Member

Posts: 158
From:Marysville, CA
Registered: Nov 2003

posted 03-12-2004 03:21 PM         

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Hello everybody! My bio-wheel hasn't spun in two weeks. What's up? It will spin when I manually make it spin with my hands but then it just stops again. When I've taken the filter cartridge out the wheel spins just like it used to. However, when the cartridge goes back in the wheel stops again. The cartridge is the correct size and is placed in the filter as far down as it can go. Thanks for any suggestions!

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Member

Posts: 41
From:petaluma, ca, u.s.a.
Registered: Jan 2004

posted 03-12-2004 03:48 PM         

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My only thought would be that the cartidge needs to be replaced. Is it dirty? Maybe it is and it is restricting the water flow from making the bio wheel spin.Other than that I don't know...sorry!!!

[This message has been edited by Alen (edited 03-12-2004).]

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Member

Posts: 158
From:Marysville, CA
Registered: Nov 2003

posted 03-12-2004 04:01 PM         

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I appreciate the thought and reply but no, the cartridge wasn't dirty when this began. It was actually brand new. I just finished cleaning my tank and it did a half turn before stopping when I put the cover back on.

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Member

Posts: 104
From:Austin, TX
Registered: Jan 2004

posted 03-12-2004 05:12 PM         

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How old is your filter housing? Is it a HOB filter. Who is the manufacturer. Maybe the impeller is wearing out (or broken) and not moving as much water as it used to. The impeller or other internal plumbing could be clogged with algae or other detrius that restricts the flow. When was the last time you cleaned your impeller assembly? The fact that the bio-wheel spins without the filter element in place indicates that the bio-wheel is OK. Many filter manufacturers offer replacement impellers so I have to believe they will need replacemant at some point. Do you know how to check your impeller?

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Member

Posts: 158
From:Marysville, CA
Registered: Nov 2003

posted 03-12-2004 10:54 PM         

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I honestly don't know what the impeller is. It is a penguin 125 hob filter and I've had it about 9 months. When I clean my tank I do the following to the filter:

1. Take cartridge out and spray it mostly clean (gotta save some $)
2. Remove the intake "hose" and clean it out.
3. Take out the gray piece and remove what I've alway called the motor. Which is a small propeller like piece on the end of the gray piece (could this be the impeller?) I clean both of these pieces and then put it all back together. I do this at least once every two weeks.

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Member

Posts: 41
From:petaluma, ca, u.s.a.
Registered: Jan 2004

posted 03-13-2004 08:18 AM         

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Well you know what the impeller is, and it sounds like you keep it pretty clean. I'm just starting a new 45 gal tank and I have a penguin 330. I hope it works now.....

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Member

Posts: 104
From:Austin, TX
Registered: Jan 2004

posted 03-13-2004 10:51 AM         

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The "small propeller piece" you mentioned is the impeller The gray piece you described sits inside a magnetic housing and spins the impeller when electricity is applied. Sounds like the only thing left to try is to take the whole filter housing off your tank, hold it upside down over a sink and spray out the impeller housing. Put your bio-wheel in a small bowl of tank water to preserve the bacteria while doing this.

good luck

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Member

Posts: 158
From:Marysville, CA
Registered: Nov 2003

posted 03-13-2004 10:56 AM         

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thank you, I will try that!

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