Bio Wheels And New Tank

I was at a pet store today and the representative stated that I could take my existing bio-wheel and move it over to a brand new tank just start the cycle faster. I currently have a 55 gallon tank that I know the bio wheel will fit a 30 gallon tank, but I'm not sure how accurate this representative is. My question is, what would you guys do? would you move a pre-existing bio-wheel from a running tank and move it to a brand new tank? What you move existing water from one tank into a brand new tank? Or simply do a complete new tank new water new biofilter?

 

Just move the filter over.

Are you moving the fish over too? If so move them and the filter over at the same time and you shouldn't have to cycle it at all.

 

Will be brand new fish.

 

Are there any fish in the old tank?
If so do you have a second filter running in the old tank to keep the fish happy when you move the filter over?

 

I currently have a 55 gallon tank with a filter system on that has two bio Wheels to it. The new 30 gallon tank has the same bio wheel cartridge to it, and it will contain new fish. The representative stated to move over 10 gallons of my water from the 55 gallon tank to the 30 gallon tank add additional water to that use a bio wheel from the 55 gallon tank in a 30 and that should jump start the system for the 30 gallon tank.

 

I think that's all good advice. Once you've done it make sure to add fish right away or another source of ammonia so the bacteria doesn't starve. There is no need to move water though.

 

ditch the biowheel and get two AQ70s. aquaclear is the only HOB anyone should buy, especially for bigger tanks. for my 55 gallon I have 2 Aquaclear 110s. but two aq70s. with a55g you want two HOBs bare minimum for proper filtration throughout the tank AND surface agitation, you don't want dead spots on your surface. Once you get into bigger tanks you'll want to get a canister filter because it provides proper circulation throughout the entire tank. oxygen exchange isn't spoken about enough and it's a problem

 

ditch the biowheel and get two AQ70s. aquaclear is the only HOB anyone should buy, especially for bigger tanks. for my 55 gallon I have 2 Aquaclear 110s. but two aq70s. with a55g you want two HOBs bare minimum for proper filtration throughout the tank AND surface agitation, you don't want dead spots on your surface. Once you get into bigger tanks you'll want to get a canister filter because it provides proper circulation throughout the entire tank. oxygen exchange isn't spoken about enough and it's a problem

Question to the OP, are there currently fish in the 55 gal (active cycle)? If so you should be able to donate half the filter media to the new tank to jump start/instant cycle.

Keep the bio wheels you already own if they are working for you. Personally, I had miserable luck with aquaclears due to power outages (I blame the multi-piece intake tube assembly leaking, even with adequate water levels). I used biowheel filters for at least 15 years without any problems.