Biowheel

[Ellen4God]

I just noticed tonight that the wheel on my biowheel filter is not spinning anymore. I've been redoing my tank tonight - but I didn't think that would affect it any. The filter didn't dry up - I kept the water level high enough to keep it running. I've tried taking it out to see if it needs cleaning, but it doesn't look like this is the case. The water flow is going around it - it just isn't turning. Any ideas?

[ILuvMyGoldBarb]

Check the 2 "sockets" it sits in on either end. Take a Q-tip and clean those out and also clean off the 2 nubs at the end. That could get things back to normal.

[Ellen4God]

Check the 2 "sockets" it sits in on either end. Take a Q-tip and clean those out and also clean off the 2 nubs at the end. That could get things back to normal.

Did that. It spun for a brief second, but quit right away again.

[smaug]

When that happens to mine,I spin it like crazy by hand a few times for a few times a day,they seem to get out of balance occasionally that seems to help.Also do as ilmgb recomends and clean the axles..

[Ellen4God]

Alrighty. Just tried that out as well. It didn't help too much. It's almost as if there isn't enough water movement for the wheel to spin. I put a piece of hose over the intake to protect my Cherry Shrimp - could this be limiting the water flow, thus causing the wheel not to spin? If so, what do I do? lol

[smaug]

that could do it,the hose I mean.I used to use the netting that oranges and onions come in to cover the intake.

[Ellen4God]

Is it going to hurt anything to have it not spinning right now?

Well, I reckon the bacteria will die on the part of the wheel that doesn't have water touching it, eh? Hmm...Not sure what to do. I don't have anything else to cover the intake right now. I don't want to take the cover off because I have shrimp everywhere. lol

[Ellen4God]

Well, I uncovered the intake part of the filter just a VERY VERY tiny bit. This has helped extremely. The wheel if finally moving again. I also rinsed out the filter media in the back (carbon thing that I took the carbon out of lol). I think that helped a great deal as well.

I noticed that I still have the gravel I got from the lfs in pantyhose in the filter (it's been there since oooh...January, maybe?). lol I'd completely forgotten about that. I reckon it isn't hurting anything though. It wasn't obstructing the wheel's way or anything. I reckon it'll stay longer.

[smaug]

Well, I uncovered the intake part of the filter just a VERY VERY tiny bit. This has helped extremely. The wheel if finally moving again. I also rinsed out the filter media in the back (carbon thing that I took the carbon out of lol). I think that helped a great deal as well.

I noticed that I still have the gravel I got from the lfs in pantyhose in the filter (it's been there since oooh...January, maybe?). lol I'd completely forgotten about that. I reckon it isn't hurting anything though. It wasn't obstructing the wheel's way or anything. I reckon it'll stay longer.
leave it in there,Im sure its quite a little ball of bacteria,should be good stuff.

[A340]

I've never had a biowheel before, but this problem of the wheel sticking seems to be a fairly common one. One hears it quite often here and in pet stores. Wouldn't a bit of lubrication help? Or is that not possible? Like I said, I've never had one. Just curious.

[Ellen4God]

I'm not sure, but it has stopped yet again. I think I may just order the canister filter I've been looking into getting.

[sailor]

I have heard of a lot of people having problems with those bio wheels, thats why I stayed away from them. Get yourself a good cannister filter.