QT tank and bio wheel question

Mish · 01/29/2009, 10:17 AM

So I have a cycled QT tank with a bio wheel.

Can I save the bacteria on the wheel by floating it in the sump or refugium?

I think it will be mostly submerged, instead of it spinning in and out of the water... I thought the constant in and out of water is what kept the bacteria going?

an411 · 01/29/2009, 10:27 AM

I think that will work to keep the bacteria alive

LITHIUMSTATIC · 01/29/2009, 11:12 AM

yes

Brandon M · 01/29/2009, 12:38 PM

Yep, that's a great idea!

Skerp · 01/29/2009, 02:10 PM

This is probably a very noobie question but save the bacteria from what?

IslandCrow · 01/29/2009, 03:04 PM

What he's referring to is the fact that the biowheel works by serving as a medium for nitrifying bacteria. If you're not familiar with the nitrogen cycle, there should be articles covering that at the top of this forum. Anyway, it takes time for those bacteria to reach sufficient densities for biological filtration. By keeping the biowheel in the sump, the bacteria remain alive so the biowheel is ready to go the next time the quarantine tank is set up.

And yes, Mish, that plan will work just fine. I'd probably use something heavy to keep the biowheel submerged. If the exposed portion is allowed to dry out completely, the bacteria there will of course die. Allowing some interaction with air does in fact increase the efficiency of the bacteria, but for your purposes, you're only worried about them staying alive, not being at peak performance.

01/29/2009, 10:17 AM	#1
Mish Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: South Carolina Posts: 306	QT tank and bio wheel question So I have a cycled QT tank with a bio wheel. Can I save the bacteria on the wheel by floating it in the sump or refugium? I think it will be mostly submerged, instead of it spinning in and out of the water... I thought the constant in and out of water is what kept the bacteria going? __________________ Mish If you find yourself in a hole, it's best to stop digging.

01/29/2009, 12:38 PM	#4
Brandon M Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 1,116	Yep, that's a great idea! __________________ Brandon Current Tank Info: 315g 84"x24"x36" FOWLR

01/29/2009, 02:10 PM	#5
Skerp Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: NJ Posts: 229	This is probably a very noobie question but save the bacteria from what? __________________ “Things may come to those who wait...but only the things left by those who hustle.” -Abraham Lincoln- Current Tank Info: none yet

01/29/2009, 03:04 PM	#6
IslandCrow Reef Monkey Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Rockledge, Fl Posts: 5,759	What he's referring to is the fact that the biowheel works by serving as a medium for nitrifying bacteria. If you're not familiar with the nitrogen cycle, there should be articles covering that at the top of this forum. Anyway, it takes time for those bacteria to reach sufficient densities for biological filtration. By keeping the biowheel in the sump, the bacteria remain alive so the biowheel is ready to go the next time the quarantine tank is set up. And yes, Mish, that plan will work just fine. I'd probably use something heavy to keep the biowheel submerged. If the exposed portion is allowed to dry out completely, the bacteria there will of course die. Allowing some interaction with air does in fact increase the efficiency of the bacteria, but for your purposes, you're only worried about them staying alive, not being at peak performance. __________________ All opinions in the above message should be taken with 35 ppt salt. -Mike C. Current Tank Info: I have a reef screen saver on my phone, does that count?

01/29/2009, 10:27 AM	#2
an411 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Derby CT Posts: 2,861	I think that will work to keep the bacteria alive

01/29/2009, 11:12 AM	#3
LITHIUMSTATIC Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Tyler TX Posts: 41	yes