Customer Reviews

biOrb Service Kit - 6 pack

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

As someone else stated, the filter packs are a waste of money. If you only have fish in the tank, and not live plants, you need only purchase a jug of charcoal, and replace the filter media yourself (after rinsing, of course).

Further, if you have live plants in your biorb, you will need to replace the charcoal with a filter media such as SeaChem's purigen. At $18ish / 100ml, this is still far more economical than using the OEM filter packs, and you'll be using a filter media that will not rob the water of the nutrients the plants require to thrive.

As far as the sponge part of the filter, just rinse it out in old tank water. Simple, economical, and gives you a sense of accomplishment.

BTW- that overpriced bulb is a simple JC G4 bi-pin base, halogen 5w bulb. No need to pay the premium for the reef one packaging. For that matter, the jackhammer airpump can be replaced with a cheepo $7 model from wherever as well when it quits.

Hope this helps others, I've learned along the way that owning a biorb needs not be an expensive proposition!

Reef-One claims this filter needs to be changed every month, which is ridiculous. I think they lose a lot of potential customers this way. I rinse the filter out in old tank water during partial water changes, and replace the charcol they provide with a little charcol from a $5 jug purchased at PetSmart. I check my water quality (nitrite and nitrate) every 2 weeks and my tank is in perfect shape.

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.

Excellent product, fits my bioOrb aquarium. Buying the 6 pack is cheaper, including S & H, than going to the pet store. The closest pet store that carries this item, singly, is 50 miles away from where I live!

It irks me to pay $10 a piece for these kits, when I know I can refill them with 50 cents worth of charcoal myself and rinse the sponge. However, after doing just that for a while, I have switched back to the kits. It's worth the money for the convenience, and Spot (my goldfish) gets slightly cleaner water, which makes her happy. The 6-packs are cost-effective, and after the second swap, I forget about the cost and appreciate the ease of changing them out.

On the other hand, the design and engineering of the filter pack is truly horrid (whether you use the kit or not), and the difficulty of getting the tabs to line up and lock in place makes every filter change a hassle. If you don't yet have a Biorb system, I would highly recommend you don't get one. You will be locked into a system of overpriced, yet poorly designed accessories. Too bad, because they are beautiful to look at.

This kit contains everything you need for regular maintenance for your Biorb. The only other thing that needs to be purchased separately would be the airstones. Good price through this dealer!

I love my BioOrb set-up and I am glad to find the filters with such prompt service.

The Bio Orb filter pack comes with almost all needed items to install filter and keep tank water clean. Good packaging. Would have gotten a Five Star if they had included the necessary air stone in the package. As it is you have to buy the air stones separately which is inconvenient.

The pet store where I bought the Baby BiOrb stopped carrying the accessories. I checked all over town, and nobody seems to have them. This 6-pack is the original item, exactly as advertised and listed at a great price. They were shipped and arrived faster than I expected. Overall, I'm very happy with this purchase.

Everything you'll need for periodic maintenance (except the light bulbs). Nice to have them on hand when needed with the six pack.