I just set up my new tank with two Emperor 280's and I have noticed that even after messing with the spray bar repeatedly, the Bio-wheels does not turn constantly, it turns in little spurts. Like turn, stop, turn, stop. The stops are VERY short, but I was just wondering if they were supposed to turn at a constant rate.

I am guessing this is probably normal since it is not a mechanical thing, it just turns as the water hits it? Sorry, this is my first Bio-wheel filter!

Thank you!

And another question...I am adding crushed coral to one of the media baskets to help w/ my kh issues. Is it ok if I use some filter floss to keep it in and then stick it in the media basket? The holes are big enough in the basket that the small pieces will leak out, so I was thinking to put it into a Whisper Bio-bag first, then in the basket. That won't hurt anything will it?

I should add that one of the filters wheels is turning pretty steadily but the other one is not...I will keep messing with it but any suggestions are appreciated. I did read the manual from cover to cover!

Don't worry about a bio-wheel that rotates slowly or irregularly, as long as it's rotating at any speed... It's doing it's job.

Putting crushed coral in a Whisper bio-bag and then in the media basket will work just fine.

Thanks guys!

The Bio-wheel actually stopped several times entirely, which I know is not good, so I watched it carefully and then took a tiny piece of masking tape and wrapped it around the little peg that sticks out and holds the Bio-wheel in place and that was enough to even it out or whatever and it is now turning fine. I know tape is not recommended in aquariums, but the water doesn't really touch it anyway and it is a tiny piece, so that should be ok, right? The Bio-wheel itself is not the problem because I swapped them and both of them turn fine in the one filter.

Devs showed me that Big Al's has the extensions for the intake tubes for a lot cheaper than Marineland themselves so I will be ordering those and not have to mess with getting tubing to fit properly (Emperor's have a rectangular intake tube). So that will be fixed shortly.

The coral seems to be fine, although I broke the little clip on the media basket trying to cram it in there. The basket is still workable, you just have to be careful that it does not come apart when you pull it out. I could grab another one when I order the extension tubes anyway, if they aren't too expensive.

Thanks again Bak2it! This forum is so great.

Is it a brand new filter? Could be a problem with the little bearing. Make sure it's really clean and smooth inside. If the tape is working, I say go ahead and use it.

They should be turning perpetually. Try tilting the entire filter forwards or backwards to change the flow of water hitting the wheel. That might also help with problems with splashing and babbling noises if you're having those like I did.

Thanks guys...I have not given up getting it to work yet! The tape worked for a biy but them started coming off and my fish would totally eat it if it fell in the tank, so i am going to try messing with positioning some more.

It isn;t a new filter, just new to me, I bought it used. I know the wheel itself is ok because if I put the wheel into the other filter it runs fine and then the other one quits working. I will definitely try tipping and tilting and such.

Thank you!

I still say check that little bearing, too. Good luck with it! Let us know how everything goes!

I wrapped a different kind of tape around one of the little things that stick out of the Bio-wheel on one side and so far it is turning great, it has been about 4 hours. So hopefully that will do it! This tape should not come off, it is a special kimd I use on my daughter's feeding tube. Cross your fingers for me and thanks for the help! :-)

I found out that I am missing a little piece and that is the problem! There are little slots where you set the Bio-wheel into and there are these little removable plastic pieces that go in there and in the filter in question one of them is missing, making it be uneven. The tape is working pretty well, but I will see if I can get that piece-maybe I could see if I could get it out of one of the "non-working display models" at one of the chain stores.

EDIT: That's what you guys meant by checking the bearings! Well, one of them is missing! I though all of you were talking about the little sticks that are attached to the Bio-wheel itself. *feels dumb*