Bio Wheel Power Filter turning slowly and noisy

I have a bio wheel power filter 150, today I noticed that it was turning very slowly, I had just done a water change, so I put some more water in, still was turning jerkly, opened the cover slightly moved the filter cartridge, the wheel is moving better now but making some noise, on the bottom of the filter, near the wheel its got some muck on it, like slime, yuckkkk, any advice? I know I am not suppose to wash the wheel but why is it going slow? thanks.

 

You can put some old tank water in a bucket and try to swish it to get some of the gunk off. Do you have any other filtration going? Is there other filter media in that filter?

 

there is one carbon filter cartridge in the power filter, its got black diamond carbon inside, I also have a bubble wand in the tank, that's all, thanks for help

 

Have you cleaned your impeller? My wheel will quit turning completely if I do not clean it at least once a month.

Rose

 

Thanks for advice, I took out the bio wheel, was careful nopt to touch it, and swished it around in a bucket with tank water in it, also I washed the impeller, and intake tube ( didnt know I had to do that) oh YUCKKKKKK , the gunk inside was revolting, , also I took out the filter and gave that a swish too, can't believe it was so mucky, anyway put it all back together and it seems much better, wheel still a little erratic, but better than it was, hope I did right, thanks again, this site is ace. one more thing, if the filter get so full of gooey gunk, should I change it for a new one? or just wash it? I know u don't change the wheel.

 

Rinse the filter media in USED tank water to remove the worst of the debris and replace it. You do not have to get a new one unless the water will not run through it at all. Rinsing it should help.

Rose

 

Hey all...so I have an Emperor 280 power filter with a bio-wheel. I've heard that all it does is collect nitrates and that you really don't need it in. But then I've heard that it stores beneficial bacteria that my tank needs. Should I leave the bio-wheel in, or take it out?

 

The Bio-Wheel is necessary. It is the part that the beneficial bacteria colonize.
The part that isn't necessary is the carbon in the filter. I have filled mine with ceramic planting medium in order to provide extra biological filtration (and a backup in case the Bio-Wheel stops turning).

 

The bio-wheels don't collect nitrates, just good bacteria. I've never heard that about nitrates before.

 

Thanks guys! I guess I'll just leave it in. I just have a big load in my tank...more fish than I probably should...but I've been doing weekly water changes (5 gallons and it's a 30 gallon tank). Nitrites and Ammonia stay at 0...but Nitrates get up around 15...but not higher...I would just like to see them at 0 at some point.

 

Thanks guys! I guess I'll just leave it in. I just have a big load in my tank...more fish than I probably should...but I've been doing weekly water changes (5 gallons and it's a 30 gallon tank). Nitrites and Ammonia stay at 0...but Nitrates get up around 15...but not higher...I would just like to see them at 0 at some point.

my tap water has 5ppm nitrates in it, so my tanks will never ever in a million years go lower than that. maybe you're in the same boat?

 

Maybe...I'll have to give it a test. I know that the pH is naturally high in it...but a pH buffer fixes that. I guess as long as it's not over 40 it's safe...I just want the best water conditions for my fish lol.

 

I have a Marineland Filter System, a Penguin 200 Series, and I was just wondering how often I should replace the bio wheel? I know the filter cartridge should be changed about once a month, and I was just wondering if the same goes for the wheel or not?

 

you don't change the bio wheel it stays there

 

That's odd, they have replacement wheels in the pet store. I guess that is for if it breaks or something.

 

yes that's exactly the reason if your bio wheel is damaged other than that just replace the filter for the bio wheel holds beneficial bacteria most of it I think

 

The bio-wheel gets replaced only when it breaks or when it gets so loaded with grime that even swishing it out in tank water doesn't clean it enough to allow it to spin.

 

in that case all you do is rinse the wheel with treated water (dechlorinated and stuff) but if the grime doesn't come off yes you need it replaced

 

in that case all you do is rinse the wheel with treated water (dechlorinated and stuff) but if the grime doesn't come off yes you need it replaced

That's what I said. ;D

 

I was reiterating lol (or just wasn't reading properly) I go with my first option

 

Heh. That's fine. ;D

In the end, it's like we're saying. It doesn't need to be changed unless it's broken or so bogged down that, even after it's been cleaned, it won't turn.

 

yup

 

there nice to use to cycle tanks you can just swap them around if you have other biowheels

 

I have to replace my biowheel !

 

there nice to use to cycle tanks you can just swap them around if you have other biowheels

Swapping bio-media is my preferred method of cycling tanks.

 

Swapping bio-media is my preferred method of cycling tanks.

I can normally gett the tank cycled that way, in 2 weeks tops, normally less

 

With my tank , one side of the filter is running but the other isn't so I want to get another ! Guess I should go ahead and get two biowheels if they have good price !

 

did you try washing it or swishing it around in the water, I had the same problem and I worked at it and works, I have the 350 model

 

If you have a Bio-Wheel, can you change out the filter cartridge without going into a minI cycle or should it just get swished in used tank water and reused?

 

You can change it out. There are two extra filter cartridges in the main body of the filter that will also house bacteria.

 

Well actually in my case I have an Eclipse 12 that I just bought, but didn't set up yet. It has only one filter cartridge and one Bio Wheel. The instructions say to change the cartridge every month, but I didn't know if there would be enough bacteria in the biowheel to avoid a mini-cycle.

 

its been longer than a month , with my wheel and needs to change it! so messed up !

 

Does anyone know about bio wheel filters ?

 

I have one.

 

I have just got one but I have heard they are not good. I have had no problems yet! Have you ?

 

Mines fine. Biowheels are rated well. Cannisters are top line, then biowheels IMO. They keep the BB on the wheel and have good water flow.

 

I think its a great filter, I would recommend people to have one

 

What kind is it? I've got an Emperor 400.

 

Mine is not as big as an emperor, I think its 1 or 2 bellow that but it does a great job. What size is your tank?

 

29G. It was on my 45G. I have 4 media options so I can adjust the water flow. I use foam, gravel rock, and lava rock bits. Fish do well w/ current & suction. Even my shrimp are fine.