Biowheel

[fishycanuck]

I have a Penguin biowheel filter, a few years old. The biowheel no longer turns (unless I spin it). Is this a problem?

[beowulf]

If one side is drying out then yes as what bacteria that might be there would die.

[darkdep]

It'll still work, just at a lower capacity.

[fishycanuck]

I guess after two years (ish), I should just haul off and get a new one. Thanks!

[babblefish1960]

The manual in the biowheel booklet will even tell you that if it does not turn, there is not a problem, as the wheel is still functioning so long as you have water passing through the spray bar. It does not need to turn, and it does not lose its effectiveness, and it does not need to be replaced or cleaned. Just ensure that the spray bar inside is still functioning normally, and ignore the rest, the wheel is still working if it does not revolve.

[beowulf]

The manual in the biowheel booklet will even tell you that if it does not turn, there is not a problem, as the wheel is still functioning so long as you have water passing through the spray bar. It does not need to turn, and it does not lose its effectiveness, and it does not need to be replaced or cleaned. Just ensure that the spray bar inside is still functioning normally, and ignore the rest, the wheel is still working if it does not revolve.

As I said as long as it remain wet things can still live in it.  But if it dried out, ie bar is not wetting it enough then they will die.

[normc]

Mine stopped working. I checked it carefully and found if I turned the filter media around it started to work again. Th fuzzy stuff was touching the wheel 

[kennyman]

Either the bushings and/or shaft are done, or the volume coming out of the shoot is not enough. The Wheel itself should still be ok.

Is the flow restricted or diminished?

Have you cleaned the plastic bushings?

I was under the impression that penguin did not have spraybars as that was the upgraded model called Emperor.

[fishycanuck]

No change in flow, and no spraybar. All of the wheel parts are wet, either from splash or capillary action.
I have not tried cleaning the bushings, that's a good one.
Merci merci

[NetCop]

I too have a bio-wheel and find that (besides required filter changes) make sure the impeller is clean. This has been the solution to my wheel not spinning as all it needed was that cleaning to give it a little boost in water flow. Those little buggers are like vacuums going over a shoe lace somedays!