Bottom line... Bio-wheel or not?

[jond]

I have a 37gal. reef that is well established (almost 1 year). I am just now having nitrate problems. I have CC, 45lbs. of live rock, light bio load, protein skimmer and an Emperor 280. My nitrates have been on the rise, and I wonder if it is due to the bio-wheel? I want to know if I should ditch the wheel or not?
Let me know your thoughts. Especially if you have had success with the removal of bio-wheels.
Thanks

 

[jond]

More info: No I don't over feed and I have a very extensive cleaner crew. I also recently added some grape calerpa to see if that would help with the problem. My phosphates are close to 0. I have had some problems with red algea in the past and it is gone now, but I am begining to see some signs of hair algae.
Just thought I better be more specific.

 

[daluminum]

unknown. I have seen great arguements from both sides.. some say biowheels are great for nitrates. and some say that after a certain time they cause nitrates.
emperor's website says they will never cause a nitrate increase.. but I have a LFS that claims UGF is the best filter ever.. so who knows best??
myself? I have my biowheels from my old emp in my sump.. they might be good. they might be bad.. only time will tell.

 

[bobothewizard]

Your high readings are being caused by either a) Your CC substrate - Or
b) Your biowheels.
Easy solution, replace all the CC with live sand and remove the bio wheels. Let your sand and rock do the work. Only reason you should be using a hang on filter, if at all, is for water movement, and possibly carbon.

 

[jlem]

If you take off the bio wheels then you remove bacteria that is handling your ammonia and nitrite, and once you tank grows more bacteria to convert your increased nitrites to nitrates then you will be in the same boat until your live rock or sand has enough nitrate bacteria to knock your levels down. If you only change 1/3 of your carbon monthly then the deep carbon pores will grow nitrate bacteria. As long as you keep your cc clean then it shouldn't be a problem. If you live east coast, I would throw in a bag of southdown tropical play sand, Their is also quickrete sand which I have heard is very poular.
[ December 21, 2001: Message edited by: jlem ]

 

[wally]

Your bio-wheels are not causing your nitrate problem, it detritus and leftover food trapped in your crushed coral which is now rotting. All bio-wheels do is provide and area for the good bacteria to grow to convert your ammonia to nitrite. It would also grow on rocks, sand or anything in your tank. The bio-wheels just help it grow much better. Your ammonia in the tank is the same with or without the biowheels. ALL nitrate problems start with to much ammonia. That is caused by to much livestock or rotting detritus in filter pads or substrate. Treat the ammonia problem and you treat you nitrate problem.

 

[jond]

Thanks for all the info, but I don't think I have heard from anyone with direct experience in my problem. First off, my live rock has been in this tank for almost one year and is more than cured. Secondly, I don't have an ammonia problem. Have never had even a trace of ammonia since the first cycle. I am thinking of going to a DSB, but that aside I am looking for opinions on the issue of the bio-wheel.
45lbs of live rock and skimmer in a 37gal. aquarim (possibly LS soon) --- Do I need the bio-wheel? or Could this be causing high nitrates?
I know the function of the wheel and that is conversion of ammonia to nitrites, and then to nitrates.

 

[tykill]

Its not your bio-wheel. How many water changes do you do and how many filter changes? Also, If you read more about CC then you will see that alot of people have your problem.

 

[tykill]

Besides, if your nitrite and ammonia are at bottom levels then your bio-wheel is doing its job. It's converting it all over to nitates. I belive your problem lays elsewhere.

 

[diatom]

Jond~
My suggestion would be to add a DSB and do be diligent about water changes for a while...see where that gets you. If you're still having trouble then remove you bio wheel. Oh and make sure to report back and let us know...this will be an interesting experiment in the bio wheel debate.

 

[jond]

I do a 5 gal. water change every 7-10 days. I change the carbon filter in the Emporer once a month. I am going to add the DSB after the holidays, but I took the bio-wheel off yesterday. I will monitor the results closely and keep you posted. I know the system as a whole is doing its job since there are 0 ammonia and nitrites, I am just curious if the system is doing the job without the wheel and the wheel is just added excesive nitrates.
We shall see.

 

[josh]

What are you considering high nitrates? Do you have a reef or FO?
Josh