Bi-ube Tropical
Author
Discussion

son of a vette

Original Poster:

405 posts

237 months

Saturday 16th January 2010
quotequote all
I've seen a couple of pistonheads threads on fishkeeping, and wondered if anyone has any experience with the Bi-Ube's?

I've been running one for about a year now, with 2 Harlequins, 4 Neon Tetra's and a couple of Amano Shrimp. I thought that was a good starting amount in the 35 liters tank.

I popped to the fish shop today, and the assistant told me that my tank was overstocked ( I was looking to add a couple more fish, spending my Christmas gift vouchers).
A quick hunt through some fish forums and the bi-ube seems to split opinions massively, some insisting that its almost cruel to keep fish in any of the bi-ube bi-orb range?

So whats the truth, am I overstocked? Are the Bi-ubes that bad for fish?
Seems to be a great solution for me, one bed flat, not much room for a 100 ltr tank? And the bi-ube does look fantastic, especially with the Neon's bright colours.

And finally, if my tank is full, then what on earth do I spend £25 worth of vouchers on in a fish shop, thats allot of fish food!

Tiggsy

10,261 posts

274 months

Saturday 16th January 2010
quotequote all
What are your water test readings?

Big Al.

69,324 posts

280 months

Saturday 16th January 2010
quotequote all
IIRC it's not to do with how much water the tank holds but the amount of water/surface area (air/water interface) that is present in the tank.

I other words if you had a tank 1ft square X 1ft deep that would hold say Y number of fish, now just because to increase the depth to 3ft doesn’t mean it will hold any more fish. It's the surface area that dictates the amount of fish that the tank will hold.

So a globe half full will theoretically hold more that one that’s 3/4 full..

If that makes sense. smile

defblade

7,952 posts

235 months

Sunday 17th January 2010
quotequote all
I'd say you could maybe go slowly up to double the number of fish you've got at the moment if you're sticking to small ones; bi-orb set people off by using pubilicity/packaging shots of goldfish in their tanks which they are NOT suitable for; seems to spiral from there.

As for how to spend £25.... I'd have thought the monthly replacment bits on a bi-orb would suck that up quick enough!

son of a vette

Original Poster:

405 posts

237 months

Sunday 17th January 2010
quotequote all
Tiggsy said:
What are your water test readings?
Currently Amonia is 0

GH- 60, KH-40, PH-7.5, No2 -0, No3 - 20

Thats just after a 15% or so water change

son of a vette

Original Poster:

405 posts

237 months

Sunday 17th January 2010
quotequote all
and I'm now down to one amano shrimp, found one dead in the bubble tube this morning, bummer

Cancel that; he wasn't dead, just stuck down the tube, phew

Edited by son of a vette on Sunday 17th January 16:00