Penguin Bio Wheel 200 - Filter??? clean or replace
- Thread starter imfsub12
- Start date
integral9
Member
I tossed my bio wheel out in favor of a skimmer and live rock.
Seriously though, you should replace the filter as the charcoal is all used up. If you have slots for 2 filters you can get a second filter and reuse the older one after cleaning it off, but the used charcoal won't do any good except provide a place for beneficial bacteria to grow. Change it out when the water starts flowing over the top of it. That means it's clogged up fully. 'least that's how I judge it.
Seriously though, you should replace the filter as the charcoal is all used up. If you have slots for 2 filters you can get a second filter and reuse the older one after cleaning it off, but the used charcoal won't do any good except provide a place for beneficial bacteria to grow. Change it out when the water starts flowing over the top of it. That means it's clogged up fully. 'least that's how I judge it.
otter
Member
Originally Posted by imfsub12
I have LR but don't have the money to get a skimmer..
I bet I have less money than you. I have teenage kids
I ripped my filter open and tossed the carbon. I put back the blue mesh, empty box back in, and I clean it once a week. I found the back side of the blue mesh was covered in debris when I ripped off the carbon box. Since then, my amm. has been lower.
I am thinking about adding LR rubble in place of the carbon just to add to the bio filtration. I am also a noob to saltwater, so don't take anything I say too seriously. :happyfish
I have LR but don't have the money to get a skimmer..
I bet I have less money than you. I have teenage kids
I ripped my filter open and tossed the carbon. I put back the blue mesh, empty box back in, and I clean it once a week. I found the back side of the blue mesh was covered in debris when I ripped off the carbon box. Since then, my amm. has been lower.
imfsub12
Member
Originally Posted by otter
I bet I have less money than you. I have teenage kids
well i have a HUGUE student loan to pay back.. GF is in school, and we live in a place that cost a fortune for evertying.. try paying $11.99 lbs for LR.... oh that is in CDN funds.. works out to be about $10.00
I bet I have less money than you. I have teenage kids
well i have a HUGUE student loan to pay back.. GF is in school, and we live in a place that cost a fortune for evertying.. try paying $11.99 lbs for LR.... oh that is in CDN funds.. works out to be about $10.00
integral9
Member
11.99/lb!!! You'd be better off order from this site. I've done it before w/out a problem.
I here ya on the skimmer. I didn't have one at first and just used mechanical filtration attached to power heads for a while. But I soon realized the benefit of a skimmer and bought an ASM Mini-G ($80 US). Best thing I've ever bought for my tank.
<rant>I still don't understand why skimmers are soooo expensive. It's just a fricking plastic tube w/ bubbles in it.... wtf? I suppose there is some science behind engineering how much flow is appropriate and all, but I swear you can build your own for $10 in tubing plus a pump w/ venturi inlet... </rant>
I here ya on the skimmer. I didn't have one at first and just used mechanical filtration attached to power heads for a while. But I soon realized the benefit of a skimmer and bought an ASM Mini-G ($80 US). Best thing I've ever bought for my tank.
<rant>I still don't understand why skimmers are soooo expensive. It's just a fricking plastic tube w/ bubbles in it.... wtf? I suppose there is some science behind engineering how much flow is appropriate and all, but I swear you can build your own for $10 in tubing plus a pump w/ venturi inlet... </rant>
imfsub12
Member
Originally Posted by Integral9
11.99/lb!!! You'd be better off order from this site. I've done it before w/out a problem.
</rant>
but for me to get it across imaginary usa and canada line would cost me a bloody fortune!!!!
but anyway thanks for the input on the skimmer.. will look for 1 for my next tank when i'm more richer.....
11.99/lb!!! You'd be better off order from this site. I've done it before w/out a problem.
</rant>
but for me to get it across imaginary usa and canada line would cost me a bloody fortune!!!!
but anyway thanks for the input on the skimmer.. will look for 1 for my next tank when i'm more richer.....
aztec reef
Active Member
you don't need to be in a hurry to get a skimmer, just keep your filter clean. keep up with the water changes . every week wash it in salt water (to preserve some of the beneficial bacteria ) and reuse it for another week, then toss it and put a new one in(about every three wks to a month you wanna put a new one IN)
autofreak44
Active Member
wow have you looked into making your own lr?
also i know you can do a diy protein skimmer, i was thinking about doing it my self, but now im just saving up for the real thing. if you google diy protien skimmer you can get some good info, you should try it
also i know you can do a diy protein skimmer, i was thinking about doing it my self, but now im just saving up for the real thing. if you google diy protien skimmer you can get some good info, you should try it
almostclueless
Member
Originally Posted by imfsub12
lol
something to due with import tax.. plus i live in a bad part of canada where shipping is expsive....
Duty is a killer, as with shipping. Good luck finding a place. Am I allowed to post links to a CANADIAN site that sell's live rock? It wouldent take away buisness from SWF.com...?
lol
something to due with import tax.. plus i live in a bad part of canada where shipping is expsive....
Duty is a killer, as with shipping. Good luck finding a place. Am I allowed to post links to a CANADIAN site that sell's live rock? It wouldent take away buisness from SWF.com...?