I purchased 1 kg of biogravel for my 15L biOrb Tube, along with two medium foam filters and a package of starter balls. Don went above & beyond to help me perform an upgrade to the tiny filter on my biOrb, even creating a printable template I could use to properly cut & size the foam pieces.
The templates worked well and I layered the two identically-sized pieces of foam on the bottom of the tank. I poured the pre-rinsed biogravel on top of the foams. I gently pulled the foams away from edges of the tank enough to allow biogravel to fall between the foam & clear edges. This gives the appearance of only biogravel & no sponge. (Like frosting a cake so the cake is covered.) I placed the starter balls within the tiny filter casing that came with the tank, snapped it shut and placed it in the designated middle spot below the aerator tube. I used jugs of spring water to fill the tank.
As per Don’s instructions, I daily “fed” the fishless tank with crushed betta pellets (approx 6+ per day) to allow ammonia to build in the tank and start the cycle. I ran the aerator and set the heater to stay at 78 degrees. I tested the water parameters every other day and only got a tiny ammonia “spike” of 1. Never really saw much in the way of nitrites or nitrates. Perhaps I somehow missed those if they quickly spiked and fell? I can’t help but wonder if the biohome helps to speed up the cycling very rapidly in such a small tank?
After four weeks of fishless cycling, I added one betta fish and the water parameters have been good in the weeks since. My betta appears happy and healthy.”
Thanks for helping me through this process Don! –Tammy
==========================================================================================
Well, Tammy’s more than welcome. She sent along some photos and a short video too so if you’re thinking about upgrading a BiOrb, this may give you some ideas.
