Biowheels. Good idea or bad.
- Thread starter WGC-Katana
- Start date
I like the sound of my Bio-Wheel too! 'Cept it sounds more like a stream.. It's kinda soothing. 
And if you're planning on planting this tank I don't think a Bio-Wheel should be your first option because it does create more surface agitation than most HOB's. But then if you're not planting, I'm all for the Bio-Wheel.
And if you're planning on planting this tank I don't think a Bio-Wheel should be your first option because it does create more surface agitation than most HOB's. But then if you're not planting, I'm all for the Bio-Wheel.
After having both, the ac's can go longer between cleanings. The biowheel filters get clogged up and HAVE to be cleaned at least once a week. Other than that the difference is minimal, but remember, the novelty of a tank will wear off and maintence will become something you don't want to do any more than you have to (except the weekly 10% water change). It's a lot easier to just change the water than it is to change the water AND completely break down the filter every week. Hth,
JC
JC
Bio-Wheel
I have an Eclipse System, so the bio-wheel was built into it. Of course, I've never had any experience with anything else, but it works great for me. If the water level is high enough, the wheel makes virtually no noise. And no, it hardly ever needs cleaning. In fact, you're not supposed to touch it unless it get completely jammed, which has never happened to me.
The wheel works great for me, and has so far been zero maintenance. But of course, I've never known anything else. But when it comes time to get a bigger tank, I will definitely be including another one.
I have an Eclipse System, so the bio-wheel was built into it. Of course, I've never had any experience with anything else, but it works great for me. If the water level is high enough, the wheel makes virtually no noise. And no, it hardly ever needs cleaning. In fact, you're not supposed to touch it unless it get completely jammed, which has never happened to me.
The wheel works great for me, and has so far been zero maintenance. But of course, I've never known anything else. But when it comes time to get a bigger tank, I will definitely be including another one.
bio wheels are nice. i have 2 penguin 330's on my 55. i hate the sound too (tank in bedroom), but if you keep the tank full to the brim, it doesnt make noise. i do water changes once a week, so by day 7 is when enough has evaporated for it to make noice. but all in all they are a great filter. all you ahve to do is rince the pads and bio wheels in the tank water once a month or so. very nice filter and pretty affordable.
chris
chris
There is a big difference between the penguin and emperor. the bio-wheel on the penguin is driven by the outflow from the filter. The bio-wheel on the Emperor is driven by a spray of pre-filtered water from a spray tube. The Emperors need to be cleaned to keep the bio-wheels spinning. However, every few weeks is usually sufficient for me and cleaning is just a matter of running a brush (included with filter) through the spray tube(s). The lfs people in my area seem to prefer the bio-wheels.