Adding BioWheel Filter to an established tank?

[wagohn]

Hi all,

I have an established 30 gallon tank with lots of live rock and a single clown fish inhabitant (8 yr old tank and fish). I run a skimmer and up until recently a standalone, hang on reactor for holding carbon. However, the reacor leaked all over the floor and so I want to use an old biowheel filter just to hold carbon or other needed media. The filter is a Marineland Emperor 280 BIOWHEEL model:

http://www.animalworldnetwork.com/maem280fisy.html

My question is, what are the chance of endangering my clown fish if I let the biowheel part of the filter establish itself? If I take the biowheel off the filter the filters "spraybar" makes a loud splashing noise that I do not want. Also, I think it would be advantageous to have the extra biowheel filter media assisting the tank. Any thoughts ? My first priority is my clown fish.

Thanks so much.

 

[disc1]

Take the biowheel off and use the filter without it. The wheel just turns into a nitrate factory.

 

[Uncle Salty 05]

I would remove both the biowheel and spraybar and plug the hole through which water flowed to the spraybar.
This will accomplish two things - quieting the unit and forcing more water through the carbon.:thumbsup:

 

[wagohn]

Thanks guys - I vaguely remember that the nitrates/biowheel situation was the reason why I put the filter into storage in the first place. I just yanked the spraybar apart and blocked the water-feed hole with plastic sheeting. The tube then holds the sheeting tightly in place when replaced.

Thanks again

 

[wagohn]

Another quick question - would I be best using the Marineland Emperor carbom/floss cartridges or be best just stuffing in a chemi-pure pouch into the filter? Would the cartridges have the same problem as the biowheel - in that the cartridge "blue" wall would upset the tanks balance as it matures/acclimates?

Thanks much.