Ever have an Emperor Biowheel pump just wear out?

[Danny-O]

I've got an Emperor 280 Biowheel. Of late the flow seems to have diminished. And it's become prone to the gurgles you otherwise only get when it needs primed. I've cleaned everything out and inspected the impeller. Everything seems in order. It's just loosing steam. Do these things wear out on any particular schedule? I've had this one in place for 4 or 5 years. A new impeller is about half the cost of new pump, but a whole new rig isn't that expensive anyway. The motor looks sealed and not replacable. Flawless performance otherwise. Anyone have experience?

 

[authmal]

I'd say replace it. Aquaclear or a canister. At least then, if you wish, you can replace the pieces you need.

 

[FreshyFresh]

Have you cleaned all the suction piping and the area where the impeller seats?

I know doing that has brought my little bio-wheel HOB filter back to life (one on my 10g tank).

 

[Danny-O]

Thanks for the responses. I have cleaned everything I can. The flow is still weak, but is hanging in there. I happen to have a UGF on this tank, too, and it's understocked. I'm not in immediate danger if it fails so I'll observe it for a while.

 

[FreshyFresh]

Danny-o I feel your pain! I've got a problematic Marineland/Penguin bio-wheel 100 now!

I noticed my 10g very cloudy this AM. Upon closer inspection, the bio-wheel was no longer spinning. A common thing on the forums. I've had the whole filter apart before for a thorough cleaning when I noticed it's water output slowing, so I took it off the tank and cleaned all the goo out of it again (leaving the bio-wheel and filter pad in a container of tank water). Removed some gunk from around the impeller and impeller area. No excessive gunk in the suction tubing, outflow area, etc.

The wheel still won't spin and it released a bunch of fuzzy white algae into the tank. I did a ~50-60% WC and there's still a ton of white fuzzy algae floating around .

I may be visiting my LFS later today for an aquaclear. Sucks too, because I've got two more "Right Size-A" filter pads left for my little bio-wheel.

 

[authmal]

Sucks too, because I've got two more "Right Size-A" filter pads left for my little bio-wheel.

Yet another reason for Aquaclear (or Fluval C series) is that you don't buy new media, until your current media breaks. I've had the same sponge on my AC 70 for almost 2 years, and aside from some discoloration, it's in awesome shape still. Speaking of, I need to add some to my thread about my C2.

 

[oo7genie]

Yet another reason for Aquaclear (or Fluval C series) is that you don't buy new media, until your current media breaks. I've had the same sponge on my AC 70 for almost 2 years, and aside from some discoloration, it's in awesome shape still. Speaking of, I need to add some to my thread about my C2.

I just bought some cheap foam pads meant for Rena XP series filters, cut them to shape, and slid them into the filter cartridge slots on my Penguin 350 (basically an Emperor 400 filter without the extra water spitter). Then there was no need to buy new media, and I got to keep using biowheels, not to mention, my flow improved greatly with the foam, over using the replaceable stock pads. Then I used the extra slots to add cheap aftermarket cartridges filled with bio-rings to provide an increase to my surface area available for BB.

I set 4 of them up this way before I switched to canister filtration on all my tanks. I've never had better HOB filters, and they never let me down.

 

[FreshyFresh]

I just bought some cheap foam pads meant for Rena XP series filters, cut them to shape, and slid them into the filter cartridge slots on my Penguin 350 (basically an Emperor 400 filter without the extra water spitter).

Cool idea, but that wont work properly for smaller penguin bio-wheel HOBs. There's not enough room in them.

 

[Glabe]

did you check the black rubber thing on the top of the spindle? I had one that was warped and stopping the impeller, but I tore it off and it works fine without it so far

 

[Danny-O]

Problem solved

Problem solved!

Glabe, you were on to it. I noticed that the impeller was not spinning as freely as it could. I ordered a new impeller assembly for $15 off Amazon, and everything is good as new. The little rubber bushing thing had hardened or worn out and was not allowing the impeller to turn at speed anymore. Not as cheap as Glabe's suggestion, but much less than a whole new pump.