[RoedyGreen]

A Marineland 100 external filter came with my tank. It has a "bio wheel". It looks like a water wheel, made of corrogated paper product. It looks as if it is supposed to spin. However it does not, though it will spin freely if I pour some water on at. Is that normal?

 

[burr740]

A brand new bio-wheel is supposed to spin freely, and rather fast. As it becomes waterlogged and cultured with bacteria, it will slow down, eventually to the point of stopping for a few seconds in between partial rotations. This is perfectly normal, and desirable - as long as it isnt stopping long enough for the top portion to dry out.

If the filter is brand new and the wheel doesnt spin then there's a problem. I would double check that you have it installed correctly.

 

[WestHaven]

One thing that can help is to twist both sides of the biowheel in opposite directions (be gentle). This will tighten up the paper and it may spin better.

 

[Diana]

Make sure the track is clean (snails, moss, riccia are the most common things I find), and the filter is pumping water very well. If the filter slows down the water trickles under the biowheel without making it turn.

 

[RoedyGreen]

It seems to be spiing now. Oddly squeezing the sides seemed to free it up.
What does it do?

 

[FatherLandDescendant]

It seems to be spiing now. Oddly squeezing the sides seemed to free it up.
What does it do?

It collects bacteria that help break down the toxins that are created from left over fish food and poop.

 

[roadmaster]

Some models with the biowheel such as the Emperor series by Marineland, have little plastic clips if you will ,that the shaft on each end of the biowheel spins on/rides on.
These over time, can collect crud that affects the ability of the biowheel to spin freely.
Can slide these up and out and give em a cleaning, and it can help also.

 

[Diana]

Twisting the paper makes the distance from end to end a tiny bit less. If the wheel was binding at each end, so not running well, this will help, until the paper relaxes. Also makes the diameter of the paper part a tiny bit smaller. Not sure how this helps.