How to get rid of this Bio-Wheel filter

[opivyfan1313]

Just converted a 29g freshwater to a saltwater tank

I have 40 lbs of live rock in it and 2 powerheads circulating the water


I was wondering what I'd have to do to remove this ugly (and pretty much useless) hang-on bio-wheel filter?


I WANT the live rock to do the filtering, but if I remove the filter, won't that eliminate the oxygen supply???

Please help, and all recommendations are greatly appreciated!

[Reefscape]

Hey there....It should not remove the oxygen supply in the tank, as this is carried out at surface level by surface agitation.

The main question is "how long has the live rock been in the tank?" If it has been in for a few months, then you can safely remove the filter as the live rock will be providing the filtration for the most part now anyway and have a good enough bacteria level on and in the rock to carry out filtration. If the rock has only just been introduced, i would leave the filter on for a month or so, and start slowly removing media from the filter..

Ideally, a little more info is needed about your tank before a better answer can be given..

Niko

[opivyfan1313]

what would be agitating the surface then?

are the powerheads supposed to be pointed up or sticking out enough to make the water's surface different?

sorry...im new to this :(


and the live rock is pretty recent so I'll take your advice and wait a while.

[Max]

I would point my power heads in different directions so that you get a choatic flow that's good for all your fish and critters. I would assume that you've just started the cycle and would just take off the bio wheel and leave the filter and box on the back of your tank. IF it's a recent set up most of the bacteria responisble for denitrification are different in s.w. vs. f.w. hope this helps and that I'm understanding you correctly.
htnh
Max

[opivyfan1313]

that kind of helps...but do I have my powerheads too low or pointed in the wrong direction if it doesn't look like it's agitating the water's surface??

[Max]

I would just put a couple of drops of milk into the tank. It's harmless and you'll be able to see your water flow. the top of the tank should have some swirl/movement to it but, it shouldn't look like your toilet for example.
You just want to have a choatic water flow that gets to every part of your tank.
hth
Max