is sand hurting the filter?

[Dr Joe]

Just common sense here, if the sand is in suspension it could wear the impeller and bearing surface. If you've cleaned the sand well, and/or use a more course sand, a pair of convicts should not kick up the sand. (course sand will settle almost immediately)

Use mjryan & MP's good advice.

How about a pic?...

Dr Joe

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[snjets]

im going to try it but i just set it up so im goin to let it settle a day or two before i start the filter is this a good idea
is a bio--wheel filter better than the whisper2

ill get a pic a lil later

thanks
sal

 

[MilitantPotato]

im going to try it but i just set it up so im goin to let it settle a day or two before i start the filter is this a good idea
is a bio--wheel filter better than the whisper2

ill get a pic a lil later

thanks
sal

5-10 mins should be long enough, just use your eyes, once the sand hits the bottom you can turn the filters back on.

As for the emp (biowheel) filter, yes, its 1000x better, infact, almost any filter is better than the whisper filters.

Buy the emp 280, don't get the penguin line, make sure its the black emperor 280.
Aquaclear is also a great filter, but if ya add biowheels it becomes an awsome filter.

You can still use the whisper for water movement, but it should never be used as the only filter. Even if you use two, they won't cut it for biological filtration.

 

[snjets]

how often would i have to change the wheel or does it just get washed out

thanks
sal

5-10 mins should be long enough, just use your eyes, once the sand hits the bottom you can turn the filters back on.

As for the emp (biowheel) filter, yes, its 1000x better, infact, almost any filter is better than the whisper filters.

Buy the emp 280, don't get the penguin line, make sure its the black emperor 280.
Aquaclear is also a great filter, but if ya add biowheels it becomes an awsome filter.

You can still use the whisper for water movement, but it should never be used as the only filter. Even if you use two, they won't cut it for biological filtration.

 

[lovespunaround]

You don't clean a biowheel and you only change it if it breaks.

 

[Bderick67]

You'd stab a hole 3/4ths through it (length wise) with a blade of some scissors and insert the filter intake tube into the sponge.

......| |
......| | <--filter intake tube
......| |
___| |___ <--hole stabbed through sponge
|....| |....|
|....| |....|
|....| |....| <--Sponge
|....| |....| <--hole stops here
|_______|

It doesn't go in the filter, but the on the tube that sucks water from the tank.
Should cut back on media replacement costs too, just rinse it weekly.

this is a great bit of illustation, this will also be benificial once the fry arrive, will help keep the fry from being sucked into the filter.

 

[RadleyMiller]

this is a great bit of illustation, this will also be benificial once the fry arrive, will help keep the fry from being sucked into the filter.

yea, the fry are gonna love to pick food off of the sponge filter. Never change the wheel, thats where all of the good bacteria is. Just change the cartraige.

 

[Dr Joe]

im going to try it but i just set it up so im goin to let it settle a day or two before i start the filter is this a good idea
is a bio--wheel filter better than the whisper2

ill get a pic a lil later

thanks
sal

If there are no fish in the tank, start it up when you feel comfortable that there is little floating sand. (you never said what kind of sand and/or if you washed it well)

If you already have the whisper2 filter then your committed to making it work. If you keep the bio-load down to what you said (1 pair of breeding convicts) you will be ok. Mount it on the center rear of the tank for best circulation. You can experiment with filter media (taking out the carbon and adding more floss etc.) You will have to keep up with W/C's & cleaning) except during breeding (then start the breeding cycle).

Any bio-filtration you can add will be of help. Bio-wheels only get cleaned when they get gunked up (technical term (no translation)) and you will be able to tell that . Then they are just swished around in used tank water with possibly a little light scrubbing.

Addition of a sponge filter in the tank will give you cheap extra bio-filtration & circulation, just need an air pump to drive it.

If at some point you can afford another filter just add it to the back with each one about 4-5in. from each end (side).

Dr Joe

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[RadleyMiller]

Like DrJoe said, you really should get a sponge filter. It will help you with the biofilter and when you need to get another tank started, you will have a filter for it. Also, the convict fry are gonna eat off of it and grow big!