Biowheel

[Mawade1984]

I have a penguin 150 bio wheel pump, and lately the wheel doesn't seem to be turning as much. Any ideas whys? Does it need to be cleaned? It doesn't look that dirty. It's got some brown on it, which I thought was good bacteria? The pump seems to be fine, just the wheel...

 

[OrangeCones]

The bio-wheels can slow down if the flow slows. Rinsing (in the water you are changing out during a water change) can help. Also, make sure the pegs that the wheel rotates on are not covered in debris. If they are, just wipe them with a papertowel and it should improve the spnning.

As long as they don't stop completely, the bio-wheels are functioning as they should. If they do stop, the bacteria that dries out will die off.

 

[FishDad]

They get heavy with bacteria too. Its normal for them to slow down.

 

[exhumed07]

one thing i will do is clean the bearings. the little posts on the bio wheel itself and the slots that they go into. don't clean the wheel itself, just the plastic ends. i find gunk tends to build up on them and that will slow down or stop the wheels from spinning.