Mac Pro :: Remedy For Spinning Beach Ball?

Sometimes I will go for a while without using my computer. For example, if I step out for a meeting or lunch. Other times I will just be using an application that does not need to access the data drive which is a WD. When I come back to my computer or try to access the data drive I get the spinning BeachBall. For example, I just came back from being out for a couple hours. I came back to my computer which was not sleeping, only the monitor was. I launched Safari and after going to a few web sites everything was fine. Then I went to [URL] and the spinning BeachBall came up and then I heard the WD drive kick in (like a jet firing up if you will). Then the website loaded and the spinning BeachBall was gone. Here is what I have in System Preferences:

EnergyComputer Sleep: Never
Display Sleep: 1 hr
Put the hard disk(s) to sleep when possible: CHECKED
Wake for network access: UNCHECKED

Does this have anything to do with having Put the hard disk(s) to sleep when possible: CHECKED? If so, does this mean if I UNCHECK it, the drive will continue to spin until I either a) shut the computer down or b) put the computer to sleep? And, this will remedy the spinning BeachBall? I am using WD RE3 drives so if the above is true, do I need to worry about the drive spinning 24x7 if unattended and the computer never sleeps?