Bio-Wheel Filters? PICS

[jpeggerling]

I have a 20 gal. tank that I have had up and running for about 6 months. Im using a Bio-wheel filter right know. It has been working real well. I have never changed the filters out in it. I was wondering if anyone could tell me if it would be bad if I took them out? Im going to be adding a hang-on overflow box in the next couple of months. But do you think I should just leave them in?Thanks (Pics a little dark!)

 

[danfrith]

if its working, id leave it in. people do say thier nitrate factories though. nice tank btw!

 

[sir_dudeguy]

how many pounds of rock do you have? The biowheels can cause nitrates like dan said...so i'd rather take the wheel part off (and keep the fillter for flow) but only if you got more than 1 pound of rock per gallon of water.

 

[aclos3]

I used to run a couple of Penguin HoBs on my 18 gallon, with the BIO wheels removed. They did a nice job. I was not running a sump or skimmer.

 

[jpeggerling]

I have tested my nitrate and they are very high. I think im going to take out the filters one at a time. that way I dont spike the tank ahole lot! I have about 22 lbs of LR Im just going to run the filter for water flow.

 

[danfrith]

you can also add caulerpa or chaeto to your filter ( if you have space and a light for it) to bring down your nitrates.

 

[Lagger]

Take the biowheel out.......now. You have enough LR to sustain biological filtration and it's been running long enough now. Tank looks good

 

[racrumrine]

Nice pictures.

Normally, bio wheels don't wear out. So, you usually don't have to change them.

Before you pull the bio wheel, try to test what your nitrates are.

I have a 25 with live rock and a bio wheel. A couple of years ago, I removed the bio wheel. To my surprise (based on the advice on these forums) Nitrates stayed the same. In my experience having a protein skimmer and chaeto has more impact on your nitrate readings. I leave the bio wheel in now in order to have it wet and ready when I need to set up a QT.

Best of luck,

Roy