Penguin Bio Wheel 150 Problems

[loveforfhishies]

i have the penguin dual bio wheel 350 for my 55 gallon tank so i thought i would go with a penguin for my 20 gallon.

i hooked it up and put water in it and when i pluged it in it just sat there and spuddered for about 2 minutes before it started to get a water flow. when it did start moving water it shut off about 5 minutes later. i unpluged it and took it all apart and pluged it back in and it started up again. still took about 2 minutes to cycle the water ( my big penguin starts moving water instantly )

anyway i have the problem that this filter keeps shutting off.

i have sand at the bottom of the tank but none of its floating into the vacoom so im not sure why its cutting out like that. should i return it or is there something i could do?

 

[cleekdaFish]

Soeme penguins take awhile for it to run soothly , my took 4 days b4 it stopped making rattling noises, keep it for awhile , if it doesnt get better enchange it


i used to have sand with a bio penguin in the tank,it sux when u get some sand in the motor, makes loud noises and very hard to restart

 

[SkiFletch]

Soeme penguins take awhile for it to run soothly , my took 4 days b4 it stopped making rattling noises, keep it for awhile , if it doesnt get better enchange it


i used to have sand with a bio penguin in the tank,it sux when u get some sand in the motor, makes loud noises and very hard to restart

Try filling up the filter before you turn it on

 

[mikey12421]

I've had the same problem with several penguins. Put your ear to the box when it stops working - if there is a buzzing noise its a jam. If there is no noise you've got a bum motor. If there is a crackling like noise you've either got sand (or something else) in the impeller (take the intake out and wash thoroughly in the filter box) or the a piece has broken of the impeller or intake and its jamming it.

I'll be honest, once they get going those filters are great, but I've had to return about 20% that I've owned for various problems (leaks, bum motor, etc.) Just try cleaning it, see what happens and if it doesn't work return it. Also, try running it in a tank with only water (no substrate) in it to see if that clears it up)

Always fill the filter box before you start running. As its starting up you can keep adding water into the box from the tank using a glass or other container to sort of help it along.

hope that helps! good luck

- mike