? bio wheel stopped, water parameters

ncfishguy

AC Members
Jan 2, 2007
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zebulon nc
i have a penguin 200 bw filter it is 12 days old.(new tank) the wheel has been loud since i got it, spinning fast spitting water. i noticed it didn't sound as loud and when i checked the wheel wasn't turning. water was running back into tank around intake pipe. checked everything no obstructions. unpugged and replugged and with a little help it is turning again. it is no longer fast but more of a pause and go.(slow uneven roll). i have noidea how long it stopped turning it seemed to still be damp. this tank(20 long) is currently cycling and bio-spira was used 1-6-07. fully stocked 6 b.s tetra ,6 serpae tetra. readings had been around ; Amm. 0.25- 0.50, nitrite 0.25 to 0.50, nitrate 20. checked around 2 pm today. i just checked and amm. was 1ppm nitrite 0 and nitrate 20. what happened to nitrite and where is all the ammonia coming from?

i
 
That wheel should be spining like day 1.
Try lifting up the intake tube and push it back down once or twice ( the flow manifold housing and impeller inside the filter will come up too), this will reseat the unit and hopefully you will get your spin back to full strength.

If not talk to where you bought it at and get it replaced.

On your water, have you done any water changes yet?
It looks like the bio-spira worked/is working, get that ammonia down, I'd do a 30-50% water change right away then check 12-24 hours later.
Continue as needed.


Good luck
Rob
 
Ok well try the reseat trick, if it doesn't work, take it back. That bio-wheel has to be spinning.

Step up on the water changes you have to keep that ammonia down.
 
That wheel should be spining like day 1.
Try lifting up the intake tube and push it back down once or twice ( the flow manifold housing and impeller inside the filter will come up too), this will reseat the unit and hopefully you will get your spin back to full strength.

If not talk to where you bought it at and get it replaced.

On your water, have you done any water changes yet?
It looks like the bio-spira worked/is working, get that ammonia down, I'd do a 30-50% water change right away then check 12-24 hours later.
Continue as needed.


Good luck
Rob

I own two Bio-Wheels. If either of my devices were spinning like they were on "day 1" I'd be concerned and with reason. As time progresses a little sludge and slime <i>will</i> slow the wheels down a bit. Sometimes, the wheels will make a few roatations every once in a while. This is what he wants and this is what they were designed to do as the wheels accumulate with bacteria. But it shouldn't happen in the course of two weeks, unless he is heavily stocked.

Ncfish: it really is too soon and with the water "backing up" it sounds like it may be flawed. What size is your tank and what is it stocked with?
 
The only time my bio-wheels stop are when the filter part gets to clogged to allow fast flow accross it. Good reminder to replace the filter.

Trypulling out the filter for a miute and see if the wheel turns then,
 
From what I gather, the tank has been set up with this filter for less then a week. While it is true that the bio-wheel will slow down in time it does not happen that fast. I would try lifting the intake tube up until some of the water drains from the filter. Then push it(the intake tube) all the way back down into place until it clicks so to speak. The filter will fill with water again on it's own and the wheel will be reset so you should get the full speed back on the bio-wheel. Make sure that it is all the way in place again or this will not work the way it should. If this does not work you may want to take the filter off of the tank and take it apart. Something may be clogging it. Make sure you check the impeller too since many times this is where the problem is since the impeller sometimes does not want to spin correctly. If you do all of this and the filter is still not operatring correctly then I would return it for a repacement.

Marinemom
 
thanks for your comments. the filter is functional again. i really do not believe it stopped for very long. i think what happened was during a water change while the water was down abit the large driftwood in the tank may have push up the intake and got air into the filter. i don't know. have done 3 25% water changes in past 24 hours. nitrite is perfect nitrate is perfect but the ammonia is a pain. i manage to get it down from 1ppm to 0.50 and will not feed today. i guess for now i will just keep toting the bucket. fish are super active and keeping giving me the ol feed me please look. i will not give in.
 
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