Me neither.
As for the bacteria, so true. But the highest concentration of the bacteria will be where there are highest oxygen levels in the water and the most surface area (assuming one allows enough time for the bacteria to colonize).
From AC to BioWheel
- Thread starter hollyfish2000
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Me neither.
As for the bacteria, so true. But the highest concentration of the bacteria will be where there are highest oxygen levels in the water and the most surface area (assuming one allows enough time for the bacteria to colonize).
mchambers
Former CCA member
I concur
I kept the two cartridges that were in it. I expect that eventually I'll cutoff the fabric and carbon (not charcoal!) and replace them with some foam on at least one of the frames. There are DIY instructions on the Internet. I don't think there is a refillable catridge that fits the Penguin slots.
I may also add some biomedia, but tend to believe the biowheel story. In fact, I recently saw a post about biowheels by Dr. Tim Hovanec, formerly of Marineland, that was very interesting. When I return from vacation, I'll post the link here.
I also slip a piece of fairly porous foam over the intake to add another place for bacteria and to protect fry and shrimp.
Holly, for me, your timing is impeccable, as I just got a Penguin 150 (I won the 29 gallon set up at the ACA). I prefer Aquaclear, but am happy to use the 150.
I kept the two cartridges that were in it. I expect that eventually I'll cutoff the fabric and carbon (not charcoal!) and replace them with some foam on at least one of the frames. There are DIY instructions on the Internet. I don't think there is a refillable catridge that fits the Penguin slots.
I may also add some biomedia, but tend to believe the biowheel story. In fact, I recently saw a post about biowheels by Dr. Tim Hovanec, formerly of Marineland, that was very interesting. When I return from vacation, I'll post the link here.
I also slip a piece of fairly porous foam over the intake to add another place for bacteria and to protect fry and shrimp.
Avatar
Plenipotentiary-at-large
Originally Posted by Avatar
I understand perfectly well what bacteria do and don't do without pedestrian explanations. Replaceable materials in filters (be they cartridges and/or in your case activated carbon) are, in my estimation, overvalued and unnecessary, the only point I was ever trying to make and one that has yet to be disputed.
If one washes media cartridges in hot (and probably chlorinated) water as you suggest, what does that do to the bacteria? It kills them as you and nearly everyone else knows, which I see as unfortunate since biological filtration is in general the only truly essential type of filtration, and is much more useful and otherwise enduring than witch hunts for alleged and unspecified 'toxins'.
How long does it take to 'cycle' water in a tank? One can measure it in minutes with an established filter depending on filter size and flow rate so yes, cycling a 'tank' is a misnomer as the only essential 'cycle' that must be 'established' is the one that occurs inside the filter. None of this is rocket science. My only intent in weighing in on this thread was to disabuse people of the need to become ensnared in an endless cycle of buying flimsy and overpriced replacement cartridges to perform generally needless removals of toxins that almost never exist in sufficient quantity to merit the cost.
Activated carbon and filters that utilize replaceable/disposable medias are not essential for freshwater aquaria. Period. Furthermore, if one maintains a lot of tanks, disposable cartridges are basically a fool's game given the available options. You obviously are enamored of one or both — so, as it's a free country and you may do whatever you like, bully for you. For my part I will continue to avoid disposable cartridges and maintain that they are like almost everything else that is labeled and sold as 'disposable' (diapers perhaps excepted) - possibly convenient but basically cr*p (guess that includes diapers after all).
Have an unopened carton of 'activated carbon' gathering dust that I can bring to the next meeting - of no use to me and yours for the asking.
Cheers.
Really? And within what post/thread/lifetime exactly did this discourse take place? On second thought, never mind - am quite sure I don't want to know.
I understand perfectly well what bacteria do and don't do without pedestrian explanations. Replaceable materials in filters (be they cartridges and/or in your case activated carbon) are, in my estimation, overvalued and unnecessary, the only point I was ever trying to make and one that has yet to be disputed.
If one washes media cartridges in hot (and probably chlorinated) water as you suggest, what does that do to the bacteria? It kills them as you and nearly everyone else knows, which I see as unfortunate since biological filtration is in general the only truly essential type of filtration, and is much more useful and otherwise enduring than witch hunts for alleged and unspecified 'toxins'.
How long does it take to 'cycle' water in a tank? One can measure it in minutes with an established filter depending on filter size and flow rate so yes, cycling a 'tank' is a misnomer as the only essential 'cycle' that must be 'established' is the one that occurs inside the filter. None of this is rocket science. My only intent in weighing in on this thread was to disabuse people of the need to become ensnared in an endless cycle of buying flimsy and overpriced replacement cartridges to perform generally needless removals of toxins that almost never exist in sufficient quantity to merit the cost.
Activated carbon and filters that utilize replaceable/disposable medias are not essential for freshwater aquaria. Period. Furthermore, if one maintains a lot of tanks, disposable cartridges are basically a fool's game given the available options. You obviously are enamored of one or both — so, as it's a free country and you may do whatever you like, bully for you. For my part I will continue to avoid disposable cartridges and maintain that they are like almost everything else that is labeled and sold as 'disposable' (diapers perhaps excepted) - possibly convenient but basically cr*p (guess that includes diapers after all).
Have an unopened carton of 'activated carbon' gathering dust that I can bring to the next meeting - of no use to me and yours for the asking.
Cheers.
Really? And within what post/thread/lifetime exactly did this discourse take place? On second thought, never mind - am quite sure I don't want to know.
Hawkman2000
Members
I still think that people who don't use RO water should use carbon. If I can taste the differance between tap and carbon filtered water, I can't immagine the differance breathing it.
Cycled tank - Benificial bactiria colonize in the substrate. Thats why a cycle can become unbalanced if the substrate is stired up to much.
Cycled tank - Benificial bactiria colonize in the substrate. Thats why a cycle can become unbalanced if the substrate is stired up to much.
Avatar
Plenipotentiary-at-large
Agree some tap water does not taste good at all...
...but that can be caused by any number of things, not all of which would be improved by using carbon, like high levels of dissolved salts (LA desert/aqueduct water subjected to lots of evaporation). Also, for Rift Lake species, generally you want that dissolved salts and extra hardness unlike conditions for most New World species that prefer purer water.
You probably know all this already, but the most concise explanation/rule of thumb I ever heard was to add stuff to the water for African Lake species, remove stuff for Amazon ones. That's if you start with municipal tap water - if you draw from a well or filter surface/groundwater probably good (and interesting) to test it to see where you're starting from and recognize that there may well be seasonal variation in parameters. Probably also true for city water.
Seems all of the really accomplished breeders I've ever spoken with don't worry about much concerning water beyond hardness and pH - temperature and water changes being a given.
...but that can be caused by any number of things, not all of which would be improved by using carbon, like high levels of dissolved salts (LA desert/aqueduct water subjected to lots of evaporation). Also, for Rift Lake species, generally you want that dissolved salts and extra hardness unlike conditions for most New World species that prefer purer water.
You probably know all this already, but the most concise explanation/rule of thumb I ever heard was to add stuff to the water for African Lake species, remove stuff for Amazon ones. That's if you start with municipal tap water - if you draw from a well or filter surface/groundwater probably good (and interesting) to test it to see where you're starting from and recognize that there may well be seasonal variation in parameters. Probably also true for city water.
Seems all of the really accomplished breeders I've ever spoken with don't worry about much concerning water beyond hardness and pH - temperature and water changes being a given.
crazyclowntang
Members
:happy0144:
hollyfish2000
Members
I won't just use the biowheel in this tank even when it's colonized. I double filter all my tanks (the others with fluvals 305s and 405s) for a variety of reasons. I like being able to swap canisters between tanks if I have a problem. I also really like this sponge filter Tony gave me (a recent convert to these) so will keep it in this tank as an extra to the biowheel. In a power outage, my battery-powered air stones could keep that going easily and that's easy to swap between tanks if need-be to help if I lose a biological culture somewhere down the line (does happen to me from time to time).
The biowheel is working just fine for me at this point, although I do agree that it's noisy. I would have stuck with my ACs in any event, but the filter came with the new tank, so there you go . ..
The biowheel is working just fine for me at this point, although I do agree that it's noisy. I would have stuck with my ACs in any event, but the filter came with the new tank, so there you go . ..
I've never had trouble with noise unless the water level wasn't high enough.
hollyfish2000
Members
The tank it's on right now is small and doesn't have a lid so the water drops with some speed and I don't take the trouble to top it off daily. In the tank it's going to reside on, there will be a lid, so presumably less evaporation and less noise.
However, it should be noted that the AC on the same tank is not nearly so noisy even at the reduced water level as compared to the Biowheel. Just my personal observation and experience.
However, it should be noted that the AC on the same tank is not nearly so noisy even at the reduced water level as compared to the Biowheel. Just my personal observation and experience.
Are they the same flow rate? Or is the Penguin stronger?
Tony
Alligator Snapping Turtle/Past Pres
So I must have missed it.
How often would you guys recommend I change out my carbon? I don't want all my fish to die.
How often would you guys recommend I change out my carbon? I don't want all my fish to die.
hollyfish2000
Members
Joel -- do you work for Marineland?? You have a whole lot of interest in my new biowheel and my weenie 10 gallon tank!
Joel -- do you work for Marineland?? You have a whole lot of interest in my new biowheel and my weenie 10 gallon tank!
I really should
But I just like the biowheel type filters. They've never failed me as long as I've done my part as far as maintenance.So I must have missed it.
How often would you guys recommend I change out my carbon? I don't want all my fish to die.
Don't wait too long, buddy! :lol:
dogofwar
CCA Members
I think that there was a fair amount of comparison of who has the biggest "bio-wheel" in this thread.
Just sayin'.
Matt
PS My dirty carbon doesn't stink so I don't have to change it!
Just sayin'.
Matt
PS My dirty carbon doesn't stink so I don't have to change it!
George
CCA Charter Member and person in charge of the we
:lol:Your fish are pretty much all ugly (Rift Lakers all) so if they die - -- - so what?:lol:So I must have missed it.
How often would you guys recommend I change out my carbon? I don't want all my fish to die.
I am about to turn off all my filters because I'm just so confused. George
PS. Alien, like I said buddy.
mchambers
Former CCA member
Noise
My new Penguin 150 is very quiet, as quiet as a comparable Aquaclear. My old Emperor 400 was quite noisy. Let's hope you have lower noise levels on the other tank.
My new Penguin 150 is very quiet, as quiet as a comparable Aquaclear. My old Emperor 400 was quite noisy. Let's hope you have lower noise levels on the other tank.
hollyfish2000
Members
I think I'd say that my biowheel is defimitely bigger than Matt's, but then again, I'm a girl, so maybe I"m only talking about my metaphorical biowheel
dogofwar
CCA Members
mchambers
Former CCA member
Whew!
I really do think the newer Marineland HOB filters are pretty quiet. I was biased against my new Penguin, but so far it seems good (once I find an intake extension tube).
As long as we're only speaking metaphorically, it's fine to question the size of my biomedia.
I really do think the newer Marineland HOB filters are pretty quiet. I was biased against my new Penguin, but so far it seems good (once I find an intake extension tube).