Hmm...biowheel Needing Replacement?

[NonstickRon]

Someone gave me a 5 gallon tank, full setup...condition was I had to rescue it from some really really insane lime/calcium buildup. I'm not sure whether or not I can use the filter as is, i tried to get as much of it cleaned off as possible but theres still a lot down in there I cant reach to scrub out. On top of that, the biowheel and filter were caked with it as well. I managed to rinse it off the filter but I'm not sure if I should try scrubbing/cleaning the biowheel or if I should replace it or of I should just leave it be and use it. Anybody?

Anyway, getting this stuff scrubbed and rinsed took hours, and it still didn't all come off...and my clothes stink like vinegar. Gonna go home and wash my sand...as soon as I look up where to buy pure ammonia.

 

[blodhi74]

Get a mew bio wheel and cycle the tank.
The bacteria dies within 48 hours if left out of water.

 

[OldMan47]

Ron, you could try cleaning the biowheel with a soft brush and you might be able to get it going. Before you spend a lot of time cleaning the old one, make sure it still turns easily in its bearings. If it's at all difficult or not rotating smoothly then start with a new one. There is no point in cleaning up a biowheel that won't turn when water flows over it.

 

[NonstickRon]

Went back today with my daughter to add the sand and water and try pugging it all in. The biowheel turns but very slowly. I'm thinking of just chilling on it and letting it all just run till I can afford to spend $20 on a whole new penguin 150. (Wife is starting to get annoyed at how much I'm spendin on fish stuff). I don't really trust that one as I wasn't able to get to all the calcium/lime down in the powerfilter unit. Its pretty fouled up down in there, although it is still running pretty quietly.

Probably about another week, that will give the sand haze time to settle too. Time for me to figure what my options are as far what to stock the thing with. I think I'll start another topic on that.