The biowheel is an efficient biological filter, which obviously is a necessity for the tank. I use one on a 20 gallon tank. I do 4 gallon water changes (almost) every week which includes rinsing the pads. IME, daily rinsing is not necessary to prevent nitrate build up as mine test at less...
Steve,
The amount of flow you have sounds good. The media should be fluidized like you describe with a section of clear water above the media. As for the rinsing, I know the PhosBan container says don't rinse. However, the directions with the reactor say "We recommend that the first gallon...
