Bio wheels? Are they any good at all?

Hi all, im a little confused by these, are they actually of any real benefit
at all?

Ive seen some on ebay and they claim to remove nitrites and ammonia and can
help with oxygenation etc?

So, are they any good and does anyone know of any in the uk as all the ebay
ones seem to be US ones pretty much.
--
Donegal Paul - On the mend
Lambretta Li186 - crashed and bashed
Vespa T5 Millenium - intact
www.thepilgrimssc.co.uk
www.a4c.co.uk - What are YOU doing?

"Donegal Paul" wrote in
message ...
| Hi all, im a little confused by these, are they actually of any
real benefit
| at all?
|

They don't REMOVE ammonia and nitrites persay.
What they do is provide an excellent environment for the
bacterium that process the waste in your tank. The alternating
immersion\emmersion seems to be superior to media that is always
underwater.

"Billy" wrote in message
...

"Donegal Paul" wrote in
message ...
| Hi all, im a little confused by these, are they actually of any
real benefit
| at all?
|

They don't REMOVE ammonia and nitrites persay.
What they do is provide an excellent environment for the
bacterium that process the waste in your tank. The alternating
immersion\emmersion seems to be superior to media that is always
underwater.


They are pretty good when they work. You may have problems with thw wheel
getting stuck, or not turning if water flow decreases. I tried a few, one
worked well, 2 kept getting stuck.

Limnophile

"Limnophile" wrote in message
...
| They don't REMOVE ammonia and nitrites persay.
| What they do is provide an excellent environment for the
| bacterium that process the waste in your tank. The alternating
| immersion\emmersion seems to be superior to media that is always
| underwater.
|
|
| They are pretty good when they work. You may have problems with thw
wheel
| getting stuck, or not turning if water flow decreases. I tried a
few, one
| worked well, 2 kept getting stuck.
|

Correct. It is important to keep the axles and axle-ways clean and
free of debris. It is normal for an established bio-wheel to 'hitch'
or stop on occasion, but if it stops long enough for the pleated
fabric to start drying, you have a problem. I prefer the filters with
a spray bar that is directed at the wheel to keep it rolling. Even
with the wheel loaded up with 2 years worth of gorp and slime, as
long as I keep the axles clear, it never stops.

On Sat, 20 Nov 2004 09:28:05 -0800, "Billy"
wrote:



"Limnophile" wrote in message
...
| They don't REMOVE ammonia and nitrites persay.
| What they do is provide an excellent environment for the
| bacterium that process the waste in your tank. The alternating
| immersion\emmersion seems to be superior to media that is always
| underwater.
|
|
| They are pretty good when they work. You may have problems with thw
wheel
| getting stuck, or not turning if water flow decreases. I tried a
few, one
| worked well, 2 kept getting stuck.
|

Correct. It is important to keep the axles and axle-ways clean and
free of debris. It is normal for an established bio-wheel to 'hitch'
or stop on occasion, but if it stops long enough for the pleated
fabric to start drying, you have a problem. I prefer the filters with
a spray bar that is directed at the wheel to keep it rolling. Even
with the wheel loaded up with 2 years worth of gorp and slime, as
long as I keep the axles clear, it never stops.


What is the brand? How big are they. I foolishly positioned my 75
gallon tank too close to the wall and have a tight fit with the
Penguin 330s. I think it is about 4 inches of room to the wall.

dick

"Dick" said to "Billy"

Correct. It is important to keep the axles and axle-ways clean and
free of debris. It is normal for an established bio-wheel to 'hitch'
or stop on occasion, but if it stops long enough for the pleated
fabric to start drying, you have a problem. I prefer the filters with
a spray bar that is directed at the wheel to keep it rolling. Even
with the wheel loaded up with 2 years worth of gorp and slime, as
long as I keep the axles clear, it never stops.


What is the brand? How big are they. I foolishly positioned my 75
gallon tank too close to the wall and have a tight fit with the
Penguin 330s. I think it is about 4 inches of room to the wall.

The ones ive seen are made by a firm called hydor
--
Donegal Paul - On the mend
Lambretta Li186 - crashed and bashed
Vespa T5 Millenium - intact
www.thepilgrimssc.co.uk
www.a4c.co.uk - What are YOU doing?

["Followup-To:" header set to rec.aquaria.freshwater.misc.]
On 2004-11-21, Dick wrote:
fabric to start drying, you have a problem. I prefer the filters with
a spray bar that is directed at the wheel to keep it rolling. Even
with the wheel loaded up with 2 years worth of gorp and slime, as
long as I keep the axles clear, it never stops.


What is the brand? How big are they. I foolishly positioned my 75
gallon tank too close to the wall and have a tight fit with the
Penguin 330s. I think it is about 4 inches of room to the wall.

The Emperor filter works on the spray bar principle. I have one on a 29
gallon tank at my parents house. It's a nice filter, but it definitely
won't fit behind your tank. I did the same thing with my 40 gallon and
now I'm pretty much stuck with the penguin as well. ::-(


--
Ross Vandegrift


"The good Christian should beware of mathematicians, and all those who
make empty prophecies. The danger already exists that the mathematicians
have made a covenant with the devil to darken the spirit and to confine
man in the bonds of Hell."
--St. Augustine, De Genesi ad Litteram, Book II, xviii, 37

On Sat, 20 Nov 2004 11:11:44 -0600, "Limnophile"
wrote:


"Billy" wrote in message
...

"Donegal Paul" wrote in
message ...
| Hi all, im a little confused by these, are they actually of any
real benefit
| at all?
|

They don't REMOVE ammonia and nitrites persay.
What they do is provide an excellent environment for the
bacterium that process the waste in your tank. The alternating
immersion\emmersion seems to be superior to media that is always
underwater.


They are pretty good when they work. You may have problems with thw wheel
getting stuck, or not turning if water flow decreases. I tried a few, one
worked well, 2 kept getting stuck.

Limnophile



I have two Penguins with a total of 4 wheels. I agree with
Limnophile, the sticking is frustrating. I can generally get the
wheel turning by wiping a finger along the bottom of the spillway and
the wheel. I suspect something hangs up on the wheel cartridge making
that side heavier.

dick

On Sat, 20 Nov 2004 07:31:32 -0800, "Billy"
wrote:


"Donegal Paul" wrote in
message ...
| Hi all, im a little confused by these, are they actually of any
real benefit
| at all?
|

They don't REMOVE ammonia and nitrites persay.
What they do is provide an excellent environment for the
bacterium that process the waste in your tank. The alternating
immersion\emmersion seems to be superior to media that is always
underwater.


I will say a good word for underwater bios. I have a 29 gallon JEBO
glass tank with a built in filtration system. It has small ceramic
donuts as part of the filtration. This tank is consistently clear and
clean.

dick

"Dick" wrote in message
...
|
| I will say a good word for underwater bios. I have a 29 gallon
JEBO
| glass tank with a built in filtration system. It has small ceramic
| donuts as part of the filtration. This tank is consistently clear
and
| clean.
|

As an aside, clarity of water has little or nothing to do with the
health of the tank, or the suitability of the water to support fish.