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	what would happen to a biowheel which stopped turning?
moondog Moderator The Hobnob-lin Posts: 2676 Kudos: 1038 Votes: 4366 Registered: 30-Sep-2002	my biowheel instructions say not to let it stop spinning, but i was wondering why that is? it seems like the wheel will still be wet and covered with bacteria whether it turns or not. "That's the trouble with political jokes in this country... they get elected!" -- Dave Lippman
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:18
john.stone Banned Posts: 1600 Kudos: 2332 Votes: 18 Registered: 03-Apr-2003	If it stops turning only 1 side would stay wet... and the other would dry out and the bacteria would die. Plus it spinning adds to the O2 in the water.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:18
victimizati0n Banned Posts: 1217 Kudos: 1105 Votes: 31 Registered: 29-Apr-2004	bio-wheels have ALOT of bacteria on them Letting them stop and dry out is like killing half of the bacteria on it. Bio-wheels are suppose to "pause" for about a second or 2 when they are older, and the tank is cycled
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:18
Azrael_Darkness Fish Addict Posts: 547 Kudos: 420 Votes: 8 Registered: 26-Oct-2004	do you prefer bio wheel emperor filters instead of a canister?
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:18
victimizati0n Banned Posts: 1217 Kudos: 1105 Votes: 31 Registered: 29-Apr-2004	What size tank? If it was any bigger than a 55g i would get a canister.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:18
moondog Moderator The Hobnob-lin Posts: 2676 Kudos: 1038 Votes: 4366 Registered: 30-Sep-2002	If it stops turning only 1 side would stay wet... and the other would dry out and the bacteria would die. but mine stopped spinning for a few days and the other side didn't dry out. is that the secret, that the wheel can't dry out? "That's the trouble with political jokes in this country... they get elected!" -- Dave Lippman
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:18
Gomer Ultimate Fish Guru Small Fry with BBQ Sauce Posts: 3602 Kudos: 1709 Votes: 106 Registered: 29-Mar-2002	One side would dry, and that means little bacteria run around screaming with their backs on fire, and die. Poor little bacteriums. -- Gomer
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:18
JQW Fish Addict Posts: 869 Kudos: 758 Registered: 09-Apr-2003	moondog, i was suprised that you don't know the answer to your own question after all you are a fish guru yes, if the bio wheels stops, some bacteria population will die out and less oxygen will be added to the water
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:18
moondog Moderator The Hobnob-lin Posts: 2676 Kudos: 1038 Votes: 4366 Registered: 30-Sep-2002	well, as i said, because my wheel didn't dry out when it stopped for a little while so i figured if the wheel was still wet without spinning, then i couldn't see why spinning would be so important since the bacteria would still be wet and living "That's the trouble with political jokes in this country... they get elected!" -- Dave Lippman
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:18
littlemousling Conchiform Posts: 5230 Registered: 23-Aug-2003	Are you sure it completely stopped? if it was just spinning, say, once every few minutes, it would stay wet. But anyway, drying out (I wouldn't be surprised if it didn't, capillary action and all that) isn't the real issue - ammonia is. If the bacteria on the "up" side get no ammonia, they'll die. And if the bacteria on the down side can't get adequate oxygen (less likely but possible) they'll die. So ... I'd get it spinning again, slow but steady. -Molly Visit shelldwellers.com!
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:18
johnsmith Enthusiast Posts: 166 Kudos: 144 Votes: 0 Registered: 13-May-2004	If the bacteria on one side of the biowheel wasn't coming into contact with the aquarium water, then it wouldn't be doing much good even if it remained wet indefinitely.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:18
johnnylaw1984 Enthusiast Posts: 158 Kudos: 168 Votes: 19 Registered: 27-Sep-2004	the wheel can slow down or stop on occasions, but all sides of the wheel should come in contact with the aquarium water so that the bacteria can do its job and make our job easier. The bio wheel should not dry out or the bacteria will die ( as previosly stated).
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:18
moondog Moderator The Hobnob-lin Posts: 2676 Kudos: 1038 Votes: 4366 Registered: 30-Sep-2002	yeah, it was completely stopped for at least a few days, but the wheel was still wet. i started it up again, but it got me wondering about this question. "That's the trouble with political jokes in this country... they get elected!" -- Dave Lippman
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:18
inkodinkomalinko Fish Guru Posts: 2441 Kudos: 833 Registered: 18-Jan-2003	Is the filter catridges clean? Mine usually stop when it needs a water change..
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:18


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