carbon/zeolite mix is it worth buying ?

This is what they look like (Bio-wheel Pro 60 unpowered):

con_pic2_bwpro.jpg


Here's a link to the manufactures site:
http://www.marineland.com/products/consumer/con_bwpro.asp
 
bio-wheel

how do you like your magnum ? my old whisper power filter i had before i moved ran for 12 years and along with an UGF, i restarted the tank this time without the UGF, i wanted the tetra-tech 500 but it was too wide for my openings on the back of tru-vu plexi 100 gallon, so i had to rethink filters and the magnum 350 delux is what i could afford, the hoses were a major pain !!! the coupling nuts kept breaking without hardly any pressure, so i replaced them all with small auto hose clamps, by the way, have you used the gravel vac feature that comes with it ? if so, how well does it work ? I have a python i use to fill the tank and another shorter gravel vac that i siphon water into and it is REALLY strong, cleans great but just wonderin' about the magnums gravel vac ability so i can vac and not have to replace the water each time i want to vac.:)
 
Bert:
We have a 125 gal. Cichlid tank with a Magnum 350 for chemical filteration (Charcoal) and 2 ea Emperor 400 (double bio-wheel) filters for the biological filter.
This is my first experence with a bio-wheel over an UGF. I am in the process of replacing all my other tanks UGF's with bio-wheel filters. They work great I have not seen any spikes in the ammonia to nitrate cycle since we set up this tank in Oct 2003. I suggest you use the Magnum for charcoal as intended, charcoal will remove oders as well as the nasty trace elements in tap water. Note: charcoal does not remove chlorine or chlorimine.
I agree with the reply that ammo-chips can hide a serious ammonia problem as the product does nothing for nitrite or nitrates. Good Luck.:cool:
 
filter

thanks handyman, have you tried the gravel vac feature of the filter yet ? and on the bio-wheel, it attaches inline with the magnum ? does it reduce the outflow of the magnums outflow tube ?
bert
 
Re: filter

Originally posted by bert
thanks handyman, have you tried the gravel vac feature of the filter yet ? and on the bio-wheel, it attaches inline with the magnum ? does it reduce the outflow of the magnums outflow tube ?
bert
Click to expand...

Yes, it will cut the outflow in half (roughly) but increases surface agitation (not desired in planetd tanks from what I understand). In my case it's a good thing because I have one on a 38g tank as well as my 50 breeder and it doesn't cause too much circulation. It also allowed me to add a second filter to my 50 breeder (HOT magnum 250 with micron filter) without creating too much current.

I have not used the vacuume feature. I have a Python and it is easier for me to vacuum the tank and do a 10% water change than to attach gravel cleaner, vacuum the gravel, take the filter appart, clean the media and put it all back together. If you don't have a python get one! :p
 
Re: bio-wheel

Originally posted by bert
how do you like your magnum ?
Click to expand...

I like it a lot. I am a big fan of the biowheel. I own two magnum 350 pro systems as well as the HOT magnum 250.
I can't afford Eheim yet but, would love to own one of their canisters as I understand they are the best. I also considered getting a fluval (I hope I don't turn this thread into a canister filter debate :).) but, I found the hoses to be really chincy and it made me nervous. I didn't want water all over my house.

Originally posted by bert
the hoses were a major pain !!! the coupling nuts kept breaking without hardly any pressure, so i replaced them all with small auto hose clamps,
Click to expand...

I had trouble getting those **** rubber rings around the house to secure it over the slip fittings. I haven't had trouble with anything breaking though. :confused:

Good luck, hope this helped :).
 
filter

thanks DeVitaf it sure did, the gravel vav feature is nice if you don't own a python but i do and it is much easier and quicker to do water changes and gravel vac. i agree the time to disassemble and reassemble would take a long time , so i will just stick to the old fashiond way, thanks for the info. !!:)
 
Bert:
We have tried the gravel vac on the magnum 350 and the HOT Magnum and do not like it. With a floss sleave on the micro cartridge, the micro certridge clogged in about 3 minutes. The filter is not easly cleaned and can't be cleaned back to original condition. They are also expesive the best price I have found is apx. $9.00 each. We use ours only for a mech. filter with the charcoal and a floss sleve.
Since we have 2 Emperor 400's (bio-wheel) we haven't tried the bio-wheel accessory.
I have never used a python.
I use a Vortex XL diatom filter to clean the gravel with a siphon on the intake. Also use a recirculation valve. Not only does it stay clog free it outputs incredably clear water back to the tank. I then allow it to run for a couple hours to scrub the water. When finished just shake it, remove the jar, and pour the crud down the toilet. Rinse off the filter element and your good to go. By the way a diatom XL cost less than a Magnum 350 see (petsmart.com)
Vortex also mfg. a diatomous earth / charcoal mix for their filters. I havent tried it yet so I dont know how well it performs.
 
filter

sounds like a lot of work and time , the python does the job for me, clogged in 3 minutes ? you would have to disassemble the filter to clean it several times . glad i didn't try to do it thatway then. sounds like you found a great system to clean your tank !
 
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