Filter acting funny

mainuh

mainuh

friendly member
Oct 4, 2009
23
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in the woods
just a quik question lol ive noticed that suddenly my bio wheel stopped turning so i cleaned the axles [this is a penguin msrineland 200] but noticed that the filter was holding back enough water like a dam preventing my wheel from getting enough push . tank has been running ablout one month [ noticed too that the water has been clouding up quiker as well] had to do water change twice a week instead of once . might i have to change the filter media ,charcoal could be gettin tired could'nt it
 
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The carbon may need replacement every 4 weeks. I'd not use it anymore though unless you are trying to remove medicines, tannins, etc. It's not really necessary.
 
if the filter pad is holding back the water flow its time to replace the pad you can only rinse them out so many times before you need it toss it.
 
I know it's not good to rinse them but im rinseing it out almost everyother day just to keep water flowin and now even rinsing not enough to restore flow , ill try to replace it tomorrow i guess a month is not to bad , how long does everybody elses last ?
[just curious]
 
I remove the floss from the plastic backing and cut pieces of 100 micron filter felt to size and use the backing to hold them in place. I keep a set in the filter, a set in a bucket of bleached water and a set clean and ready to go. The felt lasts alot longer and as Lupin said you don't need carbon all the time anyway.
 
I change mine once a month, unless my water flow diminishes to point where it's ponding in the filter. If that happens, I change out the filter.
 
I have the same issue with both of my marineland biowheel filters, it annoys the heck out of me. I had to put the smaller filter with just one wheel tilted so the wheel keeps turning. Even if I get a new pad or take it out, the wheel moves either very slowly or not at all. They also make tons of noise like the pump is messed up. Fish don't seem to mind, so I try not to worry either, but I will not be buying them again since I can't fix these constant problems. I have an Aquaclears for my 55g and it's totally silent, excellent suction too. No issues with that kind.
 
a strange observation of that filter (i have the same one) is that if you fill your tank higher your bio-wheel will spin better. also as per the instruction manual constatn stopping and starting is not a problem.

i dont think i ahve replaced my filters in about 5 months or so, just shake squeeze and jiggle them in dirty tank water and they ahve been fine. i think replacement is going to be soon though...

also, do a forum search for "DIY Penguin filters" or something like that with the post creater being me. i wrote up a quick instruction set to create your own filters for tese things...will save you LOTS of money over the life of your filter
 
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