Okay, I have my 25 gallon set up with 33 lbs of LR, 4 in. sand bed. This is an Eclipse system. NOw the filter system on it basically a pump that filters water through a pad, and carbon filtration, then exposing water to a BIOWHEEL before water goes back in tank. Now, I have two Clarki's and Watchman Goby, Peppermint shrimp, Coral Banded Shrimp, snails, and scarlet, black white hermits. I plan to get mushrooms and some soft corals. Do I take out the BIOWHEEL and just use the mechanical filtration of padding and carbon, or keep the same setup? This is the last thing I will do. Then hopefully i can leave my setup alone and just slowly add livestock

-Ilham

i would think you should remove the bio wheel nad the the bio of you live rock and sand hand that..

Hi Ilham,
Your rock and sand bed will become your tanks filtration system in time. The biowheel and filter pad, if kept, will cause problems in time as they accumulate bio-material, ie. tank waste. You may have the best intentions to keep these materials as clean as you think you can, but they will become the center of nitrate production as the bacteria use the ammonia and nitrite for energy. The filter pad will also remove alot of the plankton life and other 'suspended' materials that the corals directly use for their own growth, thus inhibiting coral growth. The carbon should stay, b/c corals (esp. softies) produce toxins in their mucus that they use to defend their territory. In a closed system these toxins can build up and cause many problems, the carbon helps to eliminate this problem. I would also suggest that you NOT add any other fish - your fish load is already enough for a 25 gallon. Do you have a skimmer for your tank? That, I would say, would be a more important piece of filtration equipment than any biowheel. Don't mind me asking, but why did you get a biowheel?
Mark

I have/had(in the process of changing)the same system. I removed the bio-wheel with no problem. I left the filter/carbon pad in place and changed it weekly. Ran great with no problems. I am currently in the process of revamping the tank to new lighting and using a Remora skimmer. That reminds me, I ran a small in-tank Sanders skimmer in the Eclipse hood. It fits just perfectly under the hood no problem. Look on my site and you will see it.

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We as hobbyists need to respect the reef, educate and learn so that it will live on for all to enjoy.
bajathree
Come Dive Into
Baja3Reef

Very nice tank Baja! I'd be interested in knowing more about your equipment and how you maintain it.

Elmo - I have an eclipse, I think it is ~29 or 30 gal though. I ended up scrapping the entire hood - the bio stuff is nothing but trouble, and the lights are weak - about the only thing you would be able to keep is fish. I bought a cpr bakpak skimmer and a 24" PC hood. I haven't had the hood long enough to notice any results. If you have good live rock and a deep sand bed - that, coupled with a good protein skimmer should be enough to filter your water.

I also have a bio wheel filter set up on my 15/h and am soon going to take it out. Im glad someone brought his up

JMM

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Remember Fish are alive when we get them, lets keep it that way!!!