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Baby biOrb with Halogen Light, Black, 4 Gallons | 
 enlarge | Brand: biOrb
Category: Pet Products
List Price: $79.99
Buy New: $69.99
You Save: $10.00 (13%)
Rating:  13 reviews
Sales Rank: 33882
Color: Black
Media: Misc.
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Size: 4-Gallons
Shipping Weight (lbs): 6.1
Dimensions (in): 13 x 13 x 13.2
MPN: 10-100-94179
Model: 822728002193
UPC: 822728002193
EAN: 0822728002193
ASIN: B000FLCMQY
Shipping: Eligible for Super Saver Shipping
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
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| Features:
| • | 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 | | • | Black trim looks great in home or office | | • | Measures 13 x 13 x 13 inches; covered by manufacturer s warranty |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
4 gallon capacity. Baby biOrb has all the features and benefits of the larger biOrb in a more compact size, perfect for small spaces like a desktop. Crystal clear acrylic that is 10 times stronger than glass, low voltage light and air pump, patented filtration and media (gravel), includes water chemicals, spare light bulb, instruction booklet and food...just add water and fish.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 8 more reviews...
 My first aquarium. April 22, 2008
Petals
I have to say that when I started with this tank, I didn't have a clue what I was doing. But now that it's "cycled" I love it! I have one male betta in there and he seems pretty happy. I tried to have two dwarf platies with him but they ended up dying. I think this tank is best for a betta. As for the cleaning, it's really not that bad. You just have to know where to suction out the water. You want to make sure you dig around in the gravel with your hose to get the gunk out. That will keep your nitrate levels low. Also, I have been changing 1/2 of my filter every two weeks. It keeps my bacteria levels good. The only complaint I have is the heater. I bought the heater made for the biorb and have it set at the lowest temp, but it still keeps the water at 82 degrees, and on a warm day, I have to unplug it because it gets over 85! They need to make a smaller heater for it. The only other heater I ever found was one that kept the water approximately four degrees over room temperature. But with that you have temp fluctuations that are bad for the fish.
Fix for the Pump Noise Issue March 3, 2008
T. Reigel
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Many posts have been made on various forums regarding the noise of the pump that comes with the Biorb. In my case, with the Baby Biorb, our pump got progressively louder until I finally embarked upon an exploratory dive into the pump's internal workings.
Much to my amazement I found it very easy to squelch the noise problem. Actually I ended up with a pump quieter than it was when it was brand new. I found part of the pump apparatus was vibrating against the case causing the loud buzzing sound. The fix was very simple.
Step 1- Unplug the pump and remove the four screws found underneath the unit. You can now easily remove the cover. Inside you will see basically two components, the electrical motor and the pump apparatus (the piece with the rubber baffle attached).
You may want to plug the pump in at this point being careful not to touch anything that might shock you inside the cover. At this point with the air tube detached from the unit you will probably find it relatively quiet. Put your finger over the fitting the air tube going to the Biorb attached to. You should observe the vibrating rubber pump apparatus begin vibrating more vigorously and perhaps make a louder noise. Now unplug the unit and proceed to the next step.
Step 2- Look down between the two internal components and you will see another screw which you should remove. The pump mechanism will lift right out. From the middle of the rubber baffle you will see a small threaded rod with a small nut attached. Tighten this nut first. Then using a Drimmel tool, a metal file or a sturdy pair of wire cutters cut off or remove some of the end of the threaded rod the nut is screwed on to. Not the whole way down to the nut but about half way. You will not be removing very much metal at all. You may want to glue the nut to the rod to keep it from backing off again. I didn't do this but the thought crossed my mind as I prepared this guide.
Anyway, the threaded rod is the culprit. As the screw backed off, the rod got closer to the side of the case and the noise was generated by it vibrating against the case. Tightening the screw doesn't allow as much vibration and shortening the threaded piece keeps it from hitting the side of the case at all.
Step 3- Insert the pump mechanism back into the case with the single screw. You may now test it again if you wish before putting the cover back on. Reassemble and test again remembering to place your finger over the hole the air tube attaches to and hopefully you will find your pump is nice and quiet.
If you find this fix helpful please do not hesitate to donate $1 via Paypal. This is a whole lot less than a new noisy pump. It also provides me with incentive to continue developing fixes for those irritating little annoyances life throws at us. Let me know if you run into any issues. [...]
Great for a beginners.... January 29, 2008
John Nguyen (Los Angeles, CA)
Was my first official fish tank...comes with everything you need to start...
eventually youll realize that you need real plants....real plants make a huge difference...dont bother with fake plastic plants, and don't over stuff your BiOrb with aquarium toys/decorations.
The tank is fairly large for small group of small fish, but the bottom is actually quite small in terms of real estate.
I would use the ground real estate for grounding real plants.
Don't bother with the BiOrb volcano accessory or fake plants. Stick to real plants from your local pet store.
 Pain in the you know what to clean... January 11, 2008
mm (North Bend, WA)
4 out of 5 found this review helpful
Sure, this aquarium looks good, but when you go to clean it, it's ugly! I haven't owned a goldfish in probably 20 years, and bought this for my daughter for Christmas. When I went to clean it a couple of weeks after setting up as suggested, it was IMPOSSIBLE to find parts at any local Petco. NO ONE KNEW WHAT I WAS TALKING ABOUT, yet BiOrb lists Petco as a retailer in my area. So, I ordered the siphoning hose and filters online. Unless you are familiar with siphoning water, practice first, because unless you do, you will end up kicking up all kids of poop and goop in the tank. I thought the fish would be dead the next day! Since the tank looked so HORRIBLE with all that stuff floating around in there, I decided to change the filter the next day. SAME MESS! This is going to be way more expensive than i thought. I will certainly have to change that filter every 2-3 weeks. If there is an easier way to get the water out w/out stirring everything up, please let me know. Otherwise, I cannot recommend this tank.
Another negative...the directions for the siphoning hose are pictures, NO WORDS! WTF? BiOrb needs to supply MUCH better directions for their products for sure.
very nice beginner's tank January 2, 2008
KEM44 (Michigan)
I really love this tank and so do my kids. I've read most of the reviews on this site written to date and can address some of them, for those of you trying to make a decision.
First the negatives:
Basically this tank is too small for goldfish, yet tropical fish require water that is between 72-78 degrees, which means you need a heater, and this is the main issue that I don't think Biorb addresses very well. The heater they offer, separately, is ugly and expensive ($32). I bought a similar Tetra heater for $16 which is also ugly, but I put a plant in front of it and have learned to live w/it. And yes, that's one more cord coming out of the bowl.
The other negative is the noise of the pump. I put our pump under a large stuffed animal and can still hear it 2 rooms away. I find it hilarious that it has the word "silent" on it. It's fine for our playroom, but I wouldn't recommend this tank for a bedroom unless you are a very sound sleeper. If the pump was quieter I'd give this product 5 stars instead of 4.
The positives:
I find the filter very easy to change. The replacements are expensive ($10 each), but according to most of the Internet, they shouldn't be replaced once a month anyway - that gets rid of all the good bacteria/algae that helps keep the tank clean. During water changes, I rinse ours out in old tank water and put it back. When you do replace it, only replace half at a time.
Re not being able to see the fish, I agree that there is a weird optical effect with a completely round tank, but I can still see our fish! We have 2 platys, which are bright orange. If you had a few smaller light colored fish, it might be harder to see them. There is one "blind spot," which is the far left and right of where you are looking, but our fish are pretty active and don't stay there for long.
Re the ceramic material for the bottom of the tank, it reminds me of coral, and having washed out my fair share of putrid goldfish gravel I love the idea that it becomes home to beneficial bacteria that help keep the tank clean. But, if you need neon gravel at the bottom of your tank, this isn't for you.
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