Biorb Filter change part 2?

Question

Still waiting to hear from anyone who has done this who has the plant thing.
Seems almost impossible to me.

Answer 1

I'm not quite sure I understand this question, but based on your other questions, I believe your problem is your lack of filtration in your biorb causing ammonia / nitrite problems?

You must do water changes. You should be doing them on a weekly basis even when the filter is functional, but in the meantime, do 15% water changes every day. Ammonia and nitrites in ANY amount are TOXIC. You need to remove and dillute them as much as possible to avoid killing your fish and frog (frogs are even more sensitive to ammonia and nitrites than fish).

Really, though, your problem is the biorb. In plain english, they suck. They aren't AS bad as some of the contraptions I've seen out there, but captive fish belong in fish tanks, not decorative bowls. In a large tank you would not have ammonia and nitrite problems the way you do in a small biorb, and your fish would have room to swim and grow, which they won't be doing much of in a biorb. The best thing you could do for your fishes would be to get a real tank, 10 or 20 gallons - you can find them used with all accessories for like 30$ or less on craigslist.com.

In the meantime, do water changes.

Answer 2

The concept of the Biorb is interesting, although I have not used it (or any of my service customers), the concept is not new.

You basically have a very small sponge filter media, ceramic media that works in similar fashion to an under gravel filter, and carbon (chemical filtration).
The lighting, a 10w halogen bulb is totally inadequate for most plants.

The concept is clever, but nothing new or revolutionary, and therefore cannot keep any more fish than a comparable 8 gallon tank. Also without a heater there are few fish you can keep.

My recommendation is some livebearers such as a few guppies and platties (try and provide a heater or at least an infrared reptile light near this Orb). As for the goldfish this company falsely promotes (they show several in their ads), I would only recommend one if any at all.

As for plants, I really would not recommend any, but if you were to try some, a Java Fern, Java Moss, or Banana Plant would be it.

For more basic aquarium information, please read my article:
http://www.americanaquariumproducts.com/Basic_Aquarium_Principles.html

For lighting info:
http://www.americanaquariumproducts.com/Aquarium_Lighting.html

Good Luck!

Answer 3

what kind of filter!? I change mines once a month