Bio-Wheel ????

[helipilot]

I recentley read a thread about removing the Bio-wheel from the Emperor filter. It didn't say why. Do I need to remove mine? Thanks in advance. Helipilot

 

[Paintbug]

it will be a good idea to. they are known to cause high nitrate levels. anything with bio in its name will cause this. the reason is the bacteria that lives on the bio media will break down ammonia to nitrites, then nitrites to nitrates, but it cant break down the nitrates to nitrogen gas. therefore the nitrates cant exit the water. if you have a FO tank then the nitrates arent really a problem. with a reef though nitrate levels as low as 5 ppm can cause problems with corals and some inverts.

 

[smleee]

It'd be best to, as described above, though you can still use the carbon if you'd like.

eee

 

[helipilot]

Thanks Paintbug. I wonder if the Bio-Wheel is contributing to my cyano problem ???? I have removed the wheel.

 

[AdidaKev]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6633516#post6633516 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by helipilot
I wonder if the Bio-Wheel is contributing to my cyano problem ????

That is definitely a good possibility. Removing the Bio-Wheel was a good idea.

 

[Paintbug]

most definitely! cyano feeds off of nitrates, and phosphates. test for both and go from there. i had a huge outbreak myself. i had been getting slack on my water changes, and testing. i had a few bio-balls left in my wet/dry(all wet now ). i checked my nitrates and they were at 20ppm. so after a month of syphoning out the cyano, and weekly 15 gal water changes, removing the 30 or so bio-balls, they are now at <5ppm still a little high but managable. the reason i left some of the bio-balls in the sump was so the water falling through wouldnt be so loud. i can deal with the noise more than the cyano any day LOL!!

 

[boxfishpooalot]

If the wheel can be removed from it, just use it for water flow.

The reason being is that the mechanical sponge(wheel) traps organics(dirt) wich is a carbon source. This source lets bacteria have a feast to eat. As they eat it it results in higher nitrates.

Some people use a micron bag. Its just a cloth with micron(hole size) so small that it removes the dirt smaller than the specified micron. But they usually clean this bag under water every 1-3 days for sure.