Biowheels a Gimmick, or a Good Gadget?

[sub.42]

Hiya!

Just recently been out and purchased a Hydor Bioflo biowheel. Now, I know that there are several variations on the whole biowheel theme, but I'm now having my eyes opened wide.

It's doing a grand job at the moment, I have never had a cleaner happier tank than now. What enrages me is that with all the filtration that I have, and all the money that I have spent, this sixteen quid marvel blows the last eighty-odd quid spent on filtration away!

I have now begun making a manifold to hold two or three medium bioflo's. I reckon pound for pound, its money better spent than an additional fluval 304. That only stands up if like me you have adequate mechanical and chemical filtration in your existing filtration equipment, but none the less, if its bio-power you want, these guys will give it. I can also transfer one to my hospital/quarantine quickly if i need to, and just leave the pump to run undisturbed. No pipework, cables or hoses to move. Very handy.

Great bit of kit, it's really not just a gimmick.

sub.

 

[vantgE]

Not familiar with your filter but think it's just a gimmick i was under the impresion there were only sold by marineland
tell me about the filter please flowrate and such, the cleaner tank could be the result of carbon if you don't usualy run it and it came with the new filter, the biowheel should not actually affect noticeable cleaniliness because it only adds biological filtration but you have me intrested
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=83508

Edit: I looked it up never seen anything like it before, and not too expensive either but can't see there being that much room between the water and the lid though it works well on your tank it seems the design resembles a glorfiied spongefilter and it would remain limited by it's surface area, only expected to support at some 20 gallons

 

[sub.42]

vantgE,

I think the point I was trying to make was that it cleared all my surface film double quick time, and has definitely been a bonus in terms of biological filtration. It will only ever serve two functions.

One, it will remove surface film, and two, it will increase biological filtration capacity. It simply has to, even if only a little, by virtue of the way it works. The manufacturer states on the packaging that it will remove 2.6 +/- 0.1 mg/hv ammonia.

It will not provide any sort of mechanical filtration past surface film removal. The fact that the sponge rotates, means that it will take surface film, and indeed even large particles of uneaten food from the surface. I guess that it is a little different than the HOB type biowheel filter.

I'm going to give it a little more time, and see how it goes. Yes, I agree, bio filter only. But the surface thingy is a rather good idea, and I don't find myself needing a noisy air pump....don't ya think...?

So then, good for keeping surface of water clear, and adding a little extra bio filtration yes?

sub.

PS, looking at the box it does say it can be easily added to any filter system. So yes it's 100% a secondary filter sytem.

 

[vantgE]

makes sense kindof like a protien skimmer for for freshwatter and it seems a good deal for a secondary filter