newbie filter question on what I need to replace in used filter I purchased

Fishnewbie1

So I just bought a used tank which also came with a used filter system (the Marineland Penguin Bio-Wheel 350). The tank (and filter) had been out of use for about 6 months per the previous owner.

My question is do I need to buy new bio-wheels or will I be fine with ones it came with? I will buy and replace the filter cartridges, and plan on doing the appropriate cycling of the tank.

Hopefully I dont need to buy new bio-wheels, but figured best to check with the experts aka you!

Taz

Did you happen to ask where you bought the tank why they got rid of it? I always do in case of parasites & serious enthusiasts should disclose that. If it was just lack of interest, moving etc. there shouldn't be a problem with current wheels (unless damaged). I've always bought used stuff or even found it after garage sales at curb/in dumpsters & had no problems. I usually run stuff for a couple of days with nothing or a couple of cheapy Goldfish in the tank to season/test it, then do whatever for setup. What size tank? Good luck.

iamntbatman

Yep, unless the bio-wheels have been exposed to some sort of nasty chemical they should be fine. Of course, they won't have any bacteria still living on them but they should work just fine.

Fishnewbie1

Yeah I asked, seller had to move into smaller apartment and therefore no longer had room for tank (seemed like legit story).

The tank is 45 Gallons.

Sorry another dumb newbie question, so assuming I use same bio-wheels should I wash them under tap water for a bit before using them in my filter and beginning my cycle? Or does it not really matter either way as long as I run tank/filter for a while before adding new fish.

thanks in advance

Taz

Pretty much. Just don't run them under hot water - it ruins the carbon. Try throwing in some "junk" fish (ones you won't care about) to start the bacteria again - feeder guppies/Goldfish work for me. They'll also let you know if there's something drastically wrong (like chemicals0 with the wheels. I would still get new wheels when you can and keep those for emergency spares after you've used them awhile.

iamntbatman

Well, you shouldn't ever need to replace bio-wheels and they don't have any carbon in them that I'm aware of. I would probably give them a good rinse in hot tap water before using them.

JohnnyD44

+1 on that. I've had the same bio-wheels in my 20G for 3 years!

Taz

Thanks for keeping me "on the screen" batman, I'm still trying to figure out my way around the site, and sometimes only get a few minutes on a break at work.

You're probably right & I've used most of my filter equipment far longer than dealer recommended (of course), although I understood the wheels had fine charcoal imbedded in the filter material, but i could have been misinformed & have never taken one apart (not sure if you could see it anyway). A friend of mine (who has an independant pet store with his wife - he does the fins/feathers, she does the furries) told me he just throws the wheels away because if they clog & stop there can be a problem with the filter overflowing out the back.

So did our newbie tank friend (Tanus?) say what kind of fish she would be keeping?
I just set up a new 10 gal for some (6) "kohaku" swords. Pretty variety, red eyes, orange on front/back, white in middle - hubby calls them "creamsicle fish"; he's not a fishy person yet but I set up a large candy jar for him when he admired some fancytail calico Goldfish and put it on his dresser with a calico and a black moor. He named them "Tango & Cash" after we watched the movie, and he said the moor was like Johnny Cash, "The Man in Black". I'm loving the names he picks for my fish too.

Is there a better way to be connecting on the site? I'm a bit frustrated. I don't have a website or anything fancy. Just want to connect with fellow fishy folk.

iamntbatman

I'm not sure exactly what you mean by connecting. Can you elaborate on your frustration?

JohnnyD44

The Bio-Wheel itself, should never need to be thrown away, unless ripped or not functioning properly. Like I said, I've had the same bio-wheels for almost 3 years. Alot of companies and chain LFS tell you to replace them because they want to make money. If you are having problems with your biowheel not flowing through your pads properly....I'm guessing that the pads are clogged with debri and fish waste.

On my 20G, during my weekly pwc, I will "swish" the pads around in the dirty tank water to get all of the gunk off of them, and then place them right back in the filter chamber. If you try that and still find little to no water coming through the filter, I would dis-assemble it and clean the propeller and the intake tube.