Penguin Bio-Wheel???

[Angel_Keeper]

Do i ever need to change the bio-wheel??? I just got it used and its in a blackish color is that bad???

I have the one that is 300,,, for how manny gallond is it for?? does it go good for a 55 gallon???

Thanks..

[Soulcoffr]

If you got it used, it might be contaminated or something. They're not too expensive, so I would go ahead and replace it for piece of mind.

http://www.bigalsonline.com/catalog/product.xml?product_id=26053;category_id=2637;pcid 1=1971;pcid2=

I think it would do fine for a 55g tank. Although you could always add a Penguin 200 for more filtration in addition to the filter you have.

[Lobo.]

the bio wheel will turn brown with use, and that is the bacteria growing on it (a good thing) but if it is from a used tank id use ur judgement and suspect it is as clean as the tank was that it came from. they are easy to replace but one that already has a colony built up on it would be a boost to your tank's amount of beneficial bacteria

[CatLover]

If the wheel is new when you first buy it, you should not need to replace it for a very long time.

If it gets dark, then you have bacteria - which is good.

Even if it starts to get heavy and turns irregularly, it is till fine. Just make sure you clean the axle type ends of the wheel. They sometimes get stuff hung on them.

I love the penguin marineland bio-wheel filters because the filter is very easy to dissasemble if you ever need to clean the innards of the filter if you start having problems. Just save the diagram.

Good luck!

[Angel_Keeper]

It also has these plastic things in the filter to hold like somekind of carbon and another one that has a light color carbon. what are those? do i need them?

[Angel_Keeper]

there are these things in the filter that are like small boxes inside of the filter in the back. One holds carbon and the other one has white rocks/carbon???. what are those???? do i need them???? or do i just need the bio-wheel and the cartiage???

Thank you.

Does anyone know??? Please???

[jason2894]

its all up to u i personally dont use carbon at all because in order for it to be effective u have to change it every 10 to 14 days. i actually took all the carbon out of my inserts for my penguin filters and used the plastic framework to rubberband poly fill to. it works great and it gives the bacteria another place to grow. with weekly gravel cleaning and water changes i really dont see a need for the use of carbon. it does purify the water but i just think its a waste of money.

[Angel_Keeper]

Ok so i dont Need the plastic boxes at the back that hold carbon???

And what is poly fill????

[rrkss]

Keep the plastic in even if you don't plan to use carbon. You never know if you ever need to medicate or want to do some quick polishing of the water.

[Angel_Keeper]

Yes but i will be using carbon anyways because it has the cartiages.

[rrkss]

Those media baskets are still nice to have. Since they are inside the filter you might as well keep them. You never know when you will use them. Maybe for some peat, crushed coral or some other chemical medium.

[YuccaPatrol]

Also consider filling those media baskets with another biological filter medium. I use the Seachem matrix stuff and it really boosts bio-filtration.

At the very least, leave the empty baskets in there and their surface area will serve to provide a small amount of area for good bacteria to colonize.

[Angel_Keeper]

Would it be good if i fill it with small rocks??