Bio-wheel and Saltwater Aquarium

Hello. I have a few questions about saltwater filtration.

I've had my 29 gal tank going now for about 6 months. In it I have 2 clown fish, 2 anemones, a fire shrimp, a convict gobbie, a Devils Hand Frag, zoas, and mushrooms. I just purchased Penguin 150 filter and love the results. I have been battling an algae issue so I just purchased a Phosban Reactor 150 to run some GFO in. I was just told that the bio-wheel is not needed and that it adds nitrates to my tank. I tested my water and found that I have no nitrates which is the best its been. My next purchase is a Protein Skimmer.

My question is:

1. Is the filter bad for my tank and can I do without it.

2. With no nitrate issues, should I just keep the filter going.

3. Bio-wheel filter,Protein skimmer, and phosban reactor; is this a good setup.

I would love to do a refugium but don't have room for it at this time.

I look forward to help and would be much appreciative.

Thanks,

Lito Wilkins

 

You can do without it as you have much more biological filtration with your live rock. The bio-wheels have very little bio-filtration ability surprisingly. It will help a little with aeration. The filter can still be used as a refuge or chemical filtration source.

 

+1

In due time, it will become the legendary "nitrate factory" if not properly maintained, which will involve frequent cleaning of the filter pads and bio-wheels as trapped detritus will still break down into DOCs. If you're willing to put forth the effort, however, it will certainly do it's job quite well.

 

I am sporting one (along with powerheads) in one of my tanks. Right now I am playing with Bio pellets in it. I like the way it aerates water and have found it to grow a lot of pods. I do recommend cleaning it out as it (like any spongy device) will trap a crazy amount of nitrate producing gunk

 

all sponges are the devil.

 

the worst is cleaning them out and seeing all these pods go down the drain. I hate that!