Um, imma thinkin' this is stupid to ask but have to anyway

Discussion in 'Freshwater Fish Tanks' started by Lady J, Aug 19, 2012.

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  1. Lady J

    Lady J Peppermint Shrimp

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    This is such a great response, TYVM :)

    I think I wasn't too clear somehow so sorry for the mix ups. This biowheel thing is for my freshwater planted tank. I ran a reef for years but just started my freshwater tank a few months ago (maybe not even a few months, can't remember exactly now). I'm still learning about how to run a healthy freshwater planted system. It's not as simple as I thought it would be but it's been fun and interesting learning. :) And oh lordy, it would be absolutely crazy to use something like this on a saltwater system although I suppose it could help, IDK.

    I guess I just hadn't thought about cleaning the box itself even though I'm rinsing the filter pad in old tankwater when doing a wc.
     
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  3. tara

    tara Astrea Snail

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    I have the same biowheel. Im a newbie just learning too, I just recently learned when you do a wc, take the bio wheel out and throw it in your tank so it doesnt dry up. I dont know about cleaning the box, but I do clean mine every wc, wich I think I was doing too often... Dont get goldfish! What im confused about is the skimmer.... Is that buit into my biowheel???
     
  4. diverdan

    diverdan Bangghai Cardinal

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    No, a skimmer is a completely different piece of equipment. A skimmer filters out the unwanted nutrients. Google "protein skimmer" and it will show you. There are plenty different brands out the and many models to chose from that will work with your current set up. For example, hob skimmers (hang on back) for those without a sump or in sump style skimmers.

    As far as cleaning out the box itself, I had 2 emperor 400s on my 80g reef and I cleaned the boxes monthly. I don't know about the freshwater side but I'd assume they would collect junk as well.
    I replaced the filters every 2-3 weeks as they had activated carbon in them and needed to be changed out.
     
  5. DevinH

    DevinH Montipora Capricornis

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    You can't clean it too often. You don't have a skimmer, that's for saltwater only.
     
  6. tara

    tara Astrea Snail

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    Skimmer for sw only? Oh thank you! I didnt remember seeing anything about it when I started last year, and now I keep seeing skimmer this n skimmer that. I found a quite detailed link for it, but it left out the most important detail I was looking for... Why when or if its needed! So I need not be concerned with that, thank you, thank you! so the sump is for sw too?
     
  7. diverdan

    diverdan Bangghai Cardinal

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    Sorry missed that you were fw too.

    Sumps can be set up for fw too, it's just a place to have additional water volume and a place for equipment and so on. I have heard of fw set ups with sumps. But it is not necessary and not required.
     
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  9. tara

    tara Astrea Snail

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    Awsome ;) im new, so id like to be as uncomplicated as possible. ;) the less equipment the better! Thank you! ;)