I noticed the bio-wheels on my Penguin 330 are not turning. Any suggestions as to what I can do to fix this?
Bio-wheels not turning
- Thread starter Cichlid Guy
- Start date
Sorry..Not here. I use the emperor type filters (they use spray bar to turn the wheels). There is a person that LOVES the penguin series filters. You can ask him? you would have to search the threads though..I forget which thread he is in? sorry
Can you manually turn them? Maybe just clean up the sides and the "axel" ends...they have a tendency to build up slime and calcium...at least in emporers.
see if your filter pads are touching them...
otherwise, just clean off the parts that are weighed down and it will start spinning again.
otherwise, just clean off the parts that are weighed down and it will start spinning again.
Another victim of Penguin...
IMO, if you want to eliminate the problem once and for all, just change the filter for something more decent (AquaClear or Emperor, for example). Or use it as a non-BioWheel one.
IMO, if you want to eliminate the problem once and for all, just change the filter for something more decent (AquaClear or Emperor, for example). Or use it as a non-BioWheel one.
If the wheels aren't turning, you can check several things...
- make sure the filter pads aren't too clogged to allow enough water to cascade under the wheels
- check the little spindle bearings (the stubs that stick out of both ends of the wheels) and make sure they (and their receptacles) are dirty or coated with lime scale
- make sure the intake tube is firmly seated in impeller well
- seat the filter pads fully; make sure they don't come into contact with the wheels
- make sure the lid is on correctly and isn't contacting the wheel
I've got several Penguins (mostly 170s) that have been running without incident for several years. I've never had any problem with the wheels stopping that wasn't due to one of the above. The wheels often turn slowly or infrequently (i.e., once every minute or two), but that's normal.
HTH,
Jim
- make sure the filter pads aren't too clogged to allow enough water to cascade under the wheels
- check the little spindle bearings (the stubs that stick out of both ends of the wheels) and make sure they (and their receptacles) are dirty or coated with lime scale
- make sure the intake tube is firmly seated in impeller well
- seat the filter pads fully; make sure they don't come into contact with the wheels
- make sure the lid is on correctly and isn't contacting the wheel
I've got several Penguins (mostly 170s) that have been running without incident for several years. I've never had any problem with the wheels stopping that wasn't due to one of the above. The wheels often turn slowly or infrequently (i.e., once every minute or two), but that's normal.
HTH,
Jim
That happened to my friend's Penguin 125. I don't know why, but he doesn't have as much water comming out of it, not enough to turn the wheel. I took his apart and fully cleaned it, and there was no difference. As stated, if it doesn't start to rotate in the next few days, I would get another filter.
I have 5 Penguin filters, 2-330's, 1-300, 2-125's. I have found they are very sensitive to intake restrictions-I clean the tubes,strainers and impellers weekly during water change time. This only takes a few minutes with a round brush and quickly restores water flow. If the filter pads get plugged up the water will back flow @ the intake and the wheels will stop too. Snails seem to love the bio-wheels and get stuck in there all the time, and will climb into the housing, breeding in there and lead to the filters clogging up as well.
my first thought upon reading the title of this thread:
"big wheels keep on turnin... proud mary keep on...."
"big wheels keep on turnin... proud mary keep on...."
T
TnCgal
Guest