What are your thoughts on the biOrb Aquarium kits?

I am considering getting a bioOrb 16 gallon tank. It would be bigger than my 10 but take up less space than my 29.

I just want more room than my 10 gallon has but I don't have the space to set up my 29 where I live now. These orb tanks kind of have me interested both for the form factor and for the small footprint they have.

I plan on putting some flag fish in it 1 or 2 as they don't really get huge and can live in an unheated tank.

I may even consider one of bio's cube tanks as well if I can find a 20 for a reasonable price.

 

The BiOrbs are just overpriced fishbowls IMHO. A BioCube tank is of much better quality in all areas than the BiOrb; filtration is far superior, lighting is far superior, overall design lends itself much better to a stable and successful aquarium. BioCube is available in a 14 gallon model and it's a very nice system for the price in my opinion. I kept a nano reef in a BioCube 8 gallon model for some time and I was very satisfied with the system for the money.

 

I am also looking at the seaclear 18 tall. Not as small of a footprint but still compact enough to sit on my little counter.

I did take a look at that BioCube 14 and that may be just the ticket. If it can keep a salt setup stable then unheated fresh will be a piece of cake. How does the cube 14 stack up against the seaclear 18s though in terms of quality/price?

My plan is 2 of these babies, they just look cool and I have a thing for small pond fish.

 

I don't like the goldfish in their advertisement pictures
Waaaaaay too many in that BOWL

 

After doing some research online I am prolly going to go with either the biocube 14 or that seaclear 18 tall. I got to thinking about what a pain that huge bowl would be to clean. I also looked at the filter and light hardware that is integrated into it and it does look like some shoddy stuff compared to the biocube and seaclear products.

Ironic that I have spent stupid amounts of money on external aquarium hardware just to gravitate towards these integrated solutions. lol

 

Well I am glad you are not getting those silly biOrbs!

 

If I recall they biorbs just have an under gravel filter. If this is true, I can't recommend anyone use them. I don't know if the biocubes use this or not.
When you say bio cube, which of these two do you mean.
BioCube

BiOrb Life
http://www.biorbfishtanks.com/biorb-life-30-liter-aquariums.aspx

If you meant the first, go with that. If you meant the second, get the SeaClear.

 

BiOrbs are soooooooo overpriced for what they are.