[Lowej82]

I was woundering if bio balls are bad because there not fully submerged, how about bio wheels?

[Fishhead Junkie]

you know..everyone has a different opinion on bio-balls. i have the 29 gallon bio-cube with the bio-balls and i was thinking about swapping them out for live rock rubble but i think i will just leave it alone. my local fish stores have been using bio-balls for 9 years and havent had any problems. i guess its all up to you.

steve

[glampka]

The problem with both bio-balls & bio-wheels comes from when they become dirty & are not cleaned on a VERY REGULAR basis. Detritus & other junk gets caught up in them & then they become nitrate generators.

[elkman97462]

I remember reading on this site not too long ago, that we need to keep in mind that the lfs has a quick turnover, maybe before a problem can be detected, but the folks on this site are in it for the long haul. For me, I will trust the advise given here over the lfs everytime. IMO

[SweeTang22]

good move lol!

[Lowej82]

yes most definallty here over the lfs, here ppl help because they want to, not because they want to make a $$profit$$ off of you.....

which brings me to wounder, my lfs said to leave my bio wheels alone, should I clean them off? replace them at all? Are they also potential for bad stuff?


John

[reefdaddy725]

I would most definatly clean them. Once a tank is up and running for a period of time the use of bio balls and or wheels isn't really needed. There is enough bio in your tank alone to maintain a ballance. I don't use them myself but if you want to then I would do a monthly cleaning of them. If you clean them they won't become the dreaded nitrate factories that everyone claims they are.

[Lowej82]

should i mix a bucket of fresh water and just swoosh them around in it or spray them "bio-wheels" off with the sink sprayer wand?

[carmanimports]

i am just going to have to agree with glampka he is right

[Taras1]

Agree w/glampka -- I got rid of my biowheel and filled the area with LR rubble and porous ceramic.