Bio wheel holding nitrates?

Discussion in 'Filters, Pumps, etc..' started by Scubagator87, Apr 4, 2008.

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  1. Tangster

    Tangster 3reef Sponsor

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    Honestly I can't see how the wheel could add to them . Only connection I could see would be that the Bacteria is a very aerobic strain and they do better and are more efficient with more oxygen. Hence the wheels exposure to air and thats what they are designed to do. And the bottom lie is by removing the wheel you lowered the Oxygen content of the water and then the lower of nitrates .. But again nitrates are only present when they have Nitrites to consume..and then to have nitrites there has to be an ammonia source. I'd just have a spar set and keep one set bleached and rinsed and dry to change out. But again they are the last on the chain and their has to be a food source for them..and all they convert are nitrites.

    That was my hole knock on the last re invention of the DSB they where to control NO3's and they did this by lowering the oxygen of the water and lowering the tanks capacity to carry more bio load .. But then it did not work as advertised they NO3 came just like with Bio balls .. Then they went to Adding Vodka and sugar carbons to spike the bacterias to lower the NO3's
    I just have always ran a coil and I have never had any NO3 and a run a huge bio load and feel little.. I'd rather have some NO3 and more oxygen then dal with the NO3 in another way ..
     
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  3. Scubagator87

    Scubagator87 Skunk Shrimp

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    my nitrates are close to zero, zero nirtrites, and less than 0.25 ammonia. So no, I don't think I have a problem or anything, although I still have to run water tests today. And no, i'm not polluting my tank with food (removing all uneaten food). I was asking more as a preventative thing I guess. As in, should I be worried about the wheel being on there (which confuses me because up until a few days ago had heard nothing but good things about the wheel). My tank is also due for a water change.
     
  4. Tangster

    Tangster 3reef Sponsor

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    No I did not mean you where doing anything wrong. I was just saying with all NO3 issues the cause is usually the keeper.. After a certain level.. If it where me and its not I would leave the wheels and keep doing what you are for the cleaning and care of the tank . If you do ever notice an increase of NO3 then look for the cause.

    NO3 are a food source for many corals and up to 10 ppm its a good thing if you keep a mixed soft and LPS corals and clams its all food to them..
     
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  5. aquaboy

    aquaboy Panda Puffer

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    Tangster, maybe the bio whell is converting ammonias and nitrites to nitrate faster and more efficently. perhaps, it is converting them before microalgaes, cyano bacteria, and corals can feed upon them from the water column? because i noticed once i removed my bio wheel for a week, my ammonia and nitrite staerted crreping up and cyano developed. Replaceing it caused everything to hit 0 again.........
     
  6. Scubagator87

    Scubagator87 Skunk Shrimp

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    "No I did not mean you where doing anything wrong.", its all good, I just wanted to clear up the purpose of my question. Which I guess I still don't have a clear answer to. In any case I guess I don't have to worry about it unless my nitrates won't go down (and are very high) or something. If that happens i'll examine ALL possibilities as to ascertain the source of the problem.
     
  7. Scubagator87

    Scubagator87 Skunk Shrimp

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    and tangster basically already said what i said in my post, lol