My biowheel doesn't turn anymore. I have cleaned my filter out, including brushing out all the tubing, removing the motor and cleaning everything out, so i know there is nothing stuck in there. OH, it's a penguin mini. It has been running since August, however, the biowheel itself was from an established tank that had been running for a couple of years. I have checked everything I can think of, it does spin freely if you push it. If you move it, it turns and then stops at what I assume is the same spot, and then just stays there. I have tried taking out the cartridge to see if that helps, and it doesn't.

Is there some point at which you need to get a new biowheel? Anything else I should check?

Laura

You shouldn't have to replace the biowheel.

This might sound incredibly obvious, but have you cleaned the little pegs that hold the biowheel in place and the slots which they sit in?

Also, are you sure it doesn't spin at all on its own? Mine slow down once they're heavily cultured, but they still move in spurts.

Well, I haven't sat and watched it for LONG periods of time, maybe this weekend I will try it. Thought about putting a mark on it or something so I could tell if it was moving. I guess it could be moving very, very slowly. Will check the pegs though. As long as the whole thing is damp, the good bacteria will still live, right?

I will be getting my new 55 gallon soon anyhow, and have an Emporer II for that, this one is going to be my Q tank, so if I need to replace something, it shouldn't be too much of a problem.

I already HAVE a 55 gallon (with hood and canopy), but it leaks, and I can't seem to get it sealed right, and really don't want it to leak once it's set up, so I decided to just buy a new one during christmas break. I can't wait! The $99 for the new tank is worth it to me for the piece of mind of not worrying about it leaking, especially since I already have a stand and all the other stuff for it. So if anyone wants an old 55 gallon, that needs resealing, and lives near CT, come and get it!

Laura

The biowheel should have little blue bearings that cover the white pegs. If
these are missing that will cause the biowheel to stop revolving. You can get
replacements at drsfostersmith.com. Here's the link to the page with the parts.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod...2013+2147013787

Yep, as long as it's moist and has access to air the biomedia will be alright for quite awhile.

If the pegs are missing from the biowheel you should have some replacement pegs stuck on the underside of your filter cover.

Marineland has changed that policy. They no longer include extra bearings.
My LFS said they were included, but checked their new ones and got a surprise.

Ah well I haven't bought a Penguin for about 3 years. Are you sure it's Marineland policy and they weren't just missing from that particular filter? I've gotten things from some fish stores with parts missing.

Yuppers. I've purchased 7-8 filters and none of them have those anymore.
Anything purchased before the beginning of 2003 I believe should have them?

Hmm... I wonder why they changed that. What the heck they expect you to do if you lose an endcap then - buy another biowheel just for the endcaps?

starsmom, if the bio-wheel in question is at least 2 years old, could it just be gunked up and too heavy to rotate? Mine did that a while back. I sort of rinsed and brushed it loosely in old tank water and back in it went. Works fine now. I've also had calcium deposits collect on there. Again, brushing it gently seems to do the trick.

Happy-the bearings are sold seperate from the biowheels. Gotta get more
money whichever way they can ya know... :angry:

Thanks for the advice everyone! I rinsed the filter out in some tank water, and that seems to have helped. It is now turning freely again!

Glad to have the info on the bearings though, in case I need it.

Thanks again!

Laura