Wht are the purposes of a bio wheel in aquariums filter?

Question

also can i just put a regular bio-wheel in front of the filter where the water comes out?

Answer 1

It's a surface area to grow useful bacteria that turn nitrites into nitrates and it turns to maximise the used surface area.

Yes you can put a bio wheel in front of the output, that would enhance the filters performance, but reduce current.

Answer 2

Biowheels have beneficial bacteria on them, as water flows, it turns the wheel(s), and exposes the bacteria to air, which it needs to filter the water. The wheel is just enhanced bio-filtration, I love the wheel because when you replace other filter media the wheel can just stay there or float in the tank and never has to be replaced(unless it is damaged) so you get to retain the bacteria!

I don't really know the mechanics involved in attacking a wheel to a non-compatible filter, so good-luck!

Answer 3

It provides a place for good bacteria to colonize in the tank. It is a very good thing to have, a bio wheel.

Answer 4

the only way a wheel would benefit your tank is if it is actively turning.  if you can create some kind of a holder that allows it to turn in your filter's output, your tank would benefit.  In order for the bacteria to survive they must receive water and air.

Answer 5

Biowheels provide large amounts of surface area for nitrifying bacteria to colonize and more effectively oxidize ammonia to nitrite and then nitrate.  You can't just attatch a biowheel to any filter-- it has to be a biowheel specific filter that already has a compartment and attatchments for it.  In a non-biowheel friendly filter, try ceramic rings-- they serve the same purpose.

Answer 6

It inflitrates beneficial bacteria into the tank along with the oxygen which comes from the carbon filter. Don't wash it too much because it helps regulate certain chemical levels in the tank and upsetting those levels could be harmful to the fish.