View Full Version : Changing a bio-wheel
bghill
02-26-2007, 5:08 PM
I was wondering on how long one should last but more importantly, what steps need to be taken before switching one out.
I was thinking that it would be a good idea to drop the new one into the tank for a month or so before switching.
Has anyone ever changed a bio-wheel before?
jm1212
02-26-2007, 5:12 PM
you shouldnt need to unless it falls apart.
liv2padl
02-26-2007, 5:17 PM
how long one should last practically a lifetime. ;)
snickle
02-26-2007, 5:20 PM
UNless it is falling apart no reason to replace. If it too dirty to move just drop it id the tank for a couple of hours. That was marinelab's suggestion.
wataugachicken
02-26-2007, 5:23 PM
As long as it doesn't have big holes rotted through it and it still does a spin every few seconds, it's working.
icecubez189
02-26-2007, 6:35 PM
your biowheel is where a lot of bacteria has developed as part of your biofiltration, hence its purpose. you don't need to replace it unless it's damaged.
Atomix-MFK
02-26-2007, 6:39 PM
Every year or so, I hold mine under old tank water in a pot and give it a shake.
mostlycichlids
02-26-2007, 6:50 PM
Every year or so, I hold mine under old tank water in a pot and give it a shake.
You should never have to replace it it should practacally last forever..Holding it under tap water and shaking it will do nothing...The biowheel holds mostly all of the filters bacteria and changing it will get rid of a lot of bacteria needed.
Mgamer20o0
02-26-2007, 7:36 PM
you might want to clean it with tank water here and there.... but no need to change the bio wheel or the sponges or anything unless its falling apart.
Atomix-MFK
02-26-2007, 9:42 PM
Tap water would actually kill all the bacteria. I give mine a quick shake in old tank water to get rid of some of the schmeg that builds up on the surface.
Marinemom
02-26-2007, 11:27 PM
Don't change the bio-wheel unless it is damaged in some way and will not turn or spin. The bio-wheel is where all the good bacteria is that supports the life in your aquarium.
Marinemom
BucJason
02-27-2007, 4:31 PM
It shouldn't get very dirty if you are doing regular filter maintenance....The bio-wheel is usually directly behind the filter media, so only freshly filtered water is running over it.
snickle
02-27-2007, 7:26 PM
They can get dirty if you have a quick algae blom that clogs the filter, the overflow keeps the unit from overflowing, but the bio-wheel gets dirty.
Again, this can be poor maintenance, as it was in my case.
It shouldn't get very dirty if you are doing regular filter maintenance....The bio-wheel is usually directly behind the filter media, so only freshly filtered water is running over it.