Penguin 150 with bio wheel

I have a 29 gallon tank and a penguin 150 filter that is sufficient for that size tank. I've noticed the filter overflow is pushing most if water out so water isn't being filtered correctly most of water isn't getting to media and bio wheel isn't spinning do I need to replace something?

 

I have a 29 gallon tank and a penguin 150 filter with bio wheel which is sufficient for that tank size. I've noticed filter overflow is shooting out most if water so water most of water isn't getting to media and bio wheel isn't spinning do I need to replace a part? The filter media cartridge is brand new.

 

Sounds to me that your filter is clogged. I would do a PWC and rinse out your filter in the tank water to unclog it so that water can pass through it as designed.

 

HI Tetra and welcome to Fishlore.
Did you shake the cartridge to level out the carbon inside? You can remove the carbon, too, if you want. I have that model filter too. I use it as a back-up in case I need to set up a emergency QT. My bio-wheel didn't spin either. I just removed it.
There are a few reasons that could cause the wheel not to turn. It could be that it isn't getting a strong enough current passing it to turn it due to the water escaping through the overflow. You can either remove the carbon in the cartridge or shake the cartridge to level the carbon out. Also, rinsing it in tank water could clean out any clogs from the floss to get the water to pass through the cartridge better and then you wouldn't lose so much water through the overflow. Another reason is that the wheel is too dry on top causing it to be out of balance and not turn. You can try soaking the wheel to get it evenly moist and then put it back on the filter. That will balance the water weight out and get it turning again.
Outside of the current not being strong enough to turn the bio-wheel, there isn't really much reason to worry about the water passing through the overflow. By moving through the filter, even if it doesn't go through the cartridge, it will still receive enough biological filtration. Test the water to make sure, but it should be fine. It's just a nuisance that the filter you just bought is already having problems. I know the feeling.

 

Is it not moving at all or is it moving/pausing/moving? If the later that is normal and expected.

 

Thanks

 

Impeller is moving and sufficient water is in it and just keeps going through overflow

 

I had the same issue with that filter...constantly. my filter even got to the point where it made awful grinding noises no matter how many times I cleaned, scrubbed, and took apart the filter.

My opinion: I switched to the sun sun fiter thing off eBay. 30 bucks for a weak canister vs 30 bucks for constant issues with my bio wheel? Priceless. On other terms, my whisper hob filter was better than the bio wheel! (I really...really hated that thing)

If the water is coming out of the over flow, than your filter isn't allowing enough water through which in turn is also causing your wheel to stop turning. (I gave up trying to keep it turning in the end.)

Try soaking your filter media, shaking it, or lifting it up a little to create a gap in the bottom (defeats the point in filtering but at least it wasn't overflowing). Or bite the bullet for a lesser problem filter?

Pm me if you have any more problems and I could tell you what I did on my 5 month journey of pain with this Gosh Darn (explicit in my mind) filter. x

 

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