boxerdog1

The biowheel part of the filter no longer rolls as the water passes it. There is plenty of water in the tank and the filter is working, but that part isn't moving or moves infrequently. Is this normal once the biological filter is established in a tank? Or is there something wrong with the filter?

Dozey

I just gave up on my Penguin bio-wheel 200’s for that very same reason. However a few things to check. Just to the right of the main water flow is an overflow chute. If water is coming out of the overflow your filter is clogged and not allowing enough water to pass through it.

The bearings and shaft that the bio-wheel spins on could be gunked up. The shaft is easily cleaning with paper towel and the bearing can be removed from the filter by lifting straight up on them making a bit easier to clean them under tape water and trying to paper towel in them to wipe them clean.

genie

I run the Penguin 350 Bio-wheel on my 33 gallon. I have been for over 2 years-- same filter. I love it, and have never had any real problems. I occasionally have to rinse off the wheel in some siphoned tank water. It gets build up and doesn't spin evenly, but this doesn't happen often. IMO its not a huge problem and I read somewhere that it is normal. I am sorry you are having problems.

prairielilly

I have this happen often and find it a royal pain in the -- ! Usually I find there's a 'slight' amount of buildup on the filter media which has diminished the flow, and ANY reduction in flow causes my biowheel to stop turning. Rinsing the filter media in used tank water/dechlorinated tap water usually fixes this in my case....until the next time...

Dozey

The bio-wheel has IMHO a design flaw. The overflow tube bypasses the wheel. If the bypass simply bypassed the cartridge and returned the water flow to the chute that keeps the wheel spinning I’d say it was a great filter. But I got totally fed up with cleaning the cartridges every other day or more.

I’m a lot happier with my whisper filter. The media is removable from the cartridge allowing me to clean it very well.

fishchick

Have 2 filters usuallly , the power went out last night about 4:30 in the morning , and this made my filter burn out ! Haven't made my filter start back up ! Have to get a new filter !

fishchick

I usually clean the filter out with an old toothbrooth i have , with scalding water ! It works very well ! Then i clean each part of the filter with brush , and add filter!

CoryMac

do mean a tetra whisper ex?? if so i just got one, i love it's technology easy to change filter, works great but im having noise problems with it ,i've had it running for about 2 weeks already , it's getting a bit annoying, is there a break in period with this power filter, I know my penguin bio-wheel 350 did it was loud for the first 3 week but now is close to silent.

Dozey

Yes I am running an EX. Mine has been dead silent from day one. And I too love the cartridge design compared to the penguin’s cartridges. The no drip feature sure helps keep my tank cleaner and being able to remove the media from the rigid shell sure make it easier to clean.

fishchick

My Penguin Biowheel 200 held up during the power outage , the owner said that it would just fill back up with water ! Maybe i will check the other one , hope don't have to replace it !