Bio-wheel problem, or is it?

[fishkid64]

Hey everyone, i got a Penguin Bio-Wheel Power Filter 200 for a 38 Gal. Tank, about 3-4 weeks ago. For about the last week to week and a half the bio wheel part hasn't been spinning, and when it does spin it spins very slowly, does anyone know why this is?
Also, on the same filter, some times when the tank is completely full it makes like a gurgling sound like its trying to suck up water but it isn't, because it does it off and on, off and on, plus the back of the filter is all the way filled up. It honostly is makes it hard to sleep sometimes because the tank is in my room, does anyone know how to fix this?
Thanks so much everyone!!!

 

[Pure]

Yup I know how to fix it. Toss it in the trash. Needless to say I've been less than pleased with these filters.

 

[fishkid64]

you see the problem with that solution is im 14 i have a minimum cash inflow and i payed 50 bucks for it, there is no way im throwing it away

 

[FroggyFox]

sorry never had a biowheel filter before...have you tried taking the biowheel off and rinsing it off in tank water to make sure there's nothing hindering the movement?

 

[Lotus]

It isn't a problem if the wheel spins slowly, they do that as they get older. If it bothers you, you can check the axels on the sides to see if they have gunk on them that needs to be cleaned off. Never clean the wheel in chlorinated (straight tap) water.

If the back of the filter is too full, it could be that the filter pad needs changing.

I haven't used the new models of the filter, so I'm not sure about the gurgling. Perhaps you're filling the tank too high, and it's causing the noise. Have you checked that the intake tube is on properly and that the impeller is seated correctly?

 

[Pure]

I've had the same problem with the gurgling *listens to one doing it now* and nothing I have tried seems to solve the problem. It also comes and goes as it pleases.

 

[Limi310]

I bought a penguin biowheel and ended up taking it back to the store because it was so loud - much more so then the Whisper I have on my other tank. I know this doesn't really help you, but it makes me wonder if the loudness is normal for this kind of filter.
Most stores have a 30-60 day return policy - could you try that and exchange it?

 

[Seleya]

Admittedly, I hate the things -- they're noisy, clog easily on both the intake and inside the filter itself and are just a royal pain. Unless your tank was just a scene of floating silt before you popped this filter on, it shouldn't be clogged and the wheel not turning after 3 or 4 weeks. The wheel supposedly turns more slowly (let's say stops except for occasional movement) as the filter ages and should never be replaced (according to the manufacturer) but 3 or 4 weeks doesn't count as aging.

I would try to exchange it for a decent filter (Aquaclear would be great tho they're a wee bit splashy themselves if you allow the water level to drop or a Whisper, which are very quiet and I like their in-tank filters especially). Where did you purchase it? If you got it someplace like PetSmart, decide what filter you'd like to replace it with and print out their internet pricing off their website -- they'll match that price (filters online are usually a LOT less than in the store, so you could probably upgrade to more gallons per hour (gph) while you're at it)

 

[prettypleco]

I have one and it is pretty quiet. I do check the bio-wheels though as they can stop for absolutely no reason. Also make sure if you have a bubble wall its not near the filter. When the bubbles go up in the intake tube they make an ungodly like racket.

 

[Lotus]

You could always call Marineland support. They're usually good about standing behind their products.

 

[Seleya]

PP, absolutely. I put a bubble wall in one of my goldie tanks and had to curve it away from the Penguin because of the noise -- it was unreal! The bubble wall is directly under the Whisper which is also on the tank and no sound whatsoever, the biowheel needed the bubbles to be at least 4 - 5" from the intake and I leaned a small piece of driftwood in the way as well to ensure no more screaming filter.

 

[geekrockgirl85]

my last filter-purchasing experience was a nightmare kind of like this... i originally bought an aquaclear mini from my lfs, took it back because it was making coffee-grinder noises. exchanged for a penguin 100, which made quite similar (though less obnoxious) noises and biowheel was turning irregularly. after taking that one back to the lfs and being told there was nothing wrong with it, i went to petsmart and bought another penguin 100 just to prove a point. we hooked them up side by side, and, lo and behold, the new one was actually turning at a normal, continuous rate, and quiet!

so long story short... you've probably just got a defective one. see what the store can do, or as lotus suggested, call marineland.

 

[PlecoCollector]

I've never had a good experience with a Penguin Bio-wheel. I had one a few years ago and ended up tossing it because I couldn't sleep and it wasn't doing anything. It was brand new and refused to work at all.

I suggest a Whisper or even an Aquaclear if you don't mind the waterfall sound (they're still not as bad as the Penguins). I have 3 Whispers running in my two tanks and I really have no complaints about them. (And I can sleep at night )

 

[Viciente]

This recently happened to the BioWheel on my girlfriend's tank. This is what I did to fix it.

I took the filter off the tank and emptied the water into a bowl. Took off the biowheel and placed it into the bowl of water (need to keep bacteria wet). Then I removed the suction pipe (cleaned it with a tube cleaning brush). THen went into the filter itself, removed the filter cartridge, removed the impeller, cleaned the impeller, cleaned the hole the impeller sat in, put everything back together and the filter now worked fine. Sufficient water was flowing to cause the biowheel to spin as it should.

That's my $0.02.
Mileage may vary.

 

[fishkid64]

Alright Everyone thanks for the replies, i think after school today, i'am going to try viciente's idea first, and see if that fixes it. If that doesn't work, its a trip to aquatics unlimited!

Thanks so much everyone

 

[Fantail_Lover]

Its normal for the bio-wheel to spin slower or unevenly as it gets older. The reason is the beneficial bacteria thats growing on the wheel will often grow unevenly, so its totally normal. It shouldn't stop though, so maybe check the axis that it rolls on and make sure its clear of debris.

As for the gurgling, that happens to me only when I first turn on the pump. It is attempting to create a flow and the air in the system is working its way out. This sound shouldn't last for more than a few seconds, however...

-Xan

 

[Shaunna]

My did the same thing. I noticed that when it started getting loud that it was time to rinse the cartridge. Works everytime. And yes, mine does do it when I first turn it on for a couple of secs, too. My wheel also spins hinda slowly or sometimes not at all, but it is still doing the job I figure so that is all I am worried about.

 

[fishkid64]

Alright thanks so much everyone!

 

[fishkid64]

Is it a problem that because there is a place for 2 filter cartridges, but your really only need one, and i have 2, is this a problem?

 

[GIS Guy]

I have a Emperor 280 and have not had a problem with either the bio-wheel, noise or double media cartridges. I check to make sure the axle of the bio-wheel remains unobstructed. My bio-wheel has been running for 2 years at a constant rate, neither fast or pausing. I have also moved the bubble wand out from under the intake; the filter would suck up a lot of bubbles. Recently I have begun running the filter with only the floss/carbon cartridge (rite-size e). Before that I was using that along with the carbon cartridge. Water passed thru both just fine. The tank does not require the use anymore and it was wasting my $$. As long as you maintain good waterflow throw the media I don't think there would be problem running both. But you probably only need one floss media.