Can I use an old Bio-wheel from a salt water tank on my fresh water tank?

Question

I bought a used tank that was salt water for seven years. I want to make it a freshwater tank. I know I can use the filter with new filter cartridges, but i want to know if i can use the old bio-wheels or should I replace them and start new?

Answer 1

As long as you rinse it well, so you remove any salt or chemicals from the old tank, there shouldn't be a problem. I've got an Eclipse which has a biowheel, and I use it for quarantining both freshwater and saltwater fish, and twice to acclimate freshwater fish (mollies and guppies) to full saltwater. I've never had any problems with the fish in doing so.

The only time I'd say not to use it was if your last fish has some type of bacterial disease. Bacteria are able to form a cyst around themselves so they aren't affected by pH, drying, or moderate temperature changes. Even then, you could soak the wheel in hydrogen peroxide or a dilute bleach solution (1 part bleach to 19 of water) for 15 minutes. I don't know what the fiber portion of the wheel is made from, so I don't know if the bleach would deteriorate it in any way (I've never had a disease problem with the fish I used it with, so I've never had to do this), but this would be the sure way to sterilize the wheel. You might want to try that before purchasing a new one, it could save you some money, but be sure to rinse it very well before using it again.

Answer 2

Sure you can, I've done it a lot. Make sure to clean the filter well and yes you can use bleach to be sure it is clean. Soak it with dechlor water and rinse well when you are done. Bacteria from salt water won't survive outside the salt environment once it is dried so don't worry about bacteria jumping from one tank to another.

Personally, I don't like the biowheels since they tend to malfunction more than most filters.

Answer 3

Replace the bio-wheel and scrub every part of the filter to prevent any salt from getting into the aquarium.

~ZTM

Answer 4

Sure a little salt won't hurt a freshwater tank.

Answer 5

no, it will contaminate the tank. You should not use anything from a salt water tank.