Emperor 400

[Fozzy225]

I'm about 4 months old with my reef tank.first time ever doing saltwater.things seem to be going well.my question is what is the purpose of the bio wheels and do I need them?And how often should I change cartridge in the filter?

45gallon tank
45pounds of rock
40 pounds of sand crushed coral mixed equal parts
And I have a prizm skimmer.

 

[melosu58]

Moved to General Hardware and equipment discussion.

 

[Aintnopuffer]

I'm about 4 months old with my reef tank.first time ever doing saltwater.things seem to be going well.my question is what is the purpose of the bio wheels and do I need them?And how often should I change cartridge in the filter?

45gallon tank
45pounds of rock
40 pounds of sand crushed coral mixed equal parts
And I have a prizm skimmer.

What's a prizm skimmer? I'm jus learning lol

 

[ReefPhan_Harpua]

I have a similar setup and I took my biowheels off when I put fish in the tank. I was using it to polish the water and help with the sediment from my sand. IMO, with the 45 lbs of lr and a decent skimmer you are good taking the hob filtration off since you have the lr to act as a biological filter. I know there are some ppl here with differing views, but the biowheels are going to turn into a nitrate factory for your reef and I would just take it off.

 

[slitherbomb]

I have the same filter and I think that unless you have a GREAt CUC, you need some sort of mechanical filter. The point of the bio wheels are to host bacteria to convert ammonia to nitrite and nitrite to nitrates. I don't think it can because a nitrate factory because no food should get on them or any other particles.