Bio Wheel Question

I have an old Penguin 300 with two bio wheels (used). Been stored in garage
several months, completely dry, look clean.

Should I replace the bio wheels before putting this filter to use?

TIA

srb

I dont see any need to replace them unless it would make you feel
better : )

I would rinse them well in tap water just to wash off any loose matter.

JOhn


"bettasngoldfish" wrote in message
oups.com...
I dont see any need to replace them unless it would make you feel
better : )

In article .net,
says...
I have an old Penguin 300 with two bio wheels (used). Been stored in garage
several months, completely dry, look clean.

Should I replace the bio wheels before putting this filter to use?

TIA

srb




I would disenfect them with a 10% bleach solution for a minute or two
then rinse them in water that has dechlorinizer in it.

--
Jim Anderson
( 8(|) To email me just pull my_finger

On Tue, 26 Apr 2005 01:34:32 GMT, "SRB"
wrote:

I have an old Penguin 300 with two bio wheels (used). Been stored in garage
several months, completely dry, look clean.

Should I replace the bio wheels before putting this filter to use?

TIA

srb


I have removed my bio wheels. They are more a nuisance than a benefit
in my experience. They turn slower and slower until they quit
rotating. To restore the rotation the whole filter must be cleaned
including the impeller. I removed the wheels about 6 months ago and
replaced the standard cartridge media with a less porous media. It
slows the water flow from the Penguins (I have 2 on my 75 gal) and the
media needs to be cleaned/replaced more often, but the water is very
clean. I also have taken the charcoal out. I found I could never
clean the cartridges enough to get a good flow with the charcoal
inside. The charcoal just would not clean and was so old that it
probably had no value, again, no negative impact.

I now clean or replace the micro filter media with the Penguins still
running. When I pull the cartridge, there is some solid debris, but
it doesn't take long to have the cartridge back in and an hour later
the water is clear again.

I keep looking for ways to simplify maintenance.

dick

If you want the penguins to be more reliable try getting emperor or bio
wheel pro 60's for biological filtration - they are much more reliable
(spraybar). I've never had a problem with the spraybar types and it's
been a year, works like new except for cleaning once a month. I
attribute the spraybar type biowheels with my fish success. My biowheel
pro 60 even cycled my turtle tank (55 gallon tank filled with
approximately 15 gallons worth of water (approximately 5 inches deep))
with it just having turtles and I was able to add a ton of fish to that
shallow water without even 1 lost fish at the very least so far. It is
cool you are having success regardless though, but I am so sold on the
spraybar biowheels - to me they're the best biological filtration there
is. Later!

Thanks, all, for the feedback. I dusted them off, rinsed them off, and used
them. They're temporary; I've a canister to install this weekend, just
needed something for immediate use.

If only life didn't get in the way of fish-keeping!

srb

On Wed, 27 Apr 2005 05:31:55 GMT, "SRB"
wrote:

Thanks, all, for the feedback. I dusted them off, rinsed them off, and used
them. They're temporary; I've a canister to install this weekend, just
needed something for immediate use.

If only life didn't get in the way of fish-keeping!

srb

When I got my first tank 2 1/2 years ago, I never gave my life span a
thought, never thought my fish might outlive me. Now I wonder, as I
learn more of fish life spans, it is clear some may well out live me.
I live alone, so I think of how to alert someone, if I have a chance.

I am twisting your observation, "If only life didn't get in the
way....". Lack of life is also an impediment.

I now plan to shut down tanks as my fish numbers reduce. That is
going to be hard. I do love looking at my various creations!

dick

Hi Dick, are you saying you have a health related issue? If you are you have
my most sincere support. I like reading your posts and I would miss you if
you left in some way. Sincerely, Dan.
"Dick" wrote in message
news
On Wed, 27 Apr 2005 05:31:55 GMT, "SRB"
wrote:

Thanks, all, for the feedback. I dusted them off, rinsed them off, and
used
them. They're temporary; I've a canister to install this weekend, just
needed something for immediate use.

If only life didn't get in the way of fish-keeping!

srb

When I got my first tank 2 1/2 years ago, I never gave my life span a
thought, never thought my fish might outlive me. Now I wonder, as I
learn more of fish life spans, it is clear some may well out live me.
I live alone, so I think of how to alert someone, if I have a chance.

I am twisting your observation, "If only life didn't get in the
way....". Lack of life is also an impediment.

I now plan to shut down tanks as my fish numbers reduce. That is
going to be hard. I do love looking at my various creations!

dick

On Tue, 10 May 2005 12:49:47 -0700, "Daniel Morrow"
wrote:

Hi Dick, are you saying you have a health related issue? If you are you have
my most sincere support. I like reading your posts and I would miss you if
you left in some way. Sincerely, Dan.

Thanks for the pat on the back Dan. I enjoy reading as well as
writing.

I can't relate the subject "Bio Wheel Question" with "health related
issue." I have responded with some experiences my fish have given me
over the last 2 1/2 years. I have commented that I find the bio wheel
more trouble than it is worth and have removed the four on my 75
gallon tank. I have also mentioned a terrible death of several fish
due to my drove my 75 gallon tank acidic while adjusting the pH which
has led to my no longer trying to use chemicals to adjust the water,
including not removing chlorine. Otherwise, the deaths have been
spread over the years and involve one fish in one tank at a time.

Right now, in the 75 gallon tank I have one of the first fish I put in
it, that appears to be dying. It is a Serpae Tetra. I have 2 other
Serpaes in the same tank that are fine, and 5 others in a 29 gallon
tank that are fine, so I think this little fellow has bad genes. He
still is energetic. I have tried twice to net it to move to the
hospital tank, but it kept well away from the net and reached cover in
the plant growth. I hate chasing a fish as it disturbs the whole tank
and I won't chase into the plant growth, so the Serpae continues his
slow demise in the only home it has known for over 2 years.

I don't know what you had in mind, but you sure got a spoonful of so
one more day I remain.

dick