Bought a biowheel filter

[flyhockey1037]

i did it. finally. my water better be super sparkley by this time next week or its off with your online virtual cyber space heads! i got the penguin 125 and i have a 20 gal tank. hope it works out good.

 

[smb]

Uh oh. I think I might be the first you target then since that's all I ever talk about is BIO-Wheels.

What filter did you have before?

 

[flyhockey1037]

i had a whisper filter jobby.

 

[smb]

Your water will look cleaner and actually be cleaner in my unbiased opinion. Especially if you scrap the carbon and use filter floss.

 

[flyhockey1037]

i was looking for filter floss but i couldnt find any at the local petco. and i inspected the filter and how would i put the floss into the filter in the first place? im sure u are aware of the insides of the bio wheels since u ara biowheel faaareak so i dont have to explain it to ya. so for now i am sticking with the stock filters that come along iwth carbon in them. do i just leave one of those in and then out the floss behind that or what?? do i ever have to change the floss? or just the water?

 

[smb]

You can wrap the filter floss around it and use a couple rubberbands to hold it on. I know it sounds "rigged" but it works very well. I've never done it that way but others get credit for coming up with that as I've read about them doing it.

do i ever have to change the floss?

Yea you could probably change it once or twice a year. You should rinse it off in water from the tank every time you clean it tho. A small bag that costs about $1.25 or so should last you 2-3 years at the least.

 

[flyhockey1037]

does it have to be "filter floss" or can i jsut use the poofy plastic cotton look alike used for spiderwebs on halloween type stuff? should i take the carbon out of my filter? if so how do i do that?

 

[smb]

I would only recommend something for aquarium use. You don't want anything leeching into your aquarium and killing your fish.

should i take the carbon out of my filter? if so how do i do that?

IMO, I say go without carbon. Others like carbon so it's more of a personal preference.

I've never used the Penguin 125 before. What does the filter package look like that holds the media?

 

[wuvmybetta]

a mod on here once recommended the poly-fil that you can buy at wal-mart in the craft dept.
I've used it for months now with no problems, make sure it's 100% polyester if you decide to try it

 

[Lithril]

Ok just a tiny question...what the hell is a bio filter wheel?? Got a small internal filter in my corner tank and when we used to have the 6' tank we used to have an eheim biological filter, never heard of a filter wheel. Rightie I'm going back dream of that 6' tank that we sold a few years back.... and probably kick myself several times while I'm there!!!

 

[flyhockey1037]

the filter package has a blue pad on one side and it is black slotted plastic on the other and i guess the carbon is in between them. i bought it with the carbon already in it i dont know if u can even refill them or take the carbon out. i could read the directions but that is just too damn hard...

 

[devinf]

A biowheel is a cylinder shaped object that you can put into the power filters (HOB variety) that supposedly create an environment that is friendly to good bacteria and therefore the tank.

Personaly opinions vary on their use. I have used them in the past, but do not any longer. Most on these boards seem to support their use.

Devin

 

[Lithril]

So they're only a standalone unit and you'll still need another filter to remove the debris??

Filter floss, what is it? Is it any good and can you put it in any type of filter?

hmmmm, wondering how long it takes before ppl start getting pi$$ed off with whats probably really basic problems... could probably find out everything from searching web, but its so much more fun asking everyone else...and quicker

 

[devinf]

They're not standalone, more of a supplement or addition to your existing power filter.

Devin

 

[smb]

They're not standalone, more of a supplement or addition to your existing power filter.

Devin

What do you mean? A BIO-wheel is a stand alone. What about it isn't a standalone?

I think it's better than canisters, but that's arguable and if others have a differing opnion on that, then I can understand. But as far as HOB's go, a BIO-wheel is the best there is.