Any other fishkeepers out there?

ailuro2

The biorbs and biubes are very expensive compared to a traditional tank, and come with some drawbacks - it limits the kind of fish you can have if you want the tank to be lit up (which you will) as many fish like to surface feed, but the heat from the light puts them off as it is so close to the water.
Same goes for coldwater fish - coldwater means around 15 to 20 degrees, can you manage that in your home? Coldwater fish require cold water because it holds more oxygen, again the surface area is the only place where oxygen transfer takes place, but this is where the water is warmer. bettas (siamese fighting fish) take air from the surface and build their bubblenests there, but cannot do so in these tanks either.

Look up cycling a tank before you even think about putting fish in it, and do not believe any person in the pet store who shows you a bottle and says 'this does the same' because it doesn't.
http://www.aquatic-hobbyist.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=15 tells you everything you need to know. Get this right, and you should cut down on the number of fish deaths you have.

So, to sum up, save your money, get a larger traditional tank and you'll have more choice of what to keep in it (stocking of fish is a whole new issue, never overstock)

BubbleFrogette

Thanks ailuro - and especially for the useful link.

I'm considering a biOrb as I would like an easy set-up, relatively low-maintenance tank and I like the shape. I do of course want the health and welfare of my fish to be paramount so I have decided on a tropical tank biOrb with a few angelfish and nothing else (except perhaps a small algae feeder like a tiny catfish - is it necessary??). The cost is not really too much of an issue. The light will also be needed as I'd like live plants rather than plastic ones, but i'll get the intelligent one that simulates that natural cycle of daylight/moonlight.

Although I'm not an experienced fish keeper, my knowledge on gaseous exchange and chemical/biological compositions is ok as I have a PhD in biochem. But it's very helpful to have all these things pointed out and I will be following the advice on fishless cycling.

Thanks to all who have given their advice

Stephb1986_2

I have a biorb tank at home its a tall one but i think its been discontinued now, its really good i got a heater, and got some cute tropical fish.

I do have 2 gold fish at my OH's house they have a different tank but seem happy enough in it.

HTH

Steph xx

ailuro2

BubbleFrogette wrote: »

I'm considering a biOrb as I would like an easy set-up, relatively low-maintenance tank and I like the shape. I do of course want the health and welfare of my fish to be paramount so I have decided on a tropical tank biOrb with a few angelfish and nothing else (except perhaps a small algae feeder like a tiny catfish - is it necessary??).

We got 'a few angelfish' for our 180 litre tank, and it is now divided, because Angelfish grow up , pair off and become very territorial. We now have three. One died early on, and another was killed when it dug out the gravel at the bottom of the divider and got through the other side. The other pair pecked it so badly even tho I moved it back as soon as I saw it, he didn't last the day.:eek:

Tropical just means warmer water. One angelfish with a bunch of dwarf rainbows (aka praecox rainbows) still leaves room for some corydoras for the bottom of the tank (they like to be in groups of 6, so a small type would be best for you) Remember angels can get 6" high easily.

If the algae eaters you're thinking of are otocinclus, they need to be in a tank that has been set up for 6 months or more, otherwise there's no food available to them, and they don't fare well on algae tablets alone.

boldaslove

has anyone else with a biorb had problems with fish swimming down the filter tube? or are my fish just really dozy?!

BubbleFrogette

Thanks KandyFloss,

Very useful advice and the established aquarium looks lovely in the pics.

Cheers! :beer:

kandyfloss

Hi Bubble,you do have to do partial water changes and water testing to check on the balance of the tank,though we have been told and have found out that the bigger the tank,the easier they are to maintain.A lot of the shops are not reccomending the Biorbs mainly because they are plastic and can scratch easily,but also with the bubble tube in the centre there isn't a lot room in the tank wheras the Aquael has the filter and heater round the side and the waterfall bit is at the top.

The Aquael and the bigger tanks are made of glass so with the added water makes them quiet heavy

Lots of people do have the Biorb's and are happy with them,and you wiull find like us whatever you decide to buy,if you catch the fish keeping bug then you will soon want to go large as they say.


Please keep us posted on whatever you decide...

blackwidowz

Hi my sons pet fish ..jim died today.

I wondered what is the best way to dispose of him, can't bury him as i have a dog and he may dig it back up.
Advise please........................

MrsTinks

Bit naughty but we flush our dead fish when we have a fatality

shelly

When I saw the title.....I was so not thinking of a dead fish :rotfl: