I have had this this fish-tank (the 8gal Bio Life) for a few weeks now.
I added the ceramic media, and conditioned the water with Stress Coat and Stress Zyme, Installed the filter which was a breeze! and let it run without fish for over a week so the tank could settle.
I also made sure that the temperature was stable for the fish that I wanted to keep. I live in Jamaica, where it is mostly warm, but we have a air-conditioner in the living room where the tank is so it can get a bit cooler than normal.
All other water parameters were good, meaning Ammonia, PH, Nitrate, and Nitrite Levels were all good.
Now it was time to add the fish, Not to overload the tank, I am starting out with a group of 4 Neon Tetras (I will add 4 more in a month to make it a school). I know they are not the recommended starter fish for a New Tank, but I thought I would give it go seeing that all tested conditions were good.
I have to say I was a bit worried at first with all the information on the Net saying how hard Tetras were, and that you definitely need a heater etc. etc., I has been over a week, and I am glad to say that my fish seem very happy, and tank is doing fine! and without a heater. I even grew some brine shrimp to give them a treat, and they ate them readily!
I really love this tank it is not only beautiful to look at, it is so convenient in every way! Here are my Likes and Dislikes:
Likes:
Beautiful - A Work of Art
Convenient Adequate Filter System So Far
Convenient Feeding Hole.
LED Lighting to mimic real light situations and saves energy.
It's Acrylic - which is stronger than glass! Also, not many people realize, but Acrylic does not Conduct the Outside Temperature to the Water inside the tank very readily because Acrylic is a poor heat/cold conductor. So it keeps your water at a more stable temperature than a glass one. (see for yourself, place ice inside a glass, and place some in a plastic cup - which one can you feel more cold on the outside? The Glass of course.
Comes Complete with almost everything that you will need to start (You will still need a Net, a fish tank water changer/cleaner, and more fish food and water conditioners, and replacement media)
Note: To save on buying replacement filters, buy just one more Replacement Bio-filter, and some Bulk Activated Carbon Pellets, and Some Diamond Blend or other Ammonia Removing Product. So when you need to change the filter you can, rinse the sponge filter in some of the tank water removed (not to kill the good bacteria), and replace the carbon and ammonia stones with what you bought, and you can vary the amount of each depending on your tank conditions.
Dislikes:
LED Light should have a 24HR Moonlight setting
Could have a diverter air valve inside so that you can connect other air stones, etc, without having to push an air line through the top.
Overall I really like this tank, and thinking of buying the 16gal.
I will followup this review, as I have the tank longer if anything out of the ordinary happens.