Hating My Penguin

[jpedersen024]

I bought my Penguin 170, thinking it was going to be the best filter ever. Almost a year later and it still hasn't grown on me. Tha dang biowheel will not turn regularly. I know it's not always supposed to be spinning, and that it doesn't need to be. But the problem then becomes - when the wheel doesn't spin, the water backs up. Backed up water runs out the intake pipe area. Which means (of course!!) it's not getting filtered. Hence, my bigger tank has never looked as clean or crystal clear as my 20 g (which is filtered with an aquaclear). Am I missing something here? I have cleaned the entire filter (and the wheel connections), replaced the cartridge, re-soaked the biowheel (for weighting), and when I put everything back together and start it up.... same thing. I'm ready to pull my hair out!!

So is there something wrong with mine? I'm ready to turf it and get an aquaclear. I started this tank with a monstrous hanging tetratec, and HATED that one too. So I'd like to get this sorted out and stop buying new filters!!

 

[jpedersen024]

C'mon... you mean to tell me I am the ONLY one out here who's had this problem?? If I am, you'd better let me know! I'm having a hard time believing it!

 

[riverman444]

C'mon... you mean to tell me I am the ONLY one out here who's had this problem?? If I am, you'd better let me know! I'm having a hard time believing it!

You are not alone. I have had a large (forget size) Bio-Wheel on my 30 gallon. It spun quite well for a while and now won't spin at all. Worthless piece of crap in my book. I've cleaned it, but to no avail.

You are correct on the backup. It spills out of the groove next to the inlet tube. Hmm....wonder why that groove is there?

I really don't know what to do, and don't really care. I bought the filter because it's huge and has a very high filtration rate. The bio-wheel is crap though.

--riverman

 

[jpedersen024]

Thanks for commiserating at least! I don't understand the hype then. So have you just removed the biowheel entirely to keep your filtration up? You don't find your water clarity is sacrificed by keeping it (not) spinning?

I'm considering removing it to increase my filtration, but then might be sacrificing most of my beneficial bacteria...?

I don't know what to do. Damn thing.

 

[atmmachine816]

I find it's their stupid filter pads that they RIP YOU OFF ON. You don't want the charcoal that they come in anyways so I figured why spend the 9$ it costs me to get packages of three and make your own filter. So all I do is get a big bag of filter fiber made by blue ribbon pet supplies take a handful of that soak it then shove it in the place where the filter cartridge goes. I put just enough in so that it makes the bio-wheel spin consistently and let it go for about a month or when the wheel stops spinning, take it out see if I can get some of the junk of and put it back in until I can't get the wheel to spin anymore. Then I simply just get another handfull. By me it's a little over 5$ for a 7oz. bag that will last you a long time so it's a great way to save money and make the bio-wheel spin. My water is crystal clear and all stats are good (nitrates maybe a little high) but besides that great, and the fish are super heathly and still mate. Works for me, you guys should try it. Need any help feel free to PM me or ask here.

Austin

 

[jpedersen024]

Interesting!!

So you use like a 'cotton wool' type floss? I've been slitting the tops of the cartridges, and rinsing them clean (dumping charcoal), reusing them. Works pretty good so far, but I've only done it once. Still didn't get the damn wheel turning though. I was thinking if I end up needing charcoal at some point, I could add my own into the pouch anyways.

You're right - such a HUGE rip off!! And crappily made cartridge too. All of 10 cents worth of charcoal in there anyhow??!

Thanks for the tip!

 

[atmmachine816]

Yup I am doing that, they sell it at all my lfs's with different size bags called filter fiber on them, looks like pillow stuffing, white fluffy stuff. It works great and is really cheap, I'm probably going to try it on my whisper internal filter on my 10gallon too(hate it but won't waste it).

Need any help I'll help you, my aunt's doing it now too.

Austin

 

[kimmers318]

I had that problem when I first started my penguin in my 10 gallon tank...it turned out the bio wheel was just a little bent out of shape. Once I removed it a few times and twisted and turned I eventually found the right amount of straightening and it turns constantly for me. It has worked great with a dp, 3 dwarf frogs, an oto and a ghost shrimp in there....never a problem.

 

[atmmachine816]

Ya that can be the problem too, I went over my friends house once and his wasn't spinning well , I took the wheel out and bent one of the things back in and it was fine. Good point.

 

[walker001]

Intresting, I have one and it's sharp as a tack. As long as you maintain it. The wheel should always be turning. If the water is going out the chute next to the wheel, your filter is too clogged with gunk and unfiltered water is just going right back into the tank (keeps the filter box from overflowing and getting your floor wet). Important- Don't toss the old filter. On your next water change, put the filter in the bucket of tank water and degunk it. Old toothbrushes are good for this, then reuse the filter. Another thing to look out for is the little turbine wheel inside can get sand or small gravel particles sucked down in it. This will cause the whole works to come to a stop. Best thing to do then is to take the intake tube with the impeller on it, go to the sink and clean it good, it has some magnets in there and they can get gunked and not work as well also.

Last, make sure the little purple removable fittings are in place for you to set the wheel in. When I first set mine up I was in such a hurry, I left them in the box and wondered why it worked like crap, till I realized I half-assed it and didn't put it all together properly.

Really, once you get it going, its a rather good filter. I cant think of any complaint I have with them.

 

[atmmachine816]

How long has yours been up and running. Yes I do monthly clean on it, intake tube and impeller and the works and as for cleaning the filter, I tried that but the junk kept beating me because I have messy fish and I could'nt keep up with it and it kept getting clogged. It's a good filter but my fish poop a lot and the filter gets clogged FAST. For the first half year it will spin great but once the wheel fills up with junk it slows down and requires more water to spin it, I think it's a great filter if you make your own filters.

 

[kramers]

I've had mine set up for about 7-8 months now and I'm always having at least 1 wheel that just doesn't want to turn. I clean the intake tubes, impeller, rinse out all of the gunk, check for any deformities in the wheel and after a week or so of both of them turning fine one will stop. I've replaced the filter carts, which yes are a bit on the pricey side, with filter floss which only seemed to get stuck in t he wheel.

 

[AMS]

Has anyone had problems with the Magnum 350 Pro System? I have had it for about 4 months now and works like a charm on my heavily planted 55 gallon Serrasalmus Compressus tank. The wheels have yet to stop turning, but I dont want it to end up being a piece of crap .

 

[phlawed]

Things to check on biowheels as probably some already mentioned

1. inside of intake and propeler assembly, wash them out good
2. propeler and intake assembly when putting back together, if the proper section is shoved to far up on the intake, it will not seat properly
3. replaceable filter, insure it is not clogged and seated properly
4. every few months rinse the wheel in your take water by shaking it a few times (it can get pretty weighted down after a few months)
5. Ensure calcium deposits are not inside where the wheel is seated onto the filter, cotton Q-tips do well for cleaning this out
6. increase your water level to create a back pressure of water at the wheel

Thats all i can think of atm. hope this helps some