I've had the filter on a 20 High planted and fully stocked for about 4 months. Recently my ammonia levels are creeping up a tad and the biowheel part of the filter is moving very slowly and sometimes just stopping. I rinsed the wheel in aquarium water, but it didn't appear to have much of an impact. I know BioWheels are supposed to slow down when they get older, but is it supposed to stop?
Pengiun BioWheel
- Thread starter Sly_Marbo
- Start date
I have bio-wheel filters on 3 of my tanks and have experienced similar problems with them slowing and stopping. The problem usually arises when the impeller assembly starts getting dirty. The dirt causes the impeller to slow which also slows the water flow over the wheel. Take a few minutes to pop the impeller out and give it a good scrub and see if it helps. You can also try cleaning the bearings on the wheel.
I have a penguin -- before that I got its big brother the Emperor 280 (280?) anyway, the emperor instruction book talks about dismantling it every month or two, basically taking off everything that will come off -- it gives a step-by-step including diagrams -- clean it all (except the wheel of course), then re-assemble. I do this monthly (well -- 3 times so far).
I was surprised there was no mention of cleaning in the penguin instructions.
I prefer the emperor -- I will likely get rid of the penguin, move the emperor from my 65 to my 29, and put a canister on the 65 -- one day.
I was surprised there was no mention of cleaning in the penguin instructions.
I prefer the emperor -- I will likely get rid of the penguin, move the emperor from my 65 to my 29, and put a canister on the 65 -- one day.
Here is EXACTLY what to do. If you follow these steps and it still won't work, call/email Marineland at the link below.
1. Remove Cover.
2. Carefully remove BIO-Wheel and Bracket. If calcium deposit build up around Bearings and Brackets interfere with rotation, carefully remove BIO-Wheel from bracket and gently brush bearing and axle area clean. To advoid disturbing beneficial bacteria culture, hold BIO-Wheel by the endcaps and/or axle. Any algae, mineral, or other buildup that hinder rotation can be eliminated with a gentle rinse in aquarium water.
NOTE: Bearings can fall off axle. Before cleaning, remove bearings and put them aside.
3. Float BIO-Wheel in aquarium water to keep it from drying out which can cause you to lose benefecial bacteria.
4. Remove and discard Rite Size Cartridge(s).
5. Remove Intake Tube and clean inside with a flexible filter brush. You can buy these almost anywhere incliding at your local Wal Mart.
6. Lift filter box from back of aquarium.
7. Carefully remove Magnet Impeller Assembly and Impeller Housing. Seperate and clean Impeller Assembly with cleaning brush. Rinse thouroughly with cold water. Inspect Impeller Assembly and purcase new part if excessive wear or damage is evident. Wipe down inside and outside surface of filter box with a clean cloth. Rinse with cold water and reinstall parts.
9. Rinse and install new Rite Size Cartridge.
9. Replace BIO-Wheel Assembly and Bracket. Reinstall power filter on aquarium and restart. Check water flow and BIO-Wheel rotation. Replace cover.
Remember, irregular rotation and even breif stops of the BIO-Wheel is normal and desireable. Discoloration is also normal and desireable.
1. Remove Cover.
2. Carefully remove BIO-Wheel and Bracket. If calcium deposit build up around Bearings and Brackets interfere with rotation, carefully remove BIO-Wheel from bracket and gently brush bearing and axle area clean. To advoid disturbing beneficial bacteria culture, hold BIO-Wheel by the endcaps and/or axle. Any algae, mineral, or other buildup that hinder rotation can be eliminated with a gentle rinse in aquarium water.
NOTE: Bearings can fall off axle. Before cleaning, remove bearings and put them aside.
3. Float BIO-Wheel in aquarium water to keep it from drying out which can cause you to lose benefecial bacteria.
4. Remove and discard Rite Size Cartridge(s).
5. Remove Intake Tube and clean inside with a flexible filter brush. You can buy these almost anywhere incliding at your local Wal Mart.
6. Lift filter box from back of aquarium.
7. Carefully remove Magnet Impeller Assembly and Impeller Housing. Seperate and clean Impeller Assembly with cleaning brush. Rinse thouroughly with cold water. Inspect Impeller Assembly and purcase new part if excessive wear or damage is evident. Wipe down inside and outside surface of filter box with a clean cloth. Rinse with cold water and reinstall parts.
9. Rinse and install new Rite Size Cartridge.
9. Replace BIO-Wheel Assembly and Bracket. Reinstall power filter on aquarium and restart. Check water flow and BIO-Wheel rotation. Replace cover.
Remember, irregular rotation and even breif stops of the BIO-Wheel is normal and desireable. Discoloration is also normal and desireable.
IME it's usually not the impeller that is the problem, but the intake tube.
Make sure you clean the intake tube thoroughly as it will restrict the flow of water. You can get a flexible brush that will bend right through the tube. Use that to remove all the mulm buildup.
Roan
Make sure you clean the intake tube thoroughly as it will restrict the flow of water. You can get a flexible brush that will bend right through the tube. Use that to remove all the mulm buildup.
Roan
I've always had great sucess just sticking the intake tube under the bathtub faucet letting the water run full force then lightly tapping each end on the tub bottom. That usually cleans out most of the gunk.
Just did exactly what fishieperson did...The filter works exactly like it did when I first bought it
Thanks alot.
You'de be surprised by the amount of gunk that just sits in you're intake tube. No wonder my ammonia levels were gradually rising. Once again thanks
Thanks alot.You'de be surprised by the amount of gunk that just sits in you're intake tube. No wonder my ammonia levels were gradually rising. Once again thanks