Question About A Biowheel Filter

[jordan.m]

Hey all,

I just set up my 20 gallon tank, and figured I'd let it sit for a couple days, then put in some plants, and so on. Anyways, I went with a Marineland Penguin Biowheel filter (this one to be exact: http/www.petsmart.com/global/product_det...66860&Ne=2). It does 100 gallons per hour... Which I thought was pretty good!

My only question is, how can I ensure that it is doing a good job of filtering the tank? Not very much water seems to actually pass through the well. Enough water hits it to make it spin, but it's not 'submerged' in water, if you know what I mean. It doesn't seem like the entire wheel is getting wet, so how can it be working efficiently?

Thanks,
Jordan

 

[raptorrex]

Hey all,

I just set up my 20 gallon tank, and figured I'd let it sit for a couple days, then put in some plants, and so on. Anyways, I went with a Marineland Penguin Biowheel filter (this one to be exact: http/www.petsmart.com/global/product_det...66860&Ne=2). It does 100 gallons per hour... Which I thought was pretty good!

My only question is, how can I ensure that it is doing a good job of filtering the tank? Not very much water seems to actually pass through the well. Enough water hits it to make it spin, but it's not 'submerged' in water, if you know what I mean. It doesn't seem like the entire wheel is getting wet, so how can it be working efficiently?

Thanks,
Jordan

i'm not fully up to speed on the bio wheel but i do know that it should be both in and out of the water, this gives what is known as wet and dry filtration. again im not sure but i believe it has something to do with the bacteria liking air!

 

[cujoho78]

Hi. The bio-wheels themselves are not meant to be submerged; they sit up on top and the water flows underneath them like a water wheel which rotates them thereby keeping them wet. The mechanical filtering of the water happens inside the filter where the blue pads fit into the filter. These filter pads filter out the mechanical debris and also provide extra space for nitrifying bacteria. The bio-wheels will also grow good bacteria over time and do not need to be replaced unless damaged. So long as the bio-wheels are turning, and you have some sort of filter material inside the filter itself (which should have been included with the filter) then it will be fine. I like my bio-wheel filter and have been using it for 14 months or so now on a 55g tank. Your filter of 100gph is ok for a 20g tank so long as it's not terribly overstocked. It sounds as though you are set-up nicely! Have fun with the tank.

 

[loveforfhishies]

i have the penguin 350 for my 55 gallon tank, it also doesnt look like its cycleing that much water an hour, anyhow the box says i should replace the filter every 2 weeks?

i thought the dirty filters are good and what keep the tank at its right chemical levels

 

[Gatorbait]

i have the penguin 350 for my 55 gallon tank, it also doesnt look like its cycleing that much water an hour, anyhow the box says i should replace the filter every 2 weeks?

i thought the dirty filters are good and what keep the tank at its right chemical levels

I wouldn't worry about changing your media every 2 weeks unless it's extremely dirty and you notice a lack of flow.

Don't confuse filter with the biowheel itself. The biowheel, the wheel that spins, shouldn't ever have to be replaced. At least for quite a few years.

The actual filter media (I use filter floss for media) should be cleaned a couple times a month and replaced every 3-6 months. That's dependant upon your aquarium. Everyone's is different.