bOrb Aquarium | No air bubbles? | But air pump works!

This video covers the situation where a biOrb doesn't have an airflow running through the tank even though the air pump is fully working.

The video covers....
- The main causes that result in this issue
- How to fix the problem
- How to avoid it happening again.

Other reasons for a reduced or a lack of air flow:
- Check that your air stone isn't overly dirty and clogged-up. This can impede air flow into the tank.
- If the issue isn't to do with water stuck in the airline then it is very likely to be a problem with your air pump itself. Even though an air pump might sound like it is working perfectly, it doesn't necessarily mean that it has sufficient ability to blow air.

My suggestions...

Thanks for watching!
Mark
Step-by-Step
#stepbystepbiorb

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biOrb Aquarium | Air pump works | But no air bubbles!

[seanmichaelbulson]

Hi Mark. Thanks so much for posting this video. We unblocked the air line with the help of a bicycle pump. No more turning off the air pump when changing or cleaning the filter... lesson learnt!

[stevenlawrence]

Great video again mark. Ive had this happen quite often, It usually does it when I turn the pump off when changing the filter.

[foltz-art]

Just popping in to say hello 👋 I hope you had a nice Thanksgiving holiday Mark 🎉 I cleaned my Biorb tank the day before Thanksgiving and it looks Amazing again and my fish 🐠 are so happy now haha anyways Thank you again for all your Wonderful advice you helped me so much and now im way better at managing my tanks ❤ Big hug my friend and bless you 🔟 fold for all your kindness and support. 🤗✌️

[SjefVanOekelDraaftDoor]

Thanks Mark, good to see you again 🙂
Roel

[taramclaughlingiroud]

Hi Mark, Thank you for running this channel. We're running into a new issue with our BiOrb Halo 30L. We've had this tank for 2 years and all has been well until last month. When we pulled out the center column, a huge cloud of debris was released from beneath the filter. The air pump seems to be working fine, bubbles rising up through the column as usual, the new airstone didn't change anything, and the new filter didn't change anything. There seems to be some debris making it through to the sponge but somehow a large percentage is getting trapped beneath the filter rather than going through it. We pulled out a bunch of the filtration stones to see if there was excess debris there, it was surprisingly clean. There seems to be a lot of debris beneath the plastic ring directly encircling the airstone but we can't get to it with the pump. Have you ever seen this before? Do you have tips for how to clean that section? Thanks so much

[mkemp]

Very useful thanks. I had some electrical work done in my house a couple of weeks ago necessitating regular turning off of the mains power. I wondered why my biorb pump didn’t start up after the power was back on. After swapping pumps and air stones and still no bubbles I instinctively blew into the tube. I wasn’t sure if this was the correct thing to do. Your video has reassured me. Cheers.

[foltz-art]

Wonderful video Mark !!! I learned something new again.. I didn't know that fish 🐠 🐠 could even survive without the continuous air pumping nonstop haha !! so I always just leave it on and whenever I leave home I put the battey backup pump on just incase.. but now I know that fish 🐠 can be ok for a little while without continuous air so good to know this .. anyways I found this information to be such a relief ☺️ and I now have my air line a bit higher for better gravity flow too, so Thank you for all your Incredible information and time you take to explain things Happy tank means happy fish 🐠 🤗🐡💦💙✌️ your just the Best!!☆ loveu brother sincerely Artist Mark Laura B ♡ Sindra & Roxy and Buster the cat 🙀 🎉

[joeyr]

Hi i just watched most of your videos today. What do you recommend for cleaning a biorb acrylic glass. On my normal glass fish tanks i use a razer blade. I know i can't use this on the Biorb. Biorb sells this rubber cleaner stick but it gets mixed reviews.

[victoriaelizabeth]

Hey! 9 months ago was your last post! Hope you are doing ok and that your tanks are doing well? So my cold water tank is doing well with the birth of a second round of babies from my Platy’s! It’s a classic round tank. I just wondered if you know of anything good to put the babies in, inside the tank? The last thing I had I had to stop using as the lid kept coming off and it was designed for a square tank which I don’t have. We have rescued some babies from inside the filter! :(

[leewood]

Hi Mark - great videos and great advice. I am new to keeping fish (been at it 4 months now) all was great in the first couple of months, fish seemed happy and healthy but just recently i keep losing fish. I Have 5 neon tetras and 4 endler guppies in a 30l Biorb. Although yesterday i lost one of each and i dont know why! All my water levels were good apart from ammonia which had a spike at around 0.25/0.50 but from day 1 my ammonia level has never been at 0 its always sat at around 0.25.
I do weekly water changes at 10l each time and add biological boost and use water treatment. I feed once a day (small ish amount). My water temp is always around 25. They just seem to be really unhappy at the moment and iv got a feeling im going to lose more. Im not sure what iv done wrong. Any advice would be greatly recieved. Thank you

[foltz-art]

I got a question? Can I use another brand or different type of air pump on my Biorb tank or is my Biorb pump made specifically for my tank size ? Just want to be sure. Thanks

[BadlydrawnBen]

As a side note is it true there was a 60l biorb cylinder aquarium? I have 2, 30 litre cylinders but would like a couple of bigger ones but cant find the mystical 60s On the subject of the air flow problem i put a 1 way valve on the airline inside the aquarium so should the airline detatch from the outside it wont drain the tank

[peterwentworth]

Never had this issue as l leave the pump running even when I change filter.
Good to know if it ever happeneds
Good to see you back Mark👍

[simply-kmarie]

Can you please post the links to your aquarium decor?

[thornbridgeclinic]

Can you do a video on how to do a water change/clean the classic biorb tank please 😊

[DoarUnAmator]

Hi Mark, thanks for the video. Is it possible to change the airline connected to the back of the tank having water and fish inside the tank? My water line has some white residue on it (it doesn't look like there is water on the line but it is foggy, similar to slime) before the one way valve. The bubbles I get are very few, tried blowing air but it's super difficult, feels like it's something obstructing the air line. Bought a new airline but I am not sure if it is safe to unplug it from the back of the tank with water and fish in there. Thank you!

[manuelsilva]

A deccent quality air pump will have an air filter. Check the air filter on the air pump. When it clogs up, it will create a vacuum.

[StaceyConnolly-tz]

Hi. I have an issue where I have no bubbles but the pipe is completely clear. I have blown down it and get bubbles, but when I connect the motor (which is definitely working as it is vibrating) it doesn’t push any air through and I still get no bubbles, despite the tube being clear. Any ideas? Should I cut the bottom of the tube as it may be leaking air at that point? Thanks

[foltz-art]

Always super great information Mark 💙💦✌️ and you did very well getting that air way cleared out 😵‍💫 I would have failed miserably just like I did with the breathalyzer test for the police haha! Cheers baby *🚨 👮🍻 🤣😂✌️ 🐟🐡🐠🐡🐟🌊

[andreashuff]

weve had our biorb for years yet this has only just started happening. only happens when the pipe does fill with water when changing the water. i clear the tube, blow air through and it will work for a couple of minutes then the bubbles stop again even though no water back in the tube