Bio-Wheel Better than standard filter?

reptileguy2727 said:
nitrifying bacteria include nitrosomes and nitrobacter.
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actually, that's in SW. in FW, it's Nitrospira, Nitrosomonas, and Nitrosospira. Just learned that recently myself :)

That's why Biospira is the only bacteria additive that works in FW. The others usually contain Nitrosomas and Nitrobacter.
 
I like the HOB filters with the bio-wheel for smaller tanks and I have them on several of my smaller tanks. For bigger tanks I perfer a canister filter because it is much more efficient, tends to be quieter, and keeps the water pristine.

Marinemom
 
I have a 55g Tank that will be fully planted soon. IM leaning more towards a canister type thanks..
 
There is a theory that Bio-Wheels will gas out CO2 if you are adding it for plant use....It sounds correct, anyone know if this is in fact true and how bad gas-off is?
 
plah831 said:
actually, that's in SW. in FW, it's Nitrospira, Nitrosomonas, and Nitrosospira. Just learned that recently myself :)

That's why Biospira is the only bacteria additive that works in FW. The others usually contain Nitrosomas and Nitrobacter.
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where did you get this info? i have never heard it. what does each break down? is one of them a denitrifying anaerobic bacteria (turning nitrates into nitrogen gas that then disipates out of the tank)? otherwise i cant figure why there are 3.
 
Yes a bio-wheel will outgas co2 as well as let oxygen in. Basically, water naturally seeks to have equal amounts of co2 and oxygen as the air. These gasses can exchange back and forth except for one factor- the surface tension of the water which impedes the free exchange. However, any form of surface aggitation will break the surface tension and allow for the free transfer of gas and let the water and air to be in equilibrium. That is why any filter which aggitates the surface, including the rising bubbles from an air stone or sponge will cause much of the co2 added to a tank to outgas and why most folks who add co2 to their tanks run canister filters who's output can be directed in such a way as to minimize or eliminate surface aggitation.
 
reptileguy2727 said:
where did you get this info? i have never heard it. what does each break down? is one of them a denitrifying anaerobic bacteria (turning nitrates into nitrogen gas that then disipates out of the tank)? otherwise i cant figure why there are 3.
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I got this info off the Marineland website for Bio-Spira. I then looked up the inventor's name on scholar.google.com and saw he has published several papers in the last 10 years stating his discovery that those two species are not responsible for nitrification in FW environments.

I didn't read them so am not sure why there are 3 species. I don't think 1 is a denitrifier, as that would require anoxic conditions. You're welcome to go their site and find those papers and report back! :)
 
thank you, thats what i needed. the only ones i ever remember reading about are the nitrosomes and nitrobacter.
 
TwoTankAmin said:
Yes a bio-wheel will outgas co2 as well as let oxygen in. Basically, water naturally seeks to have equal amounts of co2 and oxygen as the air. These gasses can exchange back and forth except for one factor- the surface tension of the water which impedes the free exchange. However, any form of surface aggitation will break the surface tension and allow for the free transfer of gas and let the water and air to be in equilibrium. That is why any filter which aggitates the surface, including the rising bubbles from an air stone or sponge will cause much of the co2 added to a tank to outgas and why most folks who add co2 to their tanks run canister filters who's output can be directed in such a way as to minimize or eliminate surface aggitation.
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So true.

I've got two Magnum 350's on my big planted tank w/ DIY CO2, and two Bio-Wheels. I have to aim the primary output down into the water column to limit the surface agitation, since the Bio-Wheels do enough of that.

A little CO2 goes a long way...I have to regularly prune the Vals and Hygrophila, though I'd probably get more growth without the Bio-Wheels stirring up the surface (and thus outgassing some of that hard-earned CO2). It's a nice equilibrium, though...healthy plants, a good bacterial colony on the wheels, and enough surface agitation for the fish.

v/r, N-A

P.S. I bought the Penguin Bio-Wheel mini parts for the two HOB 5-15 filters that came with my kids' Wally-world 10 gallon tanks, and now they've each got a wheel churning away. It has made a difference.
 
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