorb.If you put stress zyme in with your full water changes the live bacteria break down all the fish waste and you will get nothing at all at the bottom of the tank.