Skimmer/Bio Wheel question..
- Thread starter fighting0
- Start date
keith burn
Active Member
Originally Posted by fighting0
Is it ok to replace the biowheel filter with a protein skimmer or do I need both?
TIA!
-Scott
protein skimmer only?
:notsure:
Is it ok to replace the biowheel filter with a protein skimmer or do I need both?
TIA!
-Scott
protein skimmer only?
:notsure:
fighting0
Member
Well, the bio wheel has just stopped spinning. I've cleaned it thinking there was salt not making it move, etc. I didn't rinse the wheel's filter media itself (I know that's where all the good bacteria is...), but the little spindle ends and the stand it rests on. There's plenty of water flow to spin the wheel, but the wheel just refuses to. I've had these filters before without this problem. hmmmm....
Back to my question... I was planning on getting a HOB protein skimmer (i.e. CPR BakPak, or SeaClone hob skimmer). Can I just take the bio wheel unit off of the tank, then put the protein skimmer on, or do I need to have the bio wheel unit AND the protein skimmer on the tank at the same time.
TIA!
-Scott
(ps. I'm leaning towards I don't need both units on the tank at once, but please just tell me if I'm wrong or not.
)
:jumping:
Back to my question... I was planning on getting a HOB protein skimmer (i.e. CPR BakPak, or SeaClone hob skimmer). Can I just take the bio wheel unit off of the tank, then put the protein skimmer on, or do I need to have the bio wheel unit AND the protein skimmer on the tank at the same time.
TIA!
-Scott
(ps. I'm leaning towards I don't need both units on the tank at once, but please just tell me if I'm wrong or not.
):jumping:
sagxman
Member
Those items serve 2 entirely different purposes. I would say, no matter what, get the protein skimmer. They are very helpful at removing gunk from your water. If you want to remove the biowheel, you need to be sure you have plenty of live rock to serve as your biological filtration. Many people don't run biowheels and do just fine. Just remember, a skimmer is not a substitute for the biowheel, but you might be able to do without the biowheel.
stanlalee
Active Member
You need a protein skimmer for reef or fish only. reef tanks need em because they require fairly prestine water conditions and fish only tanks need them because they arent nearly as good as reef tanks are in maintaining prestine water quality. My nitrates use to run about 20ppm or even approach 40ppm if I slacked on water changes when it was fish only. I didn't change any of the filtration but once it became a decently stocked reef tank nitrates wont go over 10ppm if I never do water changes and I have crushed coral.
As for the biowheel and the mechanical portion of the filter I dont think saltwater tanks really need em unless you have low surface area (few or no rocks ect) and inadequate clean up crew. liverock or base rock will take care of your biological filtration and clean up crew and proper feeding will nil the need for mechanical filtration. If you have a large tank there arent any HOB large enough anyway. All I have is a protein skimmer.
As for the biowheel and the mechanical portion of the filter I dont think saltwater tanks really need em unless you have low surface area (few or no rocks ect) and inadequate clean up crew. liverock or base rock will take care of your biological filtration and clean up crew and proper feeding will nil the need for mechanical filtration. If you have a large tank there arent any HOB large enough anyway. All I have is a protein skimmer.
valgae
Member
is ur filter new? if it is check the spray bar on your filter sometimes sediment or salt can clog it up or the water may not be spraying on your biowheel. if it is the spray bar turn off the filter, or if u like to clean up water leave it on. i had to learn the hard way. use the little brush it came with to clean the inside.