Hi! I have an Emperor 400B bio-wheel filter system that I'm having trouble with. The water isn't being sucked up the intake tube, but it's being pressurized into the misting tubes. I dry ran the filter (shame on me!) and found out that the impellor is running. Any ideas as to what's wrong with it? I need it ASAP for a set-up. Also, I heard that someone is making a kit that turns regular power filters into a bio wheel type filter. Has anyone else heard of this and where I can get these kits? I'm also in dire need of a diatom filter. Please let me know if you can help! Thanks!
Bio-wheel filter questions
- Thread starter OneCuteShasta
- Start date
I experienced the same problem with my Emperor bio wheel filter. I could hear it running but that was about it. What I ended up having to do to get it circulating was I pushed on the upper section of the intake tube toward the filter box, sort of in towards itself. I would hold it in until it got rolling (couple seconds). Sounds weird but that is what I had to do. I do not know why this happens but if you have the same problem maybe that will help.
I have an Emporor 400 that I won in a raffle at a cichlid club meeting a few years ago - I'm glad I didn't pay for it. Although I still use it, I think they are very over rated. I always have to reprime the crap out of it with a ton of water before it finally kicks in. Make sure your intake tube is firmly seated over the impeller. Some say that aquaclears lose their prime easy, but I think that the penguin filters are worse (I have a few of the 160/170's, too). The aquaclears are cheaper and flow better. And, personally, I have had fish for 35 years, and I can't say I have noticed any benefit to the biowheel concept at all. I think it is more marketing gimmick than valuable aid. It might not hurt, but I doubt if it is necessary. I don't know what your specific need for a diatom filter is, but they are typically used for "polishing" water. The same affect can usually be reproduced with adding various media to a canister or hob filter. Good luck!