Bio Wheel vs Regular HOB trickle down filter

[StanTheBetta]

Right now I have a 10 Gal tank that going into week 5 still isn't cycling at all (still ammonia and still no nitrites). While I'm sure I can't blame this all on the filter I'd like to think it isn't helping. I got the tank from wal mart and it came with all the stuff (heater, hood, filter) and just at first glance it looked pretty primitive. Theres a gap between the filter media and where the water comes in from the motor thingy where I'm sure the water can pass without going through the filter media (path of least resistance). So I was wondering if it would be worth the money to invest in a Penguin Bio Wheel filter? I read the MarineLand page on it and what it says makes sense but is it that dramatically different?

 

[scott1000]

Are you doing a fishless cycle? If so are you adding amonia to the water?

 

[thecichlidaddict]

It shouldn't be the filter. Even the worst filters on the market are enough to cycle your tank.
It would be best to run through your cycling procedure before spending money on a filter that you may not need. Even without a filter at all the cycle should still start, all surfaces act as a bio-filter, not just the fiter

 

[blakwidoe]

get the bio wheel you wont be sorry but cycle with some fish <not alot tho> add 1 or 2 then a week or so later another one or 2 all the while checking your tank

 

[rollntider]

if you must do a fish cycle just do one, that would be plenty any more may be adding an unessacery load. if you have a friend have him give you some filter media or scrape some gunk of his/her filter pad. That will definately seed your tank plus adding extra fish is probably giving them a death sentance. I wouldnt add another fish until after you read 0 ammonia for a few weeks. then think about adding one a week.
Bio wheel is a must , but invest in it later. if you have the wal mart aqua tech filter , just buy the bio wheel, bearings and holder and put it on the aqua tech, marineland makes aqua tech and slaps that brand on the merchadise for wally world.

 

[StanTheBetta]

Problem is I didn't and still don't know anyone that currently has a cycled tank I could get something to seed mine with. Also if MarineLand makes aquatech maybe thats not what I'm looking for =\ I'd like something with more options like being able to replace the carbon without replacing the filter pad and maybe room for another optional filter media.

 

[thecichlidaddict]

Aquaclear is the most versatile of the HOB filters, and it holds a nice amount of media too. Despite lacking a bio-wheel it filters just as well as any other filter - adding the bio-wheel is kind of like fixing something that isn't broken. Nothing wrong with bio-wheels, they work well, but I don't see the need - aquaclears are cheap, simple, and effective.

Your fish store should have plenty of media to jumpstart the cycle of your tank