Bio wheel + CO2
- Thread starter J.Fisher
- Start date
It isn't "bad" per se, but you'll just have to be injecting more CO2, which means you are potentially wasting money.
The reason behind this is that surface agitation will cause the water/air exchange to increase, and this allows the injected CO2 to gas off more readily into the atmosphere, which really isn't the point, as you're injecting the CO2 into the water
The reason behind this is that surface agitation will cause the water/air exchange to increase, and this allows the injected CO2 to gas off more readily into the atmosphere, which really isn't the point, as you're injecting the CO2 into the water
But then wouldn't that mean all power filters are a bad because all of them cause surface agitation, not just the bio-wheel filters?
I wouldn't say HOBs are 'bad', just less suitable for planted tanks. I use HOBs on my small tanks, and need to use more CO2 to achieve the same results I get on my 65g, where I use a canister. Bio-wheels definitely cause you to lose more CO2 than other HOBs - I just removed the wheel from my Penguin 170 and without changing anything else the CO2 in the tank went from ~12ppm to ~20ppm. I find it's helpful to keep the water level as high as possible so the surface rolls but there's no splashing from the outflow.
If I am to avoid too much surface agitation than I should hope my plants are producing enough oxygen for my fish.
I have been looking at canister filters since I never have liked the Emperor. The bio wheels seem to do their job but the impeller stops running periodically.
I have been looking at canister filters since I never have liked the Emperor. The bio wheels seem to do their job but the impeller stops running periodically.
I like canister filters but you should look at prefilters. Lots of times the impellers get junk in them which causes problems. The water level with a hang on the back filter can make a big difference. I also hang things in front of the return to dissipate the water flow. You don't want the water churning.
I am not sure that makes sense. Basically you want a filter that does the bio filtration. You don't want a lot of water surface churn, but you do need some. If the bio wheels returns to much oxygen you may want to up the CO2, or add some Flourish excel.
You are just looking for a balance. There are many ways you can do it. Use the ones that work for you, compensate for what you have.
I am not sure that makes sense. Basically you want a filter that does the bio filtration. You don't want a lot of water surface churn, but you do need some. If the bio wheels returns to much oxygen you may want to up the CO2, or add some Flourish excel.
You are just looking for a balance. There are many ways you can do it. Use the ones that work for you, compensate for what you have.
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I use a biowheel on my planted tank. I dose Flourish Excel for carbon and so don't run the risk of gassing it off. When I buy a larger tank I will do pressurized CO2 and a canister filter(s). Dosing Excel regularly in large tanks would just be too much money for me.