Is Vaseline Safe For Aquarium Use? Biowheel Jammed?

I have absolutely no idea where to place this thread, sorry if it needs to be rehomed. My bio wheel hasn't been spinning, I was wondering if adding vaseline to the section it spins on might help it spin? Maybe? But I didn't know if vaseline was approved as a safe product to use in an aquarium, do any of you know for sure if it's safe? On a side note, if vaseline isn't safe or doesn't work, can anybody think of any other ways to get my bio wheel spinning properly? I've cleaned the entire filter, including the impeller and for a week or so after I did the bio wheel was moving fine, now it's come back to a standstill. I tried cleaning the impeller again, but it hasn't helped.

 

I think Thunder_o_b knows the answer. I think he says to use silicone lubricant but I'm not sure what that is or where you buy it. I have the same question. One of my bio wheels turns and one doesn't turn. I may also try changing one of my cartridges on my Penguin 330 (it has 2) to increase flow through the cartridge, slipping used media behind new cartridge so I don't lose beneficial bacteria.

 

Vaseline is a petrolum distillate. I would not use it. As pugletfan said I use silicone lubricant.

This is the product I use

There are several places that sell it.

 

I use this:

 

Vaseline is a petrolum distillate. I would not use it. As pugletfan said I use silicone lubricant.

This is the product I use

There are several places that sell it.

Can you describe where you put the lubricant? On my bio wheel I see a thin white tube that goes through the middle of the wheel. The wheel rotates on the white tube (perhaps there is a better word for this). I would think you should lubricate the white tube? Do you just put a bit of lubricant where the white tube enters the wheel?

 

I use this:

That is a better deal. I will have to order that.

Can you describe where you put the lubricant? On my bio wheel I see a thin white tube that goes through the middle of the wheel. The wheel rotates on the white tube (perhaps there is a better word for this). I would think you should lubricate the white tube? Do you just put a bit of lubricant where the white tube enters the wheel?

View attachment 431457

The white pins in the middle of the wheel is what you lubricate. Put it where the pins contact the filter.

 

Can you describe where you put the lubricant? On my bio wheel I see a thin white tube that goes through the middle of the wheel. The wheel rotates on the white tube (perhaps there is a better word for this). I would think you should lubricate the white tube? Do you just put a bit of lubricant where the white tube enters the wheel?

View attachment 431457

Yes, mine looks similarly to yours, I was going to lubricate the the white pin where it makes contact with the sides of the filter (which allows it to spin).