Bio-Wheel doesn't turn?

[Angrie.Woman]

Has anybody else ever had this? I bought this Penguin thing to replace my
under-gravel filter, but I'll be darned if I can keep the wheel turning. No,
it isn't just *really* slow - it just doesn't move. It's almost as if the
water isn't moving through quite fast enough.

I'm ready to scrap this whole thing and just go with a canister filter
instead....

Also, even without the Bio-wheel issue, I'm not thrilled with the amount of
water that seems to be circulating with the Penguin system. I guess I'm just
used to seeing more action. Today, I saw a submersible heater that doubles
as a powerhead. Since my undergravel filter is still there, just not
circulating, what do you think? Any advice for or against this thing? It's a
bit pricier than the type of heater that just hang over the side...

http://petsolutions.com/product.asp_Q_pn_E_41400022_A_EKIP+Thermopump_E_

is the link to the product. I need a new heater anyway...

Is it possible to have too much filtration? I don't have plants, just a few
fishies that have been around a few years now, despite occasional periods of
neglect and a crappy undergravel filter.

TIA!
Angie
--
I solemnly swear that I am up to no good.

[Billy]

Inter-thingied

"Angrie.Woman" > wrote in message
...
| Has anybody else ever had this? I bought this Penguin thing to
replace my
| under-gravel filter, but I'll be darned if I can keep the wheel
turning. No,
| it isn't just *really* slow - it just doesn't move. It's almost as
if the
| water isn't moving through quite fast enough.

Be sure the wheel is seated properly. Try aiming the spray bar (if so
equipped) at different spots on the wheel. Check the "axles" to be
sure there are no bits of plastic left over from the manufacturing
process. Check the place where they sit as well. Also be sure the
impeller is seated properly, and all other parts fitted correctly. If
your unit has adjustable water flow (small ones have you raise\lower
the 'U' tube, larger BW units have you raise\lower a lever) check to
see if the water flow is throttled back too far.
I have had good luck with Penguins, if after all this it still
will not work, I'm going to hazard that you got a lemon, and should
return it for exchange.

|
| I'm ready to scrap this whole thing and just go with a canister
filter
| instead....

I really like canister filters. The maintenance is marginally more
involved than a PF like the penguin, but they're great.

.. Today, I saw a submersible heater that doubles
| as a powerhead. Since my undergravel filter is still there, just
not
| circulating, what do you think? Any advice for or against this
thing? It's a

Clever. That's a new one on me. I might grab one and try it out.
However, I have issue with two major pieces of equipment tied
together. If my needs change, I can't change the water circulation or
the heater, I have to change both. Hmm.


| Is it possible to have too much filtration?

The guy that introduced me to serious aquaria once provided me with
this beautiful gem of wisdom;

"You don't have enough filtration until the filter output is pinning
the fish up against the glass."

While this is an obvious exaggeration, I don't see any disadvantage
to filtering over the minimum necessary in most application.

billy

[humBill]

I have 2 - 330's and a 170. Several people in another group have many more
than that. At least with this small sample they seem to be excellent
ecspecially for the price. Not spinning is the number one problem. If the
water is falling down the area where the input is, the flow is being
restricted and is indequate to turn the wheel. This is most often means you
filter mat and/or media in the little baskets are clogged and not letting
enough water flow through to turn the wheel. On the 330's I have even found
occasionally that putting a new filter mat in one side, will provide a much
greater path of least resistence on that side so enough water is not going
through the other. Here the solution is to gently clean the dirty side in
some tank water. If significant water is not coming down the middle you
just don't have the water flow. One of the filters is 'adjustable' and
making sure the inflow tube is pushed all the way down will be insure
maximum flow. Cleaning out the inflow tube, the area where the impellar is,
and the little plastic bearings on either side of the bio wheel are other
areas to check. I had one instance where I found a break in the pleats
nearest the bio wheel's center. This was apparently making it off balance,
and a replacement wheel was the solution.
As far as the flow I don't have your experience with the UGF to comment on
the water circulation. I don't believe there is such thing as too much
filtering unless the agitation in the tank is so great they always look like
the fish in the store, constantly swimming 'up stream'. The redundant
systems would just be insurance although the price on this 2-1 seems a bit
high to this cheap skate. HTH
Bill

"Angrie.Woman" > wrote in message
...
> Has anybody else ever had this? I bought this Penguin thing to replace my
> under-gravel filter, but I'll be darned if I can keep the wheel turning.
> No,
> it isn't just *really* slow - it just doesn't move. It's almost as if the
> water isn't moving through quite fast enough.
>
> I'm ready to scrap this whole thing and just go with a canister filter
> instead....
>
> Also, even without the Bio-wheel issue, I'm not thrilled with the amount
> of
> water that seems to be circulating with the Penguin system. I guess I'm
> just
> used to seeing more action. Today, I saw a submersible heater that doubles
> as a powerhead. Since my undergravel filter is still there, just not
> circulating, what do you think? Any advice for or against this thing? It's
> a
> bit pricier than the type of heater that just hang over the side...
>
> http://petsolutions.com/product.asp_Q_pn_E_41400022_A_EKIP+Thermopump_E_
>
> is the link to the product. I need a new heater anyway...
>
> Is it possible to have too much filtration? I don't have plants, just a
> few
> fishies that have been around a few years now, despite occasional periods
> of
> neglect and a crappy undergravel filter.
>
> TIA!
> Angie
> --
> I solemnly swear that I am up to no good.
>
>

[Ook]

I see two symptoms here -

1) Wheel isn't turning
2) Not enough flow.

The two are related. Something is blocking the flow of water in your filter.
That is why your wheel isn't turning, and why you don't see enough water
circulation. Normally, the wheel spins quite happily, in fact mine whiz
right along. Water flow is superb from all of my Penguins.

Don't despair - find out why your filter isn't pushing water and fix it, and
you will love your Penguins. I'll never go back to UGF!

"Angrie.Woman" > wrote in message
...
> Has anybody else ever had this? I bought this Penguin thing to replace my
> under-gravel filter, but I'll be darned if I can keep the wheel turning.
> No,
> it isn't just *really* slow - it just doesn't move. It's almost as if the
> water isn't moving through quite fast enough.
>
> I'm ready to scrap this whole thing and just go with a canister filter
> instead....
>
> Also, even without the Bio-wheel issue, I'm not thrilled with the amount
> of
> water that seems to be circulating with the Penguin system. I guess I'm
> just
> used to seeing more action. Today, I saw a submersible heater that doubles
> as a powerhead. Since my undergravel filter is still there, just not
> circulating, what do you think? Any advice for or against this thing? It's
> a
> bit pricier than the type of heater that just hang over the side...
>
> http://petsolutions.com/product.asp_Q_pn_E_41400022_A_EKIP+Thermopump_E_
>
> is the link to the product. I need a new heater anyway...
>
> Is it possible to have too much filtration? I don't have plants, just a
> few
> fishies that have been around a few years now, despite occasional periods
> of
> neglect and a crappy undergravel filter.
>
> TIA!
> Angie
> --
> I solemnly swear that I am up to no good.
>
>

[JG]

I haven't owned a Penguin filter that long, however, my guess would be that
the filter media is clogged. Do you have a pre-filter on the intake, i.e.,
a sponge over the intake tube opening to prevent large "chunks of gunk" from
getting inside? I find this to be the best option with power filters,
including the Penguin. You can then remove the pre-filter sponge and clean
it in a bucket of tank water and then fix it to the intake again. Prevents
weekly filter maintenance, plus you have additional biological on the
pre-filter sponge, etc. PLUS, it keeps the wheel moving. I own a Penguin
170 and my "wheels are turning".
"Angrie.Woman" > wrote in message
...
> Has anybody else ever had this? I bought this Penguin thing to replace my
> under-gravel filter, but I'll be darned if I can keep the wheel turning.
No,
> it isn't just *really* slow - it just doesn't move. It's almost as if the
> water isn't moving through quite fast enough.
>
> I'm ready to scrap this whole thing and just go with a canister filter
> instead....
>
> Also, even without the Bio-wheel issue, I'm not thrilled with the amount
of
> water that seems to be circulating with the Penguin system. I guess I'm
just
> used to seeing more action. Today, I saw a submersible heater that doubles
> as a powerhead. Since my undergravel filter is still there, just not
> circulating, what do you think? Any advice for or against this thing? It's
a
> bit pricier than the type of heater that just hang over the side...
>
> http://petsolutions.com/product.asp_Q_pn_E_41400022_A_EKIP+Thermopump_E_
>
> is the link to the product. I need a new heater anyway...
>
> Is it possible to have too much filtration? I don't have plants, just a
few
> fishies that have been around a few years now, despite occasional periods
of
> neglect and a crappy undergravel filter.
>
> TIA!
> Angie
> --
> I solemnly swear that I am up to no good.
>
>

[Tom Randy]

On Sun, 30 Jan 2005 01:21:35 +0000, Angrie.Woman wrote:

> Has anybody else ever had this? I bought this Penguin thing to replace my
> under-gravel filter, but I'll be darned if I can keep the wheel turning. No,
> it isn't just *really* slow - it just doesn't move. It's almost as if the
> water isn't moving through quite fast enough.
>
> I'm ready to scrap this whole thing and just go with a canister filter
> instead....
>
> Also, even without the Bio-wheel issue, I'm not thrilled with the amount of
> water that seems to be circulating with the Penguin system. I guess I'm just
> used to seeing more action. Today, I saw a submersible heater that doubles
> as a powerhead. Since my undergravel filter is still there, just not
> circulating, what do you think? Any advice for or against this thing? It's a
> bit pricier than the type of heater that just hang over the side...
>
> http://petsolutions.com/product.asp_Q_pn_E_41400022_A_EKIP+Thermopump_E_
>
> is the link to the product. I need a new heater anyway...
>
> Is it possible to have too much filtration? I don't have plants, just a few
> fishies that have been around a few years now, despite occasional periods of
> neglect and a crappy undergravel filter.
>
> TIA!
> Angie


Penguins work fine, I have a mini on a 10 gal. Is the cartridge clogged?
How long has it been since you cleaned the intake tube *inside*? When I
notice water backflowing into the intake chamber I change out the
cartridge. I took apart the original and use blue/white filter material
around it instead. Held in place with a couple of rubber bands. Works
great.

I'm going to start up a 20 gallon high soon using and Aquaclear 30, these
seem and sound like great filters...

Tom

[Dick]

On Sun, 30 Jan 2005 01:21:35 GMT, "Angrie.Woman"
> wrote:

>Has anybody else ever had this? I bought this Penguin thing to replace my
>under-gravel filter, but I'll be darned if I can keep the wheel turning. No,
>it isn't just *really* slow - it just doesn't move. It's almost as if the
>water isn't moving through quite fast enough.
>
>I'm ready to scrap this whole thing and just go with a canister filter
>instead....
>
>Also, even without the Bio-wheel issue, I'm not thrilled with the amount of
>water that seems to be circulating with the Penguin system. I guess I'm just
>used to seeing more action. Today, I saw a submersible heater that doubles
>as a powerhead. Since my undergravel filter is still there, just not
>circulating, what do you think? Any advice for or against this thing? It's a
>bit pricier than the type of heater that just hang over the side...
>
>http://petsolutions.com/product.asp_Q_pn_E_41400022_A_EKIP+Thermopump_E_
>
>is the link to the product. I need a new heater anyway...
>
>Is it possible to have too much filtration? I don't have plants, just a few
>fishies that have been around a few years now, despite occasional periods of
>neglect and a crappy undergravel filter.
>
>TIA!
>Angie


I have two Penguin 330s. I fussed with the wheels almost daily. I
finally quit worrying. I realized that none of my other tanks had bio
wheels and they are doing fine. So, the big wheels are no longer
turning, and I just let them be. I suppose I might as well just pull
them out. Apparently the tank water quality doesn't gain all that
much from the wheels.

A while ago, I did get some finer filter material to reduce the size
of the particles returning to the tanks. Not only is the water
clearer, but I believe it is easier for the bacteria to process the
smaller particles. This is all on the assumption that the power
filters are not removing a darn thing, just holding the stuff until
erosion reduces the particle size and allows the smaller particles to
return to the tank. I quit using charcoal over 6 months ago.

Less work for me and the fish are doing fine.

One thing else, I firmly believe that for my procedure to work, there
must be regular water changes. I do 20% twice weekly.

dick

[Ook]

> Penguins work fine, I have a mini on a 10 gal. Is the cartridge clogged?
> How long has it been since you cleaned the intake tube *inside*? When I
> notice water backflowing into the intake chamber I change out the
> cartridge. I took apart the original and use blue/white filter material
> around it instead. Held in place with a couple of rubber bands. Works
> great.
>
> I'm going to start up a 20 gallon high soon using and Aquaclear 30, these
> seem and sound like great filters...
>
> Tom
>

I didn't have any B filters and had to change out my 150. So I took a topfin
filter bag and charcoal, cut off the blue cover from the Penguin filter,
cleaned it, poured the charcoal on it an dput in in the topfin filter bag.
Fits perfectly, costs tons less.

FWIW, I usually let my filters run until the flow is so poor through the
filter that the water flows over the top or back out the inlet.

[Billy]

"Ook" > wrote in message
...


| FWIW, I usually let my filters run until the flow is so poor
through the
| filter that the water flows over the top or back out the inlet.
|
|
Same here. Unless water flow is restricted to the point that the
filter isn't working, I'd just as soon not mess with all that good
goop full of nitrifying bacteria. <g>

[Angrie.Woman]

"Angrie.Woman" > wrote in message
...
> Has anybody else ever had this? I bought this Penguin thing to replace my
> under-gravel filter, but I'll be darned if I can keep the wheel turning.
No,
> it isn't just *really* slow - it just doesn't move. It's almost as if the
> water isn't moving through quite fast enough.
>


Just to let you know, two things I read here fixed this: "Back-Flow" and
"Filter". I did have a significant backflow. Adjusting the tube didn't help.
My filter was new. But I cut a slit in the top and took out all the
charcoal, and viola!

My fish tank you!

A

[Angrie.Woman]

"David C. Stone" > wrote in message
...
> I have to admit I wonder how effective the biowheels really are, but
> my only prior experience is with an AquaClear 150 in a 10 gallon tank
> - a whole different kettle of fish, to coin a phrase!!
>

My husband is a grocery/seafood guy. He has been in the business for...well,
lets just say *lots* of years. He says the biowheel is the best thing that
ever happened to the lobster tanks.

Not that he would look at mine. :)

A

[Dick]

On Mon, 31 Jan 2005 16:31:24 GMT, "Angrie.Woman"
> wrote:

>
>"Angrie.Woman" > wrote in message
...
>> Has anybody else ever had this? I bought this Penguin thing to replace my
>> under-gravel filter, but I'll be darned if I can keep the wheel turning.
>No,
>> it isn't just *really* slow - it just doesn't move. It's almost as if the
>> water isn't moving through quite fast enough.
>>
>
>
>Just to let you know, two things I read here fixed this: "Back-Flow" and
>"Filter". I did have a significant backflow. Adjusting the tube didn't help.
>My filter was new. But I cut a slit in the top and took out all the
>charcoal, and viola!
>
>My fish tank you!
>
>A
>

The backflow problem related to the charcoal was part of my reasoning
to stop using charcoal. I noticed that no matter how much I cleaned
the Penguin filter packs, there would still be a backflow. So I cut
an opening and removed the charcoal. As you said, "viola" no
backflow.

I have not added a sheet of fine filter material which causes a back
flow, but I no longer take it as a symptom. The finer particles no
longer float in the water. I conclude that amount of flow is not
equivalent to efficiency. The tanks look so much more vivid with out
the floating particles. I don't equate this with tank health, just
esthetics.

dick