After cleaning my tank last week, my filter broke. I bought a new one (same brand & size), but the old biowheel is too small. (I've tried a lot of things to make it work, but no such luck.)
Now I have to replace it. The tank is three years old. For now I've just let the old biowheel float in the tank.
What should I do?
2007-06-29 09:53:42 · 5 answers · asked by messagemistress 1 in Pets ➔ Fish
Thanks for the advice! Yes, the new filter has a biowheel, but putting it in is like starting over. Since the tank is established, I wanted to make sure the tank remains healthy with the old wheel.
2007-06-29 10:06:08 · update #1
Thanks everyone! I think I've found a solution. I rubbed the wheels together as many of you suggested. After cleaning the tank again yesterday, I took apart the old biowheel. I installed the new one and put the "leftover" paper from the old biowheel in the filter. I'll leave it in for about a month.
2007-07-01 06:28:15 · update #2
This new filter you bought didn't come with it's own bio wheel? This seems odd they'd sell you a new filter that didn't have the parts you'd need. Bring back the one you just bought? I dunno. I think you're doing the right thing keeping the old wheel to allow the culture to seed the new wheel. Bring this one back, it should have had a wheel with it. Or if it does, you have to install the new wheel, keep the old wheel in the water like you are doing, and the bacteria will grow on the new wheel much faster.
JV
2007-06-29 10:00:24 · answer #1 · answered by I am Legend 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Floating the old wheel is a good idea, G. didn't read the material that came with his bio-wheel. Give the new wheel several weeks to become colonized and you could even use the old wheel to "seed" another tank.
2007-06-29 18:03:03 · answer #2 · answered by PeeTee 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I would keep doing what you are doing, and perhaps even scrape some of the "gunk" off the old biowheel and dump it into the new filter to help seed the new biowheel.
2007-06-29 21:17:00 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would just rub the two wheels together gently to get some of the slime stuff on the new ones. I have a bio wheel but mine hasnt broke yet.
2007-06-29 16:59:47 · answer #4 · answered by Amanda 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
floating the old one won't really do it. it requires the wet dry spin action to keep the bacteria healthy. you should have enough bacteria in your gravel that you don't have to worry too much.
2007-06-29 17:40:13 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋