bio_filter question...

[lunasmile]

i have a filter with the biowheel, and i noticed that it is very dirty and it not rotating too good anymore, should i clean it or get a new filter?

[Jim Powers]

Neither. That is normal. Your biowheel should look dirty and slow down as it builds up a good bacterial colony. You should never have to get a new biowheel unless it is damaged.

[TammyLiz]

If it periodically stops rotating and jams completely up, try cleaning the little plastic pieces that it rests on. Those can get grimy and prevent the wheel from turning well. Also, make sure you rinse your filter pads regularly and replace them periodically. I don't use carbon in my tank and just replace the floss. If there isn't enough water flow through the filter pad, it will slow or stop the biowheel from turning. HTH.

[Martin Thoene]

Yes. Their efficiency is based on friction in the spindles, their weight buildup caused by bacterial growth, plus the water flow speed. One or two of these factors combined will stop them rotating.

Martin.

[lunasmile]

thanks, how often should I change the filter cartrige, I have a penguin 200. thanks for all the info.

[Jim Powers]

I change mine once a month.

[qumqats]

thanks, how often should I change the filter cartrige, I have a penguin 200. thanks for all the info.

i change mine every couple of months, when ever the floss starts falling apart! But I also remove the filter/floss and give it a good squirt under a hose a couple of times a week! It goes from brown with algee to blue as new. I've also found that stuff grows in the charcoal and that you need to give the filter a GOOD shake to loosen things up followed by a rinse.

As far as the speed the wheel turns it doesn't matter how fast as long as it is turning. The worst thing that could happen is for it to stop and dry out.