Question about bio-wheel

I am setting up another 30 gallon tank with 2 bio-wheel filters. A friend is keeping some fish he caught for me and I want to cycle this new tank asap. I am going to use substrate from a creek near my house. I think this should aid in the process. Should I add some water from a tank I already have set up?


The biowheels were kept after they were used and have been dry for some time now. Unfortunately the filter media is a different size and won't fit the filters for the new tank.

Can I reuse the old bio wheels or should I wait to get new ones?

Any other suggestions to help the process?

Thanks,

bART

I am setting up another 30 gallon tank with 2 bio-wheel filters. A friend is keeping some fish he caught for me and I want to cycle this new tank asap. I am going to use substrate from a creek near my house. I think this should aid in the process. Should I add some water from a tank I already have set up?


The biowheels were kept after they were used and have been dry for some time now. Unfortunately the filter media is a different size and won't fit the filters for the new tank.

Can I reuse the old bio wheels or should I wait to get new ones?

Any other suggestions to help the process?

Thanks,

bART

I think the best thing would be to use a piece of filter wadding from an established tank. You could also hang a small bag of gravel from an established tank in the filter.

If you are using a lot of substrate from the creek and aren't sterilizing it or something, then the tank will be instantly cycled.

This also happens when you use soil under gravel for growing plants. The bacteria are already there.

I have to second what nativeplanter said.

As for your question, you can soak the biowheels for a few days and then scrub them with a toothbrush, GENTLY, to refurbish them. Give them a good shaking, and rinse very well. You can even use a bit of bleach in the soak water, but be sure to use a heavy dose of dechlorinator to get rid of it before use, and then rise it again.