Marineland bio-wheel filter systems?

Marineland's bio-wheel was developed when wet-dry filter systems proved to be successful in salt water aquariums. The application of wet-dry technology to fresh water filter systems is still not understood by many pet store workers but I'm glad you brought up the subject in this ask and answer forum. Maybe a few more people will see this posting and give it the thought it deserves.

Bio-wheels work so well because they make nitrifying bacteria work overtime. They provide an environment that keeps the bacteria active and brings oxygen, water, ammonia and nitrites constantly to the most active bacteria in the tank. It proves that the bacteria don't need a lot of room to keep a tank full of fish happy. It also proves that the bacteria are fairly hardy. They can dry up and still work when wet again. When bio-wheels stop turning they don't stop working. Slow or sporadic turning is just as affective as a fast moving wheel. When I was working in a fish store, it took a lot of convincing to teach customers that dirty or slow turning wheels did not need to be replaced because everyone else was telling them otherwise. I have wheels that are 10 years old but I still use them and they work fine.

There are many people who spend tons of money on fancy canister filters but I have always found bio-wheels and sponge filters to be worth their weight in gold. I also love power heads all by themselves or in combination with good undergravel filters. By good I mean the ones that keep the gravel from getting under the filter plate. The cheap, square, common undergravel filters are worthless to me. Perfecto made a great one but they are out of business now. Marineland made some goods ones too but I haven't seen any lately in the stores.

They are good because of the quick bacteria generation, but otherwise are about the same as any other filter and it's not like they hold more bacteria in an already cycled tank. I've sworn off hanging filters entirely though, I can't stand the way they pour water back into the tank in an unnatural flow, and find canisters much, more versatile, efficient, quiet, and reliable, and sponge filters more effective for smaller fish, and HOB's also tend to be the least reliable,

They're so much better because of the amount of oxygen supplied to the beneficial bacteria colonies that are cultivated on the wheel. They're kept moist with a constant supply of 02 because of the spinning wheel.

I don't like them only because I work in a pet store and I can not tell you how many complaints I get about the wheel's that stop turning after a year or so of use. And the parts aren't simple to get your hands on, though no filters parts are easy to get unless you do it through the main company. But this is one I get alot of people complaining about, searching for new parts to try and get the wheels to spin again.

I use AquaClear filters, because of the interchangeable media. I like being able to switch up what I use as well as changing things at alternating times so as not to shock the system.

Best of Luck!