Controlling Algae in Your Fish Tank

It can be so frustrating. You’ve just cleaned the tank a few days ago, and you already see brown spots forming in the tank. Algae, or diatoms, are the “grass of the sea,” because like natural grasses on land, algae grow readily anywhere and everywhere they can find a spot.

Algae can harm the fish by blocking needed light and by taking space. If the algae get too out of control, the dead and dying diatoms can create toxic levels in the tank and cut down on the oxygen your fish need to live.

If you see a buildup of algae on the glass or tank decorations, clean them with a sponge, soft cloth, or toothbrush. Let the broken up algae settle to the bottom for a while. Then finish by filtering out the gravel with a water vacuum.

If, however, you are tired of this incessant algae battle and want to prevent the buildup from happening, there are steps you can take to reduce the growth of algae. One is to use the aquarium light only when you are viewing the fish.

Lights increase algae growth at a surprising rate. So, as long as you have enough lighting for your fish to get around in, from outside the tank, keep the tank light off, until you want to admire the tank for awhile.

Use limestone sand or gravel instead of silica sand, because the silicic acid feeds the algae. Silicic acid is also in the water, so treating the water can help. Finally, filter new water for your tank through specialized filters designed to remove the acid, before you put it in the tank.

Posted in Information

Caring for Saltwater Fish

Saltwater fish can do well in either a glass or acrylic tank. However, acrylic fish tanks are available in more shapes and sizes and also better insulate the fish. It allows more light and is clearer than glass aquariums are.

A major drawback is that acrylic fish tanks are often two to three times more expensive than glass tanks. Acrylic can also be scratched, more easily, so care must be taken when cleaning the tank inside and out. Interestingly, if the goal is a lower maintenance tank, the larger tanks will provide that.

The filter system, with saltwater fish, can be biological, mechanical or a combination. Using a gravel biological filter, the water is pulled down from the top of the tank, through the gravel below. Live rocks, on the other hand, can help filter without the use of electricity.

Using live rocks, your fish tank will require a fluorescent light that is full-spectrum. You will need a heater that will work for the appropriate size of tank and a thermometer to make sure the temperature stays in range.

The water must be treated with a water conditioner, before placing any fish in it, or after a cleaning. Salt needs to be mixed to approximately 1.020 or 1.025 gravity.

Finally, the feeding of the fish is important, especially with saltwater fish. Many have special diets, which should always be looked into before purchasing a new saltwater fish. All of these techniques can help ensure a longer life and more enjoyment from your saltwater fish.

Posted in Information

Fish Tank Styles

So you’re looking to buy a biorb fish tank, but you don’t know what kind you would like. Well, a lot depends on your budget and the space you have available for the tank. Also, you have to consider cleaning and maintenance time and expense, which varies based on the size, shape, and design of the fish tank.

For those with a big budget and the desire to do something different, you can get a 187 gallon in-wall fish tank, or one in a smaller size. It is a rectangle shaped tank that is designed to be installed inside a wall. If the wall is the right depth, you can actually see the tank from both sides.

Hexagonal aquariums are popular and come in many sizes. Starting with very small plastic versions, you can get a quality 35-gallon hexagonal model that comes with a special light hood, designed to fit the unique shape of the aquarium.

If you’re looking for something very unique, you can get a jelliquarium, which is an aquarium shaped in a circle, usually set into a square display case of some kind. The jelliquarium is especially designed for holding and viewing jellyfish.

For those who simply want a standard rectangular fish tank, you still have many options to choose from in size as well as included accessories. Some come with the light, filter, heater, gravel, and even the stand. Others are just an aquarium that you can equip with the accessories of your choice. There are many different styles of fish tanks to choose from, but the most important factor is deciding what style will be best for your interests, time, and budget.

Posted in Uncategorized

Fish Tank Accessories

Fish tanks require several different components, before you can actually add the fish to the water. Starting with a tank, you will need to look at hoods, lights, and filters. Talk with the salesperson about your options, or check them out online.

Gravel is perhaps the most beneficial substrate for fish, because it can help maintain the bacterial colonies that balance the pH level for the fish. Live plants can also keep nitrogen and carbon dioxide levels down while keeping oxygen levels up.

A tank heater needs to be purchased for the right size tank, because some of the smaller heaters can only manage small tanks and a large heater might overdo it in a small tank. A thermometer can be placed on the side of the tank or inside the tank on the floor, depending on the type you prefer.

A water vacuum will be necessary for those usually monthly cleanings. These do not need to be fancy or expensive and are very easy to use.

Also, for catching the fish and taking them out of the tank while you clean, you should consider a fish net and a small fish bowl with a narrow neck (because they tend to jump when stressed). Finally, use water conditioner to treat the water and ensure it is ready, with pH testing strips, before you risk putting any fish in.

Posted in Uncategorized

Cleaning Fish Tanks

The freshwater tank is the most common variety of aquarium setup. For those who have freshwater biorb tanks, cleaning and maintenance can be relatively simple, as long as you start with a quality filter.

The filter should be selected for the larger range of tank sizes. For example, if you have a 20-gallon tank, you could choose between the 10-20 gallon filter and the 20-30 gallon filter. Choosing the filter that can handle more means you’ll have a cleaner tank for longer.

Gravel in the tank helps maintain healthy bacteria in the water. Bacteria may sound undesirable, but the bacterial colonies that dwell in fish tanks actually help balance the pH in the water to the level that your fish need in order to thrive.

To clean your tank, take out all of the decorations and clean them with a toothbrush and warm water. Remove the visible algae without using soap or anything that can affect the pH, when you put it back into the tank. Next, do the same with any larger rocks. Then, scrub the glass where needed, with the same toothbrush.

The gravel may be looking pretty dingy, but resist the urge to take it all out and replace it. Instead, keep the bacteria there while removing most of the waste using a water vacuum. These little hand-pump tubes are easy to use.

Pump the tube part of the vacuum up and down in the water, away from the fish, until the water starts coming of the other end of the line. Make sure, of course, that the other end of the line is sitting in a bucket, for disposal. Then, run the tube along the bottom of the tank, filtering out the waste from the gravel. Finish by changing the filter after the water goes clear again.

Posted in Uncategorized

Choosing and Maintaining Aquarium Plants

The right plants add a natural and realistic quality to the environment of an aquarium. But, with so many choices facing new fish tank owners, the options for plants can be overwhelming.

With many variations of both live and artificial plants to choose from, it is yet another topic that needs to be researched, before you head to the store and just buy one. Taking a little time to weigh the pros and cons, and consider the purpose and maintenance of the options, can help you make the right decision.

The positive aspects of natural plants include the fact that they can add more than just beauty to the tank. They help to balance the water and can make your fish feel more at home. They can provide additional oxygen and also manage nitrogen levels.

On the other hand, some drawbacks to natural plants are that they require pruning, nutrition, and propagation, from time to time. They can also be killed by fish that like to nibble and can transmit infections to the fish. Additionally, they will need a substrate to support their type.

Fake plants, or artificial plants, come in a variety of appearances and sizes. Usually, fish won’t nibble on these, so their integrity will be preserved. And, of course, no pruning or adding nutrients will be necessary.

With fake plants, however, you will need to maintain them by regularly cleaning off the algae buildup. They can fall apart with cleaning, or being knocked around, and generally can’t be repaired. Finally, some artificial plants look as fake as they are, making the tank seem less appealing.

Posted in Uncategorized

Biorb Silk Plants – A Colorful Addition to Your Biorb or Biube

The Biorb  Silk Plants are the newest decorations that Reef One has added to their Biorb Product Line.  They come in a few different colors and are a great addition to any tank or biorb aquarium.  If you don’t like the thick plastic plants that biorb currently sells the silk plants are a great alternative.  They are soft and more realistic and come in red, green, and purple.  The Reef One Silk Plants have weighted ceramic bottoms so that they stay standing up and don’t float to the top of your aquarium.  They are also available in a three different sizes.

Biorb Small Red & Green Silk Plants

Biorb Medium Green Silk Plant

Biorb Medium Green & Purple Silk Plant

Biorb Large Red & Green Silk Plants

biorb silk plant decorations

Biorb Silk Plants

Posted in New Products Tagged with: ,

Featured Product – Grass Ring Feng Shui Kit

Compliment your room, and add a little Yin to your Yang, with the BiOrb Grass Ring Feng Shui Kit!

This kit includes:

For use in any size BiOrb, or BiUbe aquarium.

Posted in Uncategorized

Biorb Intelligent Heater – Coming Soon

Reef One has announced that the Biorb Intelligent Heater is coming sometime this month.  After waiting for a couple years for the long anticipated Biorb Iheat, the heater is finally on its way.  We are unsure whether the arrival date of May will be in the U.K. and then reach the U.S. later or if it will arrive in the U.S. the same time as the U.K.  We will keep you updated and when we find out for sure we will notify everyone in our coupon club when the heaters will be available.

biorb intelligent heater

Biorb Intelligent Heater

Posted in Featured product, New Products Tagged with:

Reef One Biorb – A Little About The Biorb Manufacturer

History of Reef One Biorb

Founding & History

Reef One started in 1998 by father and son team Paul and Matthew Stevenson, Reef One Ltd. designs and manufactures innovative products for the worldwide aquatics market.
After the construction of the first prototype aquarium in 1999, Reef One received its first order from a single wholesaler. The result was the biOrb, a spherical tank which holds 8 gallons of water.

Reef-One is located in Norwich, United Kingdom and most of their products are made in the U.K. but some products and tanks are made in the U.S.A. and other countries.

Matthew Stevenson is the inventor of the biorb and first created it to satisfy a gap in the aquarium market.  In 1999 aquarium systems were either “very small and cruel” such as the standard goldfish bowl or “very large and expensive.” The biOrb was positioned between these two types of products, keeping the convenient size but with the integral five-stage filtration system and an integrated light, ensuring the welfare of the fish.

Since the launch of the biOrb 30 aquarium in 1999, eight additional aquariums have been brought to the marketplace; the biOrb 60, Baby biOrb, biorb life aquariums, biube pure, spyorb, and a cylindrical biUbe.  All of the biorb aquariums use the same easy to change filter kit, the Biorb Service Kit.

Reef-One’s vision builds on an ethos that fishkeeping should be made easy, allowing anyone to keep fish successfully, while increasing the well being of the fish. This focus has seen Reef One develop many new and innovative products such as the Biorb Intelligent LED light, which mirrors a natural day cycle including a sunrise and sunset. Freeing the customer from having to manually switch on and off the light, while improving the welfare of the fish.

Posted in Uncategorized Tagged with: ,