Ok, so I've heard how great the BioWheel filters are supposed to be. :angry: So, I went and got one for my 10 gallon. An the wheel doesn't move AT ALL. Unless I move it myself. My concern is that I'm planning on getting a larger tank in the next month or two and I'm wondering if I should get another Biowheel for that one or go back to the the other kind?

Also, what about an under gravel filter? My how easy to maintain and how costly are they? Most importantly... how noisy are they? It took a long time to get used to the splashing of the biowheel. Opinions welcomed!

If your bio-wheel isn't moving, make sure you have the water flow up enough so there's water pushing it. If it has spray bars, make sure they're hitting the wheel. Sometimes they're touchy!

Undergravel filters arne't the best for goldie tanks because they trap the poop and let it rot under them. Most of us don't use them because of this.

If you get a bigger tank, just make sure whatever filter you run filters the water at least 10X per hour. If you get a 40 gallon (for example) an Emperor 400 would be good.

Hi,
It could be that the bio wheel isn't properly positioned--fiddle around with it and like Erika says, make sure the water level is up--fill the filter container manually if you have to. Make sure that both the impeller and intake tube are properly positioned.

If it still doesn't work--take it back and exchange it for another one. I have two Penquin bio-wheels and they work fine--sometimes I have had to fiddle with them a bit but no other problems.

Yep, a new bio wheel should turn if the water flow is adjusted right. What model do you have?

Robin

I have found that sometimes the biowheel does not wet properly the first time. If the water goes under it, it wets just the bottome of the wheel. Because that part is now wet and heavy, the water does not have enough power to turn the wheel to wet the top of it. So it sits stationary.

Try taking the wheel out of its slots in the filter and drop it into the tank for a half hour. Let it get really good and soaked through and through. Then put it back on the filter housing and fiddle with the water flow.

Thanks for the reassurance. I'll give the soaking a try. It sems to only workk when I first change the filter. I even take out the intake and clean that so that it can suck up as much as it can but... after a 1/2 a day. It no longer moves. If the saoking doesn't work, I'll call the company and make 'em send me a new one!

If it's an Emperor than it's normal for the bio wheel not to move, As long as it's getting wet