biOrb Aquarium Kit with Light Fixture

by biOrb

• Self-filtering aquarium keeps water healthy and clear for months at a time
• Built-in filtration system uses 5-stage method combining biological, mechanical, and chemical filtration
• All supplies and instructions included
• Silver trim looks great in home or office
• Measures 13 x 13 x 13 inches; covered by manufacturer?s warranty

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 13 x 13 x 13.2 inches ; 7.6 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 7.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B001GCU0YW
• Item model number: 822728002292
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (86 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,551 in Pet Supplies (See Top 100 in Pet Supplies)
  • #10 in Pet Supplies > Fish & Aquatic Pets > Aquarium Starter Kits

Product Description

Size: 4-Gallons | Color: Silver

The baby biOrb™ combines the looks of a traditional fish bowl with the performance of a 'hi-tech' aquarium. The 4-gallon fish bowl incorporates a clever and easy to change filtration system that has been designed to provide maximum benefits and fish keeper. biOrb's stylish, globe-shaped design will prove an eye-catching feature in any location. Together with its low maintenance and strong, safe construction will appeal to all age groups in both private and business sectors.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

120 of 120 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Great tank December 26, 2010

By Nathan Nelson

Color Name:Black| Size Name:4-Gallons|Amazon Verified Purchase

EDIT: this tank is NOT appropriate for bettas, the filter is too strong.

the tank was really simple to set up, if you follow the instructions there should be no issues

There are several things that you need to know about this tank.

This tank can hold either one beta, or 4-6 (really) small fish

the upkeep of this tank if done the way suggested is EXTREMELY expensive. It runs around 145$ a year.

However you can bring it down to less than 50$ if you follow these guidelines:

(I've added links to the products I mention on amazon, but if you want to save money buy them at the pet store)

a) DO NOT BUY MORE THAN ONE EXTRA FILTER AT A TIME. The filter for the biorb is pretty simple, it is a plastic canister filled with a blend of activated carbon and zeolite cristals topped with a foam ring. Instead of buying a new filter, the old one can easily be reused by washing out or replacing the foam insert and replacing the crystals with a generic blend from petco (the 10$ bottle should last at least year)PETCO Activated Carbon and Zeolite Crystals

b) replacement cartriges come with two different packages of chemicals, one is to make tap water safe for fish, and the other is to cultivate the bacteria needed to keep your tank clean.The first can be replaced by a bottle of tetra aqua safe plus (you can buy this for around $8)Tetra 8-4/9-Ounce AquaSafe Water Conditioner with BioExtract. The company that makes the biorb buys alot of their supplies from a company called API. you can buy a bottle of the bacteria booster at petco for around 10 - 15$ (it's called stress zymeAquarium Pharmaceuticals Stress Zyme 16oz)

c) if your bulb and the replacemment both die, the halogen bulbs are generic and can easily be purchased from third party vendors

THE GOOD
1) this tank is great for beginners
2) It looks AWESOME
3) fast setup
4) It looks AWESOME
5) easy to clean
6) the 5 step filtration system keeps water clear for several weeks

THE BAD
1) the tank does not come with enough ceramic media (the stuff at the bottom of the tank) You need to buy more. it also doesn't include any plants
2) older models of this tank came with a noisy air filter, this filter has been replaced with a much quieter one in newer models.
3) the bubbles from the air filter cause water to splash all over the top of the tank, this forms water droplets all around the tank above the water, this looks really unappealing and short of removing the air filter, I have not yet found a way to solve this issue.
4) the curved bowl acts as a magnifying glass, enlarging everything in your tank. it also creates blind spots.
5) If you leave the tank in direct sunlight the shape of the tank could act as a magnifying glass and set your desk on fire. =)
6) some people claim that fish get sucked into the filter, as there is no suction in this tank period, I believe their fish swam in. There is an optional air filter guard to prevent this from happening

57 of 58 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Easy! September 16, 2006

By Sandra L. Zarembski

Color Name:Silver|Size Name:8-Gallons

I totally recommend this aquarium kit for anyone just starting out in the fish-keeping hobby. Vitually everything you'll need comes in the box. However, when I bought my BiOrb a year ago, there was no heater included. If you want to keep tropical fish, you will likely need to purchase BiOrb's heater kit if they haven't yet decided to include a heater in the package. You can purchase a small heater at any good pet store, but it's likely to be a bit of an eyesore in the BiOrb.

I keep 3 dwarf African frogs and one dwarf puffer in the BiOrb and there is ample room. Cleaning day is about every 8 weeks and is generally only a matter of changing a few gallons of water and taking out the old filter cartridge and putting a new one in. The tank is well-aerated and you never see fish gasping for air at the top. Plus, it's a gorgeous tank.

My only complaint is that when I bought the BiOrb, I had no idea that they would soon come out with a 16-gallon version. I definitely would have gotten the larger tank, since with the smaller one, you have to severely limit the number of fish or aquatic creatures you keep in it. With the 16 gallon tank, you can have double the number of pets. Still, I'm very happy with my BiOrb.

48 of 48 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Baby December 7, 2006

By Paul R. Burton

Color Name:Black|Size Name:4-Gallons

Have to disagree with the other reviewer here ... I purchased a Baby biOrb recently for my new Betta, after having my first betta living in an airless bowl for a couple years. I simply got tired of cleaning a stinky bowl every week. As a result, I went shoppin for a new tank with a bubbler and filter system and found the Baby biOrb.

While I agree that the maintence costs are significant at $132/ year (if you need to change a filter every 4 weeks), the costs balance with ease of maintenance. Personally, my experience with cleaning the Baby biOrb was a snap with the optional suction hose. Took me fifteen minutes to clean the tank, drain the grimey water and add new water. Couldn't have been much easier. And, I am not sure how anyone could have a problem swapping filter cartriges unless they have motor skills issues.

I also built a noise dampening box for the air pump - my only real complaint is that the "whisper quiet" pump sounds like a mini jackhammer after about five minutes.

Great product and looks awesome.