BIO Wheel

[masonicman]

It was mentioned to me that a bio wheel is a nitrate factory in salt water tanks. Is this true?

 

[phurst]

Yes, it is. Boiwheels are a great place for the bacteria that convert ammonia to nitrite and nitrite to nitrate, but the bacteria that convert nitrate into nitrate gas require anaerobic (low oxygen) conditions such as those in the bottom portion of a DSB or in live rock. Biowheels are great for FW tanks or fish only tnaks, but CAN cause problems in a reef where nitrate buildup is a concern.

 

[masonicman]

Ok I will pull it then. Good to know this before it was to late for my corals. I am struggling with high nitrates. Performing to many water changes then normal.

 

[risika67]

Do you have a canister filter as well?

 

[84chris]

Sorry to jump in on this thread but is it good/bad for me to keep my biowheel on my 20g fowlr then?

 

[Chelito1234]

IMO u should remove the bio wheel it's a pain in the neck for reef tanks because the nitrate never gets down, it stays at 10-20 some coral will adapt to it but some will be in stress and die... that's my opinion.

 

[m2434]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10958165#post10958165 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by phurst
the bacteria that convert nitrate into nitrate gas require anaerobic (low oxygen) conditions

Not low oxygen, NO OXYGEN!

Also, there is not really any good scientific evidence yet showing why biowheels or any other type of filter might cause nitrate increases. The current level of knowledge is completely empirical. The theory is that they convert nitrite to nitrate faster than the denitrifying bacteria can keep up and you end up with too much nitrates. This doesn't really make sense however, because there is X amount of ammonia and in order for it, not to harm your tank, it needs to be converted to nitrate quickly. I.e. one way or another it is being converted to nitrate. Therefore there has to be something missing from this hypothesis and there have been a few theories to account for this, but none have been validated in any way...

That being said however, many people have reported increased nitrates with such filters and there is no evidence that they are necessary, or even benificial, so personally I would get rid of it...

 

[yellowwatchmen]

 

[Justin James]

Biowheels and sponges in filters are all "BAD". I would never run a sponge or biowheel in a filter. The sponge is the worst. The sponge holds all the bad crap in it turning into the source of high nitrates in a tank. The biowheel does this too but on a smaller level. If you do run a sponge for a prefilter over an intake or skimmer return then you should clean it very regular!