Remove bio-wheels from my Emperor 400?
- Thread starter dutchswan
- Start date
noah's nemo
Member
I wouldn't say drastically,not even alot.I ran a 75 gallon for over a year with 2 emp 400's...nitrates never topped 20.Granted this was a FOWLR..I think they are just fine for that..
aquaknight
Active Member
It is the same argument for bioballs. Biowheels themselves do not increase nitrate levels. They simply provide surface area for aerobic bacteria to colonize. They however do not provide an anaerobic environment that will allow nitrates to be converted to nitrogen gas. They also suffer from the same 'nitrate trap' problem as bioballs. I have 2 Emp 400's on my 55gal QT and I never realized it, but boy, the bottom of the filter was absolutely disgusting with detritus. The biowheels themselves can clog up with detritus and algae can form and block the biowheel from spinning.
In the real world, I will simply say that your Emp 400 isn't bad, so much that it simply isn't needed, esp. once you get that skimmer. If you keep the tank's bioload low enough, then your liverock/sand, coupled with water changes, will keep the tank's parameters in check.
In the real world, I will simply say that your Emp 400 isn't bad, so much that it simply isn't needed, esp. once you get that skimmer. If you keep the tank's bioload low enough, then your liverock/sand, coupled with water changes, will keep the tank's parameters in check.
dutchswan
Member
Originally Posted by AquaKnight
http:///forum/post/3286642
In the real world, I will simply say that your Emp 400 isn't bad, so much that it simply isn't needed, esp. once you get that skimmer. If you keep the tank's bioload low enough, then your liverock/sand, coupled with water changes, will keep the tank's parameters in check.
I think I will probably put about 4 fish in this tank. The rest will be corals. I have seen so many beautiful corals at the store that I want to just freak'n litter my live rock with them. Of course appropriate research will be done to make sure the load is not too much and that the right kind of corals that will do well in my tank are selected. But, I just have so many wonderful places to put them, I can't see not doing it. (See my tank and LR at http://www.jonvanwyk.com/aquarium )
http:///forum/post/3286642
In the real world, I will simply say that your Emp 400 isn't bad, so much that it simply isn't needed, esp. once you get that skimmer. If you keep the tank's bioload low enough, then your liverock/sand, coupled with water changes, will keep the tank's parameters in check.
I think I will probably put about 4 fish in this tank. The rest will be corals. I have seen so many beautiful corals at the store that I want to just freak'n litter my live rock with them. Of course appropriate research will be done to make sure the load is not too much and that the right kind of corals that will do well in my tank are selected. But, I just have so many wonderful places to put them, I can't see not doing it. (See my tank and LR at http://www.jonvanwyk.com/aquarium )
florida joe
Well-Known Member
A member of this forum said I should remove the bio-wheels, which he says are for a freshwater aquarium. He claims the bio-wheels will drastically increase my Nitrate levels .
perhaps this member should elaborate I l love to learn
perhaps this member should elaborate I l love to learn
dutchswan
Member
Well, after a tenured member of the forum stated I wouldn't even need the Emperor 400 if I have a good bio filter and protein skimmer; I removed the bio wheels as an experiment. My filter is now about 40% as loud as it was. That is good enough for me. In addition to two cartridge filters, the Emperor 400 also comes with two empty plastic "media containers that go between the cartridge filters and the tank. Marineland claims these are for customization. So, I filled them with "Black Diamond Premium Activated Carbon". 4 oz filled both containers.
socalnano24
Active Member
I have an marineland biowhell 100 on my 5.5 gallon pico reef. It's covered in red algae and seems to be doing great. Never had a problem with nitrates either
J
jstdv8
Guest
i don't even have a mechanical filter. no biowHell or nothing
aquaknight
Active Member
Originally Posted by dutchswan
http:///forum/post/3286685
In addition to two cartridge filters, the Emperor 400 also comes with two empty plastic "media containers that go between the cartridge filters and the tank. Marineland claims these are for customization. So, I filled them with "Black Diamond Premium Activated Carbon". 4 oz filled both containers.
Make sure you pre-rinse the carbon first in RO/DI water. If not, you will send a lot of carbon dust into the tank, not a good thing.
http:///forum/post/3286685
In addition to two cartridge filters, the Emperor 400 also comes with two empty plastic "media containers that go between the cartridge filters and the tank. Marineland claims these are for customization. So, I filled them with "Black Diamond Premium Activated Carbon". 4 oz filled both containers.
Make sure you pre-rinse the carbon first in RO/DI water. If not, you will send a lot of carbon dust into the tank, not a good thing.
beaslbob
Well-Known Member
Originally Posted by dutchswan
http:///forum/post/3286617
A member of this forum said I should remove the bio-wheels, which he says are for a freshwater aquarium. He claims the bio-wheels will drastically increase my Nitrate levels. I thought I would get everyone else to weigh in on his comments.
I disagree.
Bio wheels full of algae and slime will help maintain nitrates and phosphates at unmeasureable levels.
Of course you can do the same thing with a refugium full of macro algaes.
my .02
http:///forum/post/3286617
A member of this forum said I should remove the bio-wheels, which he says are for a freshwater aquarium. He claims the bio-wheels will drastically increase my Nitrate levels. I thought I would get everyone else to weigh in on his comments.
I disagree.
Bio wheels full of algae and slime will help maintain nitrates and phosphates at unmeasureable levels.
Of course you can do the same thing with a refugium full of macro algaes.
my .02
florida joe
Well-Known Member
Originally Posted by beaslbob
http:///forum/post/3286873
I disagree.
Bio wheels full of algae and slime will help maintain nitrates and phosphates at unmeasureable levels.
Of course you can do the same thing with a refugium full of macro algaes.
my .02
amen
http:///forum/post/3286873
I disagree.
Bio wheels full of algae and slime will help maintain nitrates and phosphates at unmeasureable levels.
Of course you can do the same thing with a refugium full of macro algaes.
my .02
amen