Hey guys...need some advice...

I have a 200 penguin biowheel and a 150 set up on opposite sides of the tank of my 55 gallon, Have 1 x 8 inch Oscar and 1 x 8 inch common plec. Recently (2 weeks ago) I transitioned to sand and I've been having some real problems with the biowheels slowing down/stopping....AND not just that. I love the sand and am intent on keeping it, btw.

My 200 filter's motor will shut down about every 3 or 4 days. The smallers motor (which is newer) will keep running but the biowheel will stop or 'lurch' after the same amount of time. The water is clean and clear, and tests fine, although obviously that's not the problem...the clogging problem, however, seems and is, continual. I have to use treated water about every 2 days to rinse everything and clear the 'impeller'?(did I say that right) and the filters before re-installation. They run fine again for the same allotted time and then more issues.

Has anyone else had this continual problem with sand and penguin biowheel filters? I'm thinking I really don't have much choice except to change filter type completely or go to the emperor which has a motor to run the wheel? I have also bought completely new filters as well. I am running 3 actual filters, 2 in the 200 and one in the 150...although I am staggering the newer one so I don't lose the benefits of the older filters. I clean the 2 used ones thoroughly, and then added a new one into the 200.

I understand they are not the ideal setup but if anyone has has had any difficulties and resultant success addressing this it would be helpful. This incessant cleaning is getting to be a real pain.

i suspect your suction line is to close to the sand that it sucked up
the sand immobilizing it. lift the suction point and you will be fine

however, if your o started moving the substrates, nothing you can about it.
sand will still be sucked by the system

PAUL wrote:


Both intakes about 7 1/2 inches away from bottom as measured...confused. It is approximately half way up the tank. He does move the substrate...however sporadically. Tank is in the living room and I've only seen him move the substrate maybe 2x a day and just a mouthful each time which falls immediately to the floor. He doesn't kick it up or disturb it alot. If this might be a problem I can cut the line a bit...however I would be surprised if halfway would be not enough.

Still...I am going to shorten the line a bit. This might help.

every time your o scoop that sand, you will be surprised the volume of suspended
particles being sucked by the filter. even the slightest swimming of the o touching
the top of the sand produces cloudy matters and will be sucked too..... biowheel
has a very fine mesh and catch more suspended particles than suspected.

PAUL wrote:


Shortened the line about 3 inches each..

Thx, paul...gotta get some rest before work...lol. I'm the type of guy who gets anal about trying to fix things. I'd lay there in bed thinking about it unless I did something about it...or at least had a plan...

PAUL wrote:


Oh not anymore.

I have a new respect for the challenges of having weaker HOB filters and sand. The advice is much appreciated.

PAUL wrote:


Shortening the suction line seems to be really helping alot. No motor stoppage, and very little if any drainage back into the tank by this point.

nice to know you were able to sort things out....
the only negative aspect of it is that it will not
suck the poos and other crap on the ground....
but a good rundown hose vacuuming will do the tricks.

PAUL wrote:


No worries...WIN offered to drive over and suck out the poos and crap through his .44 magnum barrel on a weekly basis. I didn't even have to ask!

paul's got you covered. getting the intake farther from your substrate was the proper thing to do imo.

I bought a Penguin emperor 400 today so Im breaking that in and shortened the intake as well...btw petco is such a gyp. Bought it at my local fish store and went to petco for some sand on my way home and it was selling there for 20 bucks more. 20 BUCKS. That's an outrageous markup.

humming along nicely (much, much more powerful) and i kept the 200 in there as well. Love having a separate water spray for the wheels.