Bio wheel filters
- Thread starter jw0934
- Start date
srfisher17
Active Member
Bio-Wheels work well on smaller tanks. They work fine on ammonia and nitrite, provide good mechanical filtration, and can hold various chemical media. They will do nothing for nitrate, however. If you have a fish-only tank, regular water changes should keep nitrate well within acceptable ranges for fish. With coral/inverts--you will have to depend on LR, or other methods to keep nitrate down. There are many, more "sophisticated" filter systems for marine tanks. But, IMO, they are just fine for getting into the hobby and not going broke. That will come soon enough.
florida joe
Well-Known Member
Originally Posted by srfisher17
http:///forum/post/3250073
Bio-Wheels work well on smaller tanks. They work fine on ammonia and nitrite, provide good mechanical filtration, and can hold various chemical media. They will do nothing for nitrate, however. If you have a fish-only tank, regular water changes should keep nitrate well within acceptable ranges for fish. With coral/inverts--you will have to depend on LR, or other methods to keep nitrate down. There are many, more "sophisticated" filter systems for marine tanks. But, IMO, they are just fine for getting into the hobby and not going broke. That will come soon enough.
I will just add to my friends post by saying most QT use a hang on back filter with a biowheel i like this application because if allows me to keep the bio wheel in my DT when my QTis not in use of course if i had to treat the QT i would leave the bio-wheel in fallow tank for 6 weeks before putting it in my DT sump
http:///forum/post/3250073
Bio-Wheels work well on smaller tanks. They work fine on ammonia and nitrite, provide good mechanical filtration, and can hold various chemical media. They will do nothing for nitrate, however. If you have a fish-only tank, regular water changes should keep nitrate well within acceptable ranges for fish. With coral/inverts--you will have to depend on LR, or other methods to keep nitrate down. There are many, more "sophisticated" filter systems for marine tanks. But, IMO, they are just fine for getting into the hobby and not going broke. That will come soon enough.
I will just add to my friends post by saying most QT use a hang on back filter with a biowheel i like this application because if allows me to keep the bio wheel in my DT when my QTis not in use of course if i had to treat the QT i would leave the bio-wheel in fallow tank for 6 weeks before putting it in my DT sump
srfisher17
Active Member
Good idea, Joe. I use an Aqua-Clear in Qt and keep an extra sponge in a DT sump. When I add the sponge to the filter, the QT is instantly cycled. I toss the sponge, though, they are cheap. Isn't it great to know that your DT is safe and you can move stuff into QT without giving parasites a 2nd thought?
beaslbob
Well-Known Member
FWIW IMHO bio wheels are not only underrated but perform much the same functions as macro algaes and algae truf scrubbers. The algae the grows on the wheel is extremely beneficial in balancing out and stabilizing tank operation.
but I have never used one so that is just my speculation based in part on reports from some who use them.
as usualy me advice is worth at most .02
but I have never used one so that is just my speculation based in part on reports from some who use them.
as usualy me advice is worth at most .02
florida joe
Well-Known Member
I agree they are under rated but in all honesty i have never seen any algae growth which I attribute to the lack of light in the filter box
aquaknight
Active Member
Originally Posted by beaslbob
http:///forum/post/3250179
FWIW IMHO bio wheels are not only underrated but perform much the same functions as macro algaes and algae truf scrubbers. The algae the grows on the wheel is extremely beneficial in balancing out and stabilizing tank operation.
but I have never used one so that is just my speculation based in part on reports from some who use them.
as usualy me advice is worth at most .02
I also agree on the underratedness. I use them on all my QTs. There is a bit of a catch as SRFisher mentioned for larger tanks, you start getting to their inherit size limit. For my 55gal QT, I use 2 Emperor 400's, which is an investment in itself, but 4 large biowheels helps with the levels.
I do disagree about the algae. First algae doesn't really grow in the wheel itself, if it did, it would probably prevent it from spinning correctly and interfere with the aerobic bacteria that would be there normally to help with ammonia/nitrite. As Joe said, they usually block any light to the wheel. Second macro algae and turf scrubers remove phosphates and other organics/nutrients from the water, and perhaps most importantly, help with controlling nuisance algae in the display
http:///forum/post/3250179
FWIW IMHO bio wheels are not only underrated but perform much the same functions as macro algaes and algae truf scrubbers. The algae the grows on the wheel is extremely beneficial in balancing out and stabilizing tank operation.
but I have never used one so that is just my speculation based in part on reports from some who use them.
as usualy me advice is worth at most .02
I also agree on the underratedness. I use them on all my QTs. There is a bit of a catch as SRFisher mentioned for larger tanks, you start getting to their inherit size limit. For my 55gal QT, I use 2 Emperor 400's, which is an investment in itself, but 4 large biowheels helps with the levels.
I do disagree about the algae. First algae doesn't really grow in the wheel itself, if it did, it would probably prevent it from spinning correctly and interfere with the aerobic bacteria that would be there normally to help with ammonia/nitrite. As Joe said, they usually block any light to the wheel. Second macro algae and turf scrubers remove phosphates and other organics/nutrients from the water, and perhaps most importantly, help with controlling nuisance algae in the display
srfisher17
Active Member
Yeah, when the wheels really get loaded and slow down, its time to give them a quick rinse in tankwater. NEVER scrub them; the same with bio-balls. Wheels should wobble a bit as they accumulate a healthy slime coat of friendly bacteria. Just an opinion: I expected these filters to take a beating from folks who have far superior equipment. Of course, I can't use them in my big tanks, but if you know the limitations, they are fine---especially for the new hobbiest. sometimes I think we scare new folks away by insisting that they always have the best of everything.
florida joe
Well-Known Member
actually they have come a long way, for the hobbyist that has inherited a 75g but is not sure they want to stay in the hobby you can get one for that tank size under $50.
There actually is a sump filtration system by Marineland that incorporates bio-wheels. check out their model C3
There actually is a sump filtration system by Marineland that incorporates bio-wheels. check out their model C3