Emperor Biowheel in a Penguin?

vames · 08/27/2009, 12:31 PM

Alright, I'm new and still brainstormin'. Can anyone tell me if the following would work?

I have an Emperor 400b with 2 biowheels. I was planning on using this on a 46gal bowfront that'll be a FOWLR tank for now. (I'll also have a skimmer. It's not yet setup, though...so things could change). I was planning (hoping) to use a somewhat smaller and cheaper Penguin BioWheel filter on my quarantine tank. Now, I doubt I'll have the QT up and running all the time, so my idea is that I would just swap out the dry penguin biowheel with one of the biowheels from my emperor, thus putting the fully colonized biowheel in the QT tank filter (and recolonizing the dry one in my DT). My first question is, will it even fit? In other words, are they a standard size that is interchangeable? Second question is, is this a reasonable idea or am I overlooking some other Bad Thing?

Thanks for the thoughts!

Ohiomom · 08/27/2009, 01:11 PM

from what I have understood it isn't a good idea to use the bio wheels period in a saltwater tank as they become nitrate factories. Can't remember where I read it cause it has been a few years but think you would be better off maybe using some filter media instead. hth

vames · 08/27/2009, 01:20 PM

I was under the impression that the biowheels were good, that they became bacteria factories (much like the live rock). But if I'm mistaken, I'd MUCH rather be corrected now than after everything is setup.

100%hydrophylic · 08/27/2009, 01:21 PM

im pretty sure all marineland cartridges and bio wheels are standard sizes for each other. i use an emperor 400 with the biowheel. my tank is still cycling so idk about these bio wheels particularly, but i also have an eclipse with a bio wheel. its a nano reef and everything does fine. ive heard some people wash the bio wheels every couple of weeks so the nitrates dont build up too fast, but i think washing it is just contradictory to its purpose of having bacteria

Ohiomom · 08/27/2009, 01:23 PM

I think the site I had searched was from
www.wetwebmedia.com..I had thought so initially but then took them out because of what I had read..check there and if I find the link I will post it.. you can still however use the filter.

p.s. could be confusing bio wheels with bio balls also..but in any respect I think it is a judgement call on what works for you..

100%hydrophylic · 08/27/2009, 01:33 PM

ohiomom bioballs and bio wheels serve the same purpose and you are right that they could cause high nitrates. but in my opinion it all depends on your particular system. some people (like me) dont have problems with biowheels, but others constantly have nitrate issues. sooo if your filter comes with biowheels then i would say use them for a while and decide if you like them or not. if you dont like them then simply take them out

08/27/2009, 12:31 PM	#1
vames Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: NW Indiana Posts: 75	Emperor Biowheel in a Penguin? Alright, I'm new and still brainstormin'. Can anyone tell me if the following would work? I have an Emperor 400b with 2 biowheels. I was planning on using this on a 46gal bowfront that'll be a FOWLR tank for now. (I'll also have a skimmer. It's not yet setup, though...so things could change). I was planning (hoping) to use a somewhat smaller and cheaper Penguin BioWheel filter on my quarantine tank. Now, I doubt I'll have the QT up and running all the time, so my idea is that I would just swap out the dry penguin biowheel with one of the biowheels from my emperor, thus putting the fully colonized biowheel in the QT tank filter (and recolonizing the dry one in my DT). My first question is, will it even fit? In other words, are they a standard size that is interchangeable? Second question is, is this a reasonable idea or am I overlooking some other Bad Thing? Thanks for the thoughts!

08/27/2009, 01:11 PM	#2
Ohiomom Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 1,586	from what I have understood it isn't a good idea to use the bio wheels period in a saltwater tank as they become nitrate factories. Can't remember where I read it cause it has been a few years but think you would be better off maybe using some filter media instead. hth __________________ .....Sandra “Being happy doesn't mean that everything is perfect. It means that you've decided to look beyond the imperfections.” Current Tank Info: 75 galllon reef, T5HO love em!

08/27/2009, 01:20 PM	#3
vames Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: NW Indiana Posts: 75	I was under the impression that the biowheels were good, that they became bacteria factories (much like the live rock). But if I'm mistaken, I'd MUCH rather be corrected now than after everything is setup. __________________ --Vic Current Tank Info: 46gal bowfront mixed reef, Koralia Evo 1050 + Koralia 3, AquaC Remora Pro, Current Sundial 4x39w T5s.

08/27/2009, 01:21 PM	#4
100%hydrophylic Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: GA Posts: 1,636	im pretty sure all marineland cartridges and bio wheels are standard sizes for each other. i use an emperor 400 with the biowheel. my tank is still cycling so idk about these bio wheels particularly, but i also have an eclipse with a bio wheel. its a nano reef and everything does fine. ive heard some people wash the bio wheels every couple of weeks so the nitrates dont build up too fast, but i think washing it is just contradictory to its purpose of having bacteria __________________ :) Current Tank Info: 75g mixed reef, 28g nano SPS

08/27/2009, 01:23 PM	#5
Ohiomom Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 1,586	I think the site I had searched was from www.wetwebmedia.com..I had thought so initially but then took them out because of what I had read..check there and if I find the link I will post it.. you can still however use the filter. p.s. could be confusing bio wheels with bio balls also..but in any respect I think it is a judgement call on what works for you.. __________________ .....Sandra “Being happy doesn't mean that everything is perfect. It means that you've decided to look beyond the imperfections.” Current Tank Info: 75 galllon reef, T5HO love em!

08/27/2009, 01:33 PM	#6
100%hydrophylic Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: GA Posts: 1,636	ohiomom bioballs and bio wheels serve the same purpose and you are right that they could cause high nitrates. but in my opinion it all depends on your particular system. some people (like me) dont have problems with biowheels, but others constantly have nitrate issues. sooo if your filter comes with biowheels then i would say use them for a while and decide if you like them or not. if you dont like them then simply take them out __________________ :) Current Tank Info: 75g mixed reef, 28g nano SPS