Can I use a longer airline?
Air line longer than 3-5 metres will require a larger air pump. Attach new airline
to the pump end of the existing airline, not the aquarium end. Trim the end of
the tube you detach from the pump and use either a straight airline connecter,
or better still a one way valve.
Why am I getting fewer bubbles?
If you have noticed that there are fewer bubbles you may need to change the air
stone. Alternatively if you have just changed the filter cartridge, air from the
sponge may be trapped inside the cartridge. Twist the bubble tube and lift one
side of the filter cartridge slightly to allow the air to escape.
What happens if the pump stops?
It is advisable to keep a spare air pump. Without oxygen filter bacteria will start
to die and the water may become polluted. If you have live plants remove these
from the aquarium at night so that they do not take oxygen away from your fish.
Do not feed your fish for a few days. It is advisable to test the water after a
noticeable power cut to see if water changes are necessary. After a power cut it is
essential that the air pump is raised well above the aquarium water level as per
air pump instructions.
Why is the pump noisy?
Noise from the pump is usually caused by vibration against the surface it is on.
Place the pump on a softer surface like a mouse mat or hang the pump up. Make
sure the airline is pushed into the air pump as far as it will go.
Where can I buy Service Kits and other biOrb parts?
If you have access to the Internet check our stockists page for a list of retailers
near you or online suppliers. If you wish to call us, you can find the telephone
numbers on the reverse of this manual.
Why have real plants?
There are several benefits to growing real plants in the aquarium. Plants feed off
nitrate and phosphate, helping to keep levels low and algae at bay. They also
provide hiding places for fish, add interest to their environment and a tasty snack
for some fish.
What type of plants?
Unless you convert your aquarium for plant growth some species can be very
difficult t
o grow. Trial and error is often the only way to find good plants for
your aquarium. Try inexpensive bunches of hardy plants to begin with.
Why do I have to change the filter cartridge so often?
The filter cartridge works like a waste bin, after a time this will become ‘full’. By
regularly changing the cartridge everything it has absorbed is removed from the
aquarium, just like taking your household waste bin out to be collected. For
optimum filtration the filter cartridge should be replaced every 4-6weeks.
Can I wash the sponge?
If the sponge gets dirty before a change is due it can be washed. However the
chemicals in the filter cartridge only remain ‘active’for 4-6 weeks. Therefore the
cartridge should be replaced.
Does the filter contain activated carbon or Zeolite?
The filter cartridge contains activated carbon and resins that should be
removed before using aquarium medications. Leave the sponge in the
cartridge to continue trapping dirt and replace with a new cartridge when
the treatment period is over.
Do I have to keep the ceramic media provided?
The ceramic media provides essential biological filtration. It is your fish’s toilet,
bacteria will colonise the media to consume toxic fish waste making the water
safer for your fish to live in. Without this the water would become very polluted
very quickly.
Can I put aquarium gravel in the aquarium?
It is not recommended to put gravel, sand or small stones in the biOrb. Gravel is
likely to block filtration and may become lodged in the filter cartridge casing.
Will changing the cartridge kill the filter bacteria?
No. The filter cartridge provides mechanical and chemical filtration. Biological
filtration is provided by the ceramic media, so not affected by the filter cartridge.
Why do I have to keep the aquarium out of sunlight?
All round fish bowls have a magnifying effect. If placed in sunlit locations the
sun’s rays can produce a focal point of light that can scorch/burn materials and
possibly cause fir
e. Strong daylight can encourage excessive algae growth and
cause t
emperature fluctuations within the aquarium making life uncomfortable
for fish.
Can a heater be added to the aquarium to make it tropical?
A 50W heater can be added to the aquarium with the aid of a biOrb/ biUbe
hea
ter stand.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
BROCH0001_Life 21/7/08 16:20 Page 8
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