BIO-Wheel question

[aquariumguy]

hey everybody...
well, i just got back from Iraq, and am overhauling my tanks. my wife did the best she could, and pretty well i might add, while i was away...but, it was "spring cleaning" time. i upgraded my 55gal's powerfilter to a magnum bio-pro system with two bio-wheels. now, i've never used these before, i was raised on undergravel filters (which i'm still using also). my question is; are the wheels suppossed to be spinning constanlty or just kinda at their own pace. for those you don't know, this system is a canister filter but the "out" line splits between just a normal re-entry into the tank and going to the two bio-wheels. it just kinda seems like the bio-wheels aren't getting enough water pressure to constantly spin them. thanks for any responses. this is my first time on this site, but i've had aquariums my whole life, so maybe we can exchange some exp tips...thaks again

[flynngriff]

Bio-wheels are fine just going at their own pace... As long as they don't get stuck in one position, they're doing what they're supposed to. If they stop for a few seconds, or even a minute or so, don't sweat it. Just make sure they don't get stuck permanently.

[fishfreaks]

Originally Posted by flynngriff @ Tue Apr 05, 2005 2:48 pm

Bio-wheels are fine just going at their own pace... ****As long as they don't get stuck in one position, they're doing what they're supposed to. ****If they stop for a few seconds, or even a minute or so, don't sweat it. ****Just make sure they don't get stuck permanently.

what he said, you should never have to replace those biowheels

[Thunderkiss]

The more they spin the better they are working. Some slow down is to be expected, if they slow too much, make sure the pins and cradles are clean. They also wear grooves over time which will stop them. I fixed that with some stainless steel wire.

[Mr Aquarium]

Your partly correct Thunder,
Accually the more they spin the less effective they are, I've heard people talk of these before, and if they spin to fast, they are not in the air as long and don;t do as good a job, Hence the turm Wet/Dry
They will all turn at their own pace, but the biggest part of them I have ever seen are turning pretty slowly, sorta like a Steam powered paddle wheel boat, just moving along.

[Thunderkiss]

I don't buy it. The commercial version work equally if not better than thier hang on the back siblings, and those versions have water that covers half the wheel.