Reef One BiUbe 35L Silver – Where to Buy One Cheap

Having decided to buy a new aquarium for my daughter last Christmas I wanted an easy to set up system that she could set up and maintain herself. I came across the Reef One biUbe 35L Silver and thought it would be ideal as a starter aquarium for her. It looked great in the pictures and looked to be easy to clean and take care of and was something she could be proud of rather than a run of the mill rectangular tank! The pack includes everything needed including ceramic media for the base, a transformer, halogen light, water treatment pack, air tubes and even fish food. The only thing not included are artificial plants so I bought some of these separately. I got a good deal on the Reef One biUbe 35L Silver at Amazon

Reef One biUbe 35L Silver

Buy the Reef One biUbe 35L Silver at Amazon

On arrival the box contained all the promised components and looked easy to assemble and the instructions were good. The BiUbe I bought was 9 gallons but you can find them in larger sizes if required. I chose the silver BiUbe but they also come in black. Plants are available in a wide range of colors including green, pink, blue and purple. Once assembled, which proved to be super easy it was time to fill it. The pack comes with water treatment which also includes nitrifying bacteria to start the cycling process. As the instructions say, the biUbe contains everything you need to get started except fish and water!

The ceramic media supplied acts as a biological filter so you need to make sure bacteria are growing in this media before you add any fish. They advise you to take out any too small pieces of this media then wash carefully and place in the tank. The bacteria added from the water treatment package will start to grow in the media and process the toxic ammonia produced by your fish. The process takes about 2 weeks to establish enough bacteria to safely add more fish. You should add one small fish, a goldfish or minnow for example after about 24 hours to give th bacteria something to feed on as they become established. In addition to the biological system the BiUbe also uses mechanical amd chemical filtration using the filtration system built into the base of the tank. The cartridge supplied lasts around eight weeks before needing replacement and the filtration system itself is concealed in the base so is not visible.

Setting up the BiUbe Reef One 35L

Setting up is simple and involves fitting the filtration system to the base and the air pump which is attached to the middle of the fitration system. The halogen light is fitted into the lid which is hinged to allow you to feed the fish. We also added some arrticial plants that we purchased separately. Now all that we needed to do was add the water. We placed the BiUbe in its position in my daughters bedroom before carefully filling with water. It is going to be heavy when filled so place it on an appropriate stand or shelf that can take the weight. We let it stand for a day after turning on the pump then added a small goldfish to start off the biological filtration system.

After about a month we slowly added a few more fish. This tank is quite small so we only added a total of 4 fish.

The cylindrical tank looks good and has been easy to maintain. The Plexiglass acrylic construction material is tough and easy to clean and the water stays crystal clear as long as you change the filter cartridge regularly. My daughter made a chart for her wall to remind her to change the filter every 8 weeks! The halogen lamp is great for seeing the fish any time. We are pleased with the tank and are considering buying a larger tank for out dining room.

Although this is a cold water tank (no heater is supplied) it can be converted to a tropical tank quite easily. Changing the filter cartridge is easy just take off the lid and the air tube with the filter system attached. Replace the with the new kit, wash off any attached algae and replace int he tank. It’s also a good idea to do a partial water change (around 30%) each time you replace the filter. Always make sure you don’t replace all of the water as this will get rid of the good bacteria. Using a new sponge (not one you used for washing up!) wipe the inside of the glass before replacing the water.

Feeding the fish in the BiUbe Reef One 35L

The food supplied with the BiUbe tank is a floating kind and we liked this as it doesn’t get trapped int he ceramic material on the base and the fish don’t root around in the material amd disturb it. If you do use other types of fish food use a syphon regularly to remove any uneaten food accumulating on the bottom.

If you have problems with cloudy water after you initially set up the tank leave it for a day or two and it should clear on it’s own. One cause if the cloudiness persists is adding too many fish too fast. One small goldfish is all that you should be adding until the tank is cycled (after about 28 days). Don’t panic and change the water as this will do more harm than good. Follow the instructions carefully and you shouldn’t have any problems.

Is the BiUbe Reef One 35L best for you?

After nearly a year of using the BiUbe tank my daughter is still very pleased with it and it has stayed clear as promised. The triple fitration system works well as long as you maintain it properly. I would recommend this tank as an easy to maintain aquarium that is ideal as a first tank for a child.

Where to buy the BiUbe Reef One 35L

You can find a good price on the Reef One biUbe 35L Silver at Amazon

Guest posting by Diane Fellow

How Should You Deal With Excess Algae in Your Aquarium

OM NOM NOMAquariums will always have a small amount of algae present and this is fine, it can be a source of food for your fish. It only becomes a problem when it is present in excess when it makes your tank look ugly and coats your decorations and artificial plants. It is usually caused by having the lights on for too long periods. Although it looks ugly it won’t harm your fish and it is easily corrected by the methods outlined below.

How Should You Remove or Reduce the Growth of Algae?

Reducing excessive growth can be accomplished by:

  • removing the algae by hand
  • using fish or organisms that eat algae
  • reduce the length of time you keep on the tank lights
  • do partial water changes every two weeks

How Should You Remove Algae by Hand?

You can use algae magnets or brushes to remove the algae but this needs to be done carefully. The excess algae must be removed from the tank not simply dislodged as it will only settle again and continue to grow. Rinse the magnet or scrubber under the tap frequently.

Should You Reduce the Lighting Times to Deal with Algae?

Tank lights should be left on for a maximum of twelve hours, preferably less until the algae problem is cleared up. Use an automatic timer if you tend to forget!

Use Fish and Other Organisms to Eat the Algae

Some fish are great at eating the algae such as yellow tangs, angle fish and blennies. Snails and hermit crabs will also feast on it and help to keep it under control.

How Often Should You Change the Water?

Partial water changes of up to 30% should be done at least every two weeks. Never completely change the water as you will remove the good bacteria! Change the filter pads frequently and avoid using any chemicals or treatments in the tank. It’s a good idea to have a quarantine tank ready to treat any sick fish. Adding chemicals to the main tank can be a cause of many aquarium problems!

Creative Commons License photo credit: threefingeredlord

Biorb Fish Tanks – Is the Biorb Right For You

WHY CHOOSE A BIORB FISH TANK?

Reef-One has sold close to a million biorb aquariums since the Biorb first launched, many of which are owned by celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow & Ryan Seacrest. That is a lot of aquariums, but, is the biorb right for you? This article highlights the main reasons hundreds of thousands of people have chosen a biorb aquarium and will help you decide if a Biorb Aquarium is the perfect aquarium for you.

If you are thinking of buying an aquarium and have done your research you know that there are hundreds of different tanks, and aquarium options to choose from. Out of all of those choices, why should you choose a biorb aquarium rather than a different tank?

Biorb Highlights – Why is the Biorb Special, Here Are Just a Few Reasons.

•    The Biorb’s stylish design has enamored thousands, including dozens of celebrities who own one. (Just a few are Gwyneth Paltrow, Ryan Seacrest, Mariah Carey, & Jessica Alba)
•    Everything you need to start your Biorb Fish Tank is included, even a fish food sample
•    There are over nine different biorb tanks & sizes to choose from, and several colors
•    Biorb care is easy with the snap & twist biorb service kit
•    Biorb Aquariums have five stages of filtration for healthy fish

Everything You Need to Start the Aquarium is Included

The Biorb comes with everything you need to get your aquarium started, besides the fish. It comes with a water dechlorinator, light, air pump, filter, airstone, fish food sample, and ceramic media.

A few things that it doesn’t come with that you will want in the future are a biorb siphon hose, a fish net, and fish food, or biorb decorations or other optional biorb accessories.

The Biorb Aquarium Line Offers Nine Different Tanks to Choose From

Since the biorb aquariums range in size from four to sixteen gallons it means you can find an aquarium that is the right size for you. If you want to keep things simple and put a betta on your office desk, the baby biorb aquarium (4 gallons) will work great for you. If you are looking for a more extensive set up with tropical fish, or are hoping to try your hand at a saltwater aquarium, the 16 gallon biorb life, or classic biorb give you that opportunity.

The regular biorb comes in a four, eight, or 16 gallon size, the biube comes in two, 9 gallon models, and the biorb life aquariums come in 8, 12, or 16 gallon sizes.

The Biorb Lines are the Classic Biorb, Biorb Life, & Biube Aquariums

Low Maintenance

We know that this one will catch your eye, if you are shopping for a nice aquarium for your home or office, chances are you do have another life, and you don’t want to spend hours at a time cleaning your aquarium. Great news, the Biorb Aquariums are a cinch to clean. The biorb filter is easily replaced with a snap and twist and the biorb has 5 stages of filtration.

You can easily maintain a healthy biorb aquarium by spending less than an hour a month. Don’t be fooled though, some people will say that the biorb aquarium is completely maintenance free. Anyone who says an aquarium is maintenance free is wrong. Every aquarium, no matter how advanced requires some maintenance. Saying that an aquarium doesn’t need maintenance is like saying your house doesn’t ever need to be cleaned. Sure, you could get by without cleaning your house for a year…but let’s face it, you would be miserable, and so will your fish if you don’t clean their tank.

The Good News About Biorb Care

Maintenance is fast and easy when done regularly. Just a few minutes a week will be enough to take care of your biorb tank. The main thing you will need to do is a water change, every couple weeks you will want to siphon out and replace a portion of your water. (more often if your aquarium is getting dirty faster). After a little experience a water change can be done in only 5-10 minutes.

Things to Consider Before Buying a Biorb

Biorb aquariums are great, however, they do have limitations like any fish tank.

Do a little research before buying the fish you want. Be sure to find out how big your fish will get, and if they will outgrow your aquarium you should choose a different fish to buy, or you will have to trade it in for a smaller fish as it gets bigger. Some fish aren’t suitable for the biorb aquarium, for example, some fish require more than 16 gallons of water, or require running water and lots of plants to stay healthy. If you want an extravagant aquarium setup with dozens of fish, the biorb probably isn’t right for you.

Don’t try to put too many fish in your biorb, fish need space, a rough rule of fish keeping is one inch of fish per gallon of water.

BIORB SUMMARY

Biorb aquariums are stylish, easy to setup & maintain, and come in lots of different shapes and sizes to fit both your budget and your aquarium needs. Before buying an aquarium determine what you want in a fish tank and the number and types of fish you want to house. If those numbers fit with a biorb fish tank, then chances are the biorb will be a great aquarium for you. The Biorb has been great for close to a million people over the last several years, is it right for you, that’s for you to decide.

aquarium..?

My roomates and I are deciding to buy an aquarium with a few small fishes…Would this be a lot to take care of on our heads…what all should we keep in mind..

How to Deal With Aquarium Problems – Sudden Fish Death

biorb_aquarium2Once the hard work of getting your aquarium set is is over with, all you have to do is kick back and watch them. It isn’t hard to take care of an aquarium, but like everything else, some things can happen that are problematic. It can look gorgeous and clear for a good bit, then it can start turning foggy and green around the edges, and your fish can start to die off slowly. Wondering what you didn’t do right? Or better yet, how to fix what you did wrong?

You really don’t need to run to the local pet supply store and buy a bunch of chemical quick fixes. This can only make everything worse! Another wrong thing to do is clean the tank sparkly and start all over again. When one does this, it completely removes any of the good bacteria that has been in the tank and you will only end up having to do this over and over again.

You really need to know the correct things to do in order to keep your tank up to par without using the chemical quick fixes that don’t really help at all. Here are some problems that happen with newly put together tanks and some solutions to fix them. Toxic Chemical Overload

One of the biggest problems with this is when the fish suddenly expire. Perhaps you forgot to take the time to cycle the tank before adding your fish. Most of the time fish will die suddenly due to an excess of ammonia nitrates from their waste. In order to see if this is the problem, get yourself a fish tank test kit. The thing is, if you don’t take the time to cycle the tank properly, you will diminish the amount of good bacteria that you need to take care of these waste products before it becomes toxic. For instructions on how to cycle a fish tank correctly, see Setting up a Fish Tank Aquarium – Fishless Cycling. Is your tank overcrowded? If you have way too many fish in your tank it can make the waste level rise too high, thus increasing the ammonia and nitrate levels. I know it’s extremely easy to buy tons of fish, but you must resist buying too many. Fish That Are Bullies

Did you make the mistake of buying aggressive fish and mixing them with your passive fish? Even though some fish may seem passive when they are small, they can get aggressive when they are older. Some of the most well known bully fish are Tiger Barbs. It may seem like it would make a perfect aquarium to obtain a lot of Tiger Barbs, but didn’t you wonder why they were all in separate tanks in the pet shop? Not Changing the Water Enough

Have you made sure to at least partially change the water weekly? The good bacteria in the water will help convert the ammonia and nitrates into less toxic nitrates. Yes, it was meant to read ‘less’ toxic rather than ‘non’ toxic. The best way to bring the nitrate levels down to a level so the fish can live, you must be sure to partially change the water. Unwittingly Adding Water Contaminated by Chlorine or Chloramine

Chlorine is found in all tap water, but the good news is you can remove it simply by letting it sit for a couple of days. There are some water companies that add chloramines, but they can’t be removed the same way as chlorine. This is one instance when you need to use a chemical to remove something bad from the water; use it if you know your water contains chloramines or if you aren’t sure if it does or not. Both chlorine and chloramines can prove to be fatal to fish. For more information on this subject, see Fish Tank Water Chemistry. Feeding Too Much or Too Often

When you feed your fish more than they can eat, the extra fish will rot and produce even more toxic chemicals than are already in the tank, which can be too much on the good bacteria. The toxins can elevate to a harmful level that can be the end of your fish. Overfeeding can also kill the fish directly as they will continue to eat because they don’t possess the ability to feel full. They will literally eat until their stomachs almost burst, which will cause them to die. Solutions

Always know the levels of nitrates and ammonia in your tank by testing. You shouldn’t have any of these in your water. If you find the water contains either, you should change out approximately 20% of the it. The best way to keep these levels at zero is to change out 10% of the water each week, and change out 30% one time each month. You should never change any more than half the water at a time so you don’t deplete the level of good bacteria in your tank. Keep your water tested regularly, starting at once a week, more often if you have problems with keeping the right levels. If you have too many fish in your tank, think of getting rid of some.

Don’t feed tropical fish more than they can eat or it can be really bad for them. When you see extra food that sinks to the bottom, you know you’re giving them too much.

Image by Pewari Naan

How To Choose the Best Aquarium for You and Your Home

biorb_aquariumChoosing the best aquarium for your home is not easy as there are so many choices. At Cheap BiOrb Aquariums for Sale we’ve put together this guide to help you. If you are buying an aquarium for the first time, you’ll need to make all sorts of choices related to the size, shape and material used to make the tank. Is the standard small, rectangular glass aquarium the best for you, or should you go with a large acrylic hexagonal unit? Which style of aquarium will best suit you taste and needs? We hope to help answer some of the questions that will emerge as you search for the type of aquarium that will best suit your living space and the various species of fish you want to keep.

Selecting the Right Size Aquarium

While a lot of people believe it’s best to begin with a small tank, that isn’t necessary true. Small tanks are generally more sensitive to outside influences and require more overall maintenance. This is because disturbances in the outer environment have a bigger impact on smaller amounts of water; for example, unexpected alterations in room temperature will cause an abrupt change in the water temperature of your aquarium. The large-scale fish tank is far more stable in a number of respects. Another advantage of the large tank is that waste products from the fish are dispersed into a greater volume of water, which is much healthier for your fish. The minimum size aquarium for a newcomer is a 40-gallon tank.

Which is Best: Glass or Acrylic?

The next item to consider is the material used for the tank construction. Your primary choices for fish tanks are acrylic or the more traditional glass. Another aquarium choice facing you will be to pick the shape you find most appealing. Remember that certain shaped tanks, such as the cylindrical models, are made of acrylic exclusively. And while the old-fashioned glass fish tanks aren’t as expensive as the newer acrylic styles, they weigh a lot more. Also, glass aquariums are known to leak as they age; fortunately, this problem can be remedied with silicon aquarium sealant. There aren’t as many shapes of glass tanks to choose from as there are with acrylic aquariums. If it’s an exotic style of aquarium that you want, most likely you’ll have to choose an acrylic tank.

Acrylic aquariums are certainly higher priced than their glass counterparts, but they’re comparatively lightweight and they rarely leak, as they are constructed from a single piece of acrylic material. You must be careful not to damage the tank’s outer surface, and you shouldn’t clean the acrylic with harsh materials that can scratch the outside and affect its clarity.

Choosing the Right Shape of Aquarium

The rectangular aquarium we’re all familiar with is an ideal shape for a fish tank, due to its high surface area to water ratio that permits optimum air exchange. But if you’re looking for a more unusual shape, it’s important for you to make certain that the style you pick is properly aerated so that your fish will get an ample supply of oxygen. There are many decorating options that come with acrylic fish tanks, since they’re available in such a range of shapes – round, cylindrical, hexagonal, and octagonal – and can be mounted into a wall or built into coffee tables. One excellent example of an interesting aquarium that is more eye-catching than the old-fashioned rectangular tank is Amazon’s 48-gallon semi-circle aquarium; it has a light and filter, good surface area to water ratio, and is a manageable size for a beginning fish enthusiast.

Where Should You Put Your New Fish Tank?

As you decide where to put your new aquarium, you need to to be sure your final destination is big enough and is solid enough to support the weight of the tank. Keep in mind that the total weight of a 50-gallon tank filled with water is about 550 pounds. This means the floor and any furniture involved must be able to withstand this amount of bulk. If you choose a wall aquarium think about mounting it on dividing walls, which will give you the opportunity to see it from each of the adjoining rooms. A mounted aquarium can be a striking focal point in any room.

Image by Pewari Naan

How do i change my freshwater Biorb to a tropicl one?

I have a 30 Biorb setup as a freshwater biorb i want to change to topical how do i do it?

The BiOrb 30L Silver Aquarium – Where to Buy Cheap

For her birthday last year I decided to buy a small aquarium for my daughter that was easy to set up and look after and, after much deliberation, decided on a BiOrb aquarium. I chose a BiOrb 30L Silver Aquarium for her and we have both been very pleased with it. It looks wonderful in her room and I am considering buying another one for myself. One thing to bear in mind when thinking about buying a BiOrb aquarium is that they do not hold very many fish. A 30 L BiOrb will hold at a maximum three fancy goldfish or 12- 18 small minnows or danios.

The BiOrb 30L Silver Aquarium came with everything we needed to get started including halogen light, pump, filter media, filter and starter fluids. No plants are included so we bought a small plant and some pebbles for decoration. I got a good deal on the BiOrb 30L Silver Aquarium at Amazon.

Buy Now – BiOrb 30l Aquarium Silver inc. Halogen Light

When the box arrived it contained everything stated in the description with some good, clear instructions for assembly and for setting up and maintaining the aquarium. Although I chose the silver aquarium they also come in other colours. In addition plants and pother accessories are also available in a wide range of colours and types. Assembly was easy and the pack also contains water treatment including the bacteria needed to begin cycling the tank. One big advantage of the BiOrb 30l Aquarium  is that it contains all you need to get started except, of course, the water and fish.

Included in the pack is the specially made ceramic media that is used in place of the gravel that is used in other types of aquariums. The ceramic media is designed to act as a biological filter by providing an ideal place for the nitrifying bacteria to grow. However it’s a good idea to remove any too small pieces first, then after carefully washing to remove any dust you can place it at the bottom of the tank. Although the media is fine for encouraging the growth of the bacteria it is also a trap for any uneaten food that my fall to the bottom of the tank. Although the food supplied with the aquarium floats so this should not happen if you want to use conventional fish food instead this may be a problem. One way to prevent this is to place a shallow layer of conventional aquarium gravel on top of the media.

Once you have filled the aquarium don’t rush out and buy fish! Your tank needs time to ‘cycle’ first. This is the process where the bacteria that you have introduced grow so that they can deal with the toxic ammonia that your fish will produce. If you introduce fish too soon they will suffer from poisoning from the unconverted ammonia and become either very sick or die!  Although the instructions recommend adding a small fish to allow the bacteria to grow you could, Instead use ‘fishless cycling’ which is more humane and just as efficient. To do this add either a small amount of fish food which will decay and produce ammonia or add a small amount of pure ammonia daily for a few days.

After about two weeks your tank should be cycled sufficiently to allow you to add one or two small fish. Do not add any more fish for a few weeks but slowly add fish over the next two to three months until the maximum recommended stock level is reached. BiOrb aquariums are not designed to hold a great many fish and you should never overstock.

BiOrb 30l Aquarium has a chemical and mechanical filter system in addition to the biological system in the base of the aquarium and needs to be maintained properly. The cartridge should be changed about every two months.

Setting up the BiOrb 30l Aquarium

It’s easy to set up the aquarium following the supplied instructions. The Filter system is fitted into the base and the halogen light slotted into the hood. The hood is hinged so that you can easily feed your fish. We also added the artificial plants we had bought.After placing the aquarium in its intended position we filled it with water. Always fill an aquarium in the place you are going to display it as a tank filled with water is very heavy! Make sure that the support is adequate and can take the weight of the filled aquarium! Let it stand for twenty four hours then either add a small fish or some fish food (for fishless cycling).

The BiOrb 30l Aquarium can only hold three fancy goldfish or twelve or so small shoaling fish so be sure not to add more than this. It is a cold water aquarium and is not supplied with a heater but if you want to keep tropical fish a heater kit is available.

Conclusion

The BiOrb 30l Silver Aquarium has been well liked by my daughter who finds it easy to look after. It looks very good in her room and we are overall very pleased with it although we are a little disappointed that we can’t keep many fish in it.

More Saltwater Marine Aquarium Decorating Tips

If you have a marine aquarium, then its going to need decorating.

In marine aquarium decorating you can really allow your thoughts to reign free. Their are many decorations around – from backgrounds, ceramic, resin or plastic ornaments, real or false corals and shells and even plants the skys the limit when it comes to inventing a marine world for your fish..

Marine aquarium decorations are fun to buy because unlike the other inhabitants of your tank they don’t require any special care. You won’t need to feed them, provide special habitats and they can’t get sick or die so they are hassle free! A tank without any décor is dull but that’s not all.

An aquarium without any saltwater aquarium decorations is not very exciting and it can also beunhealthy for your fish. Using tank décor makes it possible to break up the physical environment of the tank and is important both for the biological and psycho-social well-being of the fish in your tank. This is because using tank decorations gives hiding places, areas for food to grow on and microbe activity that keeps your marine tank healthy.

Add to this the fact that marine aquarium decorations are nice to look at and fun to work with and you’ll begin to see that décor is essential in any marine tank. The best way to choose your marine tank decorations is to visit a store that allows you to see saltwater aquarium décors in an working tank, not just on a rack or a table.

Some examples of marine aquarium decorations you might like to try in your saltwater tank are:

Belching clams and treasure chests – These are bubbly and air actuated action ornaments. Spacemen, submarines, clams, and treasure chests are always very popular. Even a frog on a log and airstones, are fun saltwater aquarium decorations. The display should be well lit and there should be plenty of bubbles for the best effect.

So what other options are there for marine aquarium decorations? What about unusual and interesting backgrounds? You can purchase a variety of backdrops like marinescapes, paint-on materials, foils, mirrors and cork stock. You can even buy an in-tank diorama! Display the background effectively and choose a tank décor that suits its theme.

Rocks are another good choice for saltwater aquarium decorations. You can choose from volcanic, sandstones and metamorphic rock or even plastic. Some rocks don’t have any impact on water quality while others improve the water quality. If you aren’t sure of a certain rock, play it safe and leave it out. Try pieces of tufa, igneous, silicious/petrified woods), and brackish and African Great Lakes systems calcareous “base” rock. You can usually buy rocks by the pound or the ‘piece’. Some rock types are artificial while others are natural.

Driftwood is a great idea for saltwater aquarium decorations. It might be self-sinking or weighted and wither chemically or physically inert or live. Don’t try to cure your own woods. It’s just too time consuming and expensive, it’s cheap enough to buy anyway.

Corals and shells can also be used as saltwater aquarium decorations. Always try to use those from a natural marine source.

Marbles are traditional saltwater aquarium decorations. They can be used underwater – whole circular to flat, marbles and crushed glass are popular in marine tanks. However marbles don’t make for a good biological substrate. They do provide vibrant color to any tank, though.

Faux natural saltwater aquarium decorations are another way of pepping up your tank. You can choose from fake rocks, logs, shells, coral, ships and more. Fake they might be but some are attractive when arranged properly; so don’t overlook these decorations.

Plastic plants are another option you might want to make use of for your saltwater aquarium decorations. You can obtain some good likenesses of marine plants like sagittaria-turtle grass for example so don’t overlook them and use them to supplement your real plants while they are growing.

Your choice of saltwater aquarium decorations is up to you but there are some general guidelines to bear in mind when making a choice.

Always make sure that your marine aquarium decorations don’t have any sharp edges on which your fish might cut themselves. Never use any substances (rocks, shells etc) that might give off toxic chemicals into the water. Choose shapes and designs that make suitable hiding places for shy animals and good substrates for the growth of marine plants.

Also make sure that your saltwater aquarium decorations are squeeky clean when you put them into your tank. Never use decorations from a tank where the fish or plants are ill or unhealthy in any way. Make sure that there are no spaces within the decorations where fish might get trapped and die.

The best saltwater aquarium decorations don’t have to be particularly fancy. If you like spacemen and frogs go ahead and decorate your tank with them – it’s your tank after all. If you prefer a more elegant style choose natural, rather than faux ornaments and study other natural systems and try to copy some of these environments in your tank.

You can easily glean this kind of information from books on marine biology or by doing some research on the World Wide Web. The more you learn the more accurate will be the marine world you create and this will make your fish and other invertebrates happy and healthy. The most important thing to remember is to have fun with your marine aquarium decorations.

But don’t forget the health of your marine ecosystem. Try to find the proper balance between the aesthetic value of your tank and the well-being of your fish. The only way to make sure that your stock stay healthy is to study, study, study the fish, invertebrates, plants and make sure you give them what they need to survive, a good cheap online book on everything you need to know on marine and saltwater aquariums.

Good luck in whatever you choose, and enjoy your saltwater aquarium decorations.

Kevin has been a writer for marine monthly for 15 years, you can buy his 2009/2010 saltwater and marine aquarium book online at http://www.saltwateraquariumbook.com

Biorb ? the Aquarium of the Future

There is no getting beyond it. As far as care for the humble Goldfish is concerned boy have times have changed and how have they changed.

OK Hands up those who if asked who would know what a biOrb is? Well the answer would be is that a biOrb is the future as far as a home for our domestic friend the Goldfish is concerned.

No longer content with a simple bowl made from simple glass with the odd throw away from Grannies house clearance lurking in the bottom no sirree, the Goldfish has moved on to bigger and better things and a closer in section of what exactly a biOrb does will give us a clearer understanding of why.

Firstly you have to consider the technology involved here and it has to be said that this is quite impressive. All biOrb Aquariums utilize a unique five –stage system to improve and maintain water quality and clarity. This, as keen owners of tropical fish will be only too ready to Admit is essential in the healthy welfare of our fishy friends.

The optimized water is better and stays clearer for much longer than conventional systems. The five-stage process includes biological, mechanical and chemical filtration along with water stabilization and 100% oxygenation.

One of the other interesting and revealing things about a biOrb is that they are made out of Acrylic as opposed to conventional glass. Now Acrylic is a clear plastic that looks similar to glass but has properties that make it superior to glass. All biOrbs are constructed out of acrylic and this enables the biOrb to be stronger, much lighter and have an overall superior finish compared to similar aquariums made out of glass.

One of the other benefits of acrylic over glass is that acrylic is much more shock absorbent than glass which in turn means that all acrylic aquariums are much more able to withstand the shocks and accidental bumps that occur from time to time without breaking.

But being lighter and stronger is about much more than that.

Being lighter means that biOrbs are approximately 50% lighter than conventional glass aquariums and the knock on effect is that it would be difficult if not impossible for someone to carry a 60 litre for emptying whereas the 60 litre biOrb is within the ability of a strong person to pick up, carry and empty.

Being stronger means that the acrylic biOrbs are up to 17 times as strong as conventional glass aquariums and this considerably decreases the chance of the aquarium breaking. It is a little known fact that one inch thick acrylic is actually bullet proof. The other thing and benefit to acrylic is that it can be drilled and worked with without the possibility of it shattering and becoming completely useless.

Lastly the finish on acrylic aquariums is actually superior to glass aquariums and the added benefit is that if scratched, an acrylic aquarium can be polished and restored whereas its glass counterpart, if scratched remains scratched.

There is a whole lot more to biOrb aquariums and this will be discussed at later briefings.

Stephen Morgan writes regularly on all matters concerning Pets and Leisure and more information on the biOrb andAquariums in general can be found athttp://www.reef-one.com