Adding a Bio-Wheel

[berkdog]

Hmm... I currently have a canister (Fluval FX5) on my 72gallon tank with about 70 pounds of live rock. Would adding a bio-wheel filter hurt my system? I picked up a Marineland Bio-Wheel 350 that was on sale (is it the same type as a bio-ball???). I was going to put it in my QT tank, but the QT I bought came with another filter (package = cheaper), so I was considering adding the bio-wheel 350 to my 72 gallon tank, maybe forever. Also adding on a Remora Pro protein skimmer.

Thanks! As a reminder, I'm aiming for a FOWLR system, and am still in the initial cycling process. The bio-wheel still is unused and returnable, even though I got a pretty good deal for it

[leebca]

I moved your post to its own thread since it was a different subject.

Put on more biological filtration if it is needed. You may need a bit more if you're going with just 70 pounds of live rock. But if the internal circulation is 10X the total system volume per hour, with substrate, with mechanical filter, and you plan on a light bio-load, that should suffice without the additional bio filtration.

Regarding the QT, stick with the recommendation of using just an inexpensive corner sponge filter, it has many advantages. See this if you haven't already read through it: A Quarantine Process (step-by-step).

[berkdog]

Thanks leebca!

The FX5 supposedly does 925gph which is a bit more than 10x for my 72 gallon tank. I'll take the bio-wheel filter back and save some money

In the QT process, you suggest to put the sponge filter in the display tank first 4-8 weeks so it absorbs beneficial/necessary bacteria. Should I do that starting now and put maybe 2 sponge filters in? Once the filter goes to the QT, it should never go back to the display tank, right? So does the QT survive forever if you "keep it alive" with random food items as described? Or would I need the sponge filter bacteria to be replaced occasionally?

Thank you!

[leebca]

Put filter sponge in sump at the point it says to, in this procedure: Setting Up a FOWLR Aquarium

If the sponge is used in quarantine and the fish are healthy, the filter can go back into the sump. If the sponge used in the QT was there when fish were cured of a common illness, then the fish are cured and the filter is okay to use again. I would probably just recommend not putting the sponge back into the sump if it came into contact with copper or other meds.

Remember, if the fish can go into the DT, then why not the sponge filter? If in doubt, or it was a strange disease, or a med was used other than antibiotics, throw it away (the filter, not the fish!). They are very inexpensive.

[berkdog]

Thanks leebca! Do you have any links on how to make a sponge filter? I searched and searched, watched some youtube videos but still don't get it.

I bought an air pump, some tubing, and some sponges. But won't that push air out of the sponge (when connected)? And don't I want to suck water in from the sponge? I just don't get how to do that with an air pump. Or do I need to use a powerhead/water pump?

Thanks!

[leebca]

This is one of the things you definitely don't want to make it yourself. Of the things you can DIY, this isn't one to bother with. Get to a Petco or a chain store with an aquarium section and pick one up. They look like this:
Foam Aquarium Biological Filters: Oxygen Plus Bio-Filter 11
or the traditional corner sponge filter:
Lee's Sponge Filter-Triangle at Big Al's Online (Although I have no connection with this one!)

[berkdog]

Ok, thanks! I'll get a few of these and extra sponges.

Question: they require the use of airline tubing and an air filter... doesn't that pose the same question I have earlier? how does a filter work when it just pushes air through a sponge? Shouldn't it need to suck up debris through the sponge? This is just a general question about sponge filters!

[leebca]

Careful about your choice of words as you learn more hobby language.

The sponge needs air line and an air pump. The air goes into a thin tube embedded into the sponge. The air then goes into a small chamber at the base of what is called the lift tube in the center of the sponge, then up the lift tube, out into the aquarium. The water in the lift tube has more air in it that the water outside of the sponge, so water in the lift tube is lighter and 'goes up.' This draws water through the sponge to get to the lift tube (to replace the water that is going up the lift tube). Thus water constantly passes through the sponge.

People have figured out what kind of sponge to use so the flow is proper, the size of the tubing both going in and the lift tube, size of the 'cavity' mentioned, etc. so it all works efficiency and optimally.

It will become more clear when you get one and look it over.

[berkdog]

That clears it a lot. Thank you! Yeah, I went around looking for these yesterday, 2 stores didn't have it. I'll try again