so i have a bio wheel rated for 55 gals. it started really good and ran well for about two months. now the wheel always stops rotating i clean the wheel and backing all the time and still doesnt work, almost more water comes out of the overflow hole then the filter (i also change and clean the filters regulary.) and Im doing regular maintnace on the prop and motor. I have never had any problems with my auqua clear in my mind they are No. 1 in hang on filters.
Dont think il buy another biowheel.
- Thread starter canadian.fish
- Start date
I have a 12+ year old Penguin Emperor 400 that I have had to replace 1 of the bio wheels on but that was only due to stepping on the bio wheel accidently. I have never had the filter malfunction. I now use a sump and have stopped using any HOB filters. But occasionally the Emperor 400 will come out to run some carbon to clear up some medication or something similar. IT just always works when I need it.
The bio wheels do not need to rotate at a fast pace... slower is better. Some argue about the usefulness of bio wheels but I am confident they don't hurt anything. The only aquaclear I have used was a tiny one bundled with some tank setup. It didn't impress me but I certainly respect the overwhelming positive reviews I have read about the aquaclear filters I have read on this site.
The bio wheels do not need to rotate at a fast pace... slower is better. Some argue about the usefulness of bio wheels but I am confident they don't hurt anything. The only aquaclear I have used was a tiny one bundled with some tank setup. It didn't impress me but I certainly respect the overwhelming positive reviews I have read about the aquaclear filters I have read on this site.
I think I fall in with canadian.fish. I can't seem to keep one working very long either. I can help other people keep theirs running but not my own. Must be gremlins.
im not sure what it is but my wheel was barely turning at one point. then i went to a sump and i used my hob bio wheel again and the thing turned just fine and has never stopped working since . no clue what was different
get a filter with a spray bar. Emp 400 is what I like the penguin 350s just let water push the bio wheels it doesn't work. The spray bar is key
OH! I didn't realize all the Penguins didn't have the spray bar! My 400 just always works and took very little tweaking with the spraybar to keep the bio wheel spinning at a moderate speed.
I've never had an issue with them and I've been using them since they first came out. Never even had to replace one of the wheels even on those first models. But everything is mass produced now a days, so you are bound to see a lemon on anything once in a while.
You can't beat an aquaclear/ best bang for the buck. I currently run 2 110's on my 50 gallon. Over kill maybe but my water is pristine!
eheim 2217 did it for me. They go onsale at petco all the time and just plan work at 100 bucks its massive over kill for most 55 to 100 gallon setups