Bio-Wheel questions

[CiRXSi]

Well, with all the talks lately, I have been convinced to lose the UGF in my 55G. I've already got a HOB supplementing currently, but I want to make use of my Magnum 350 cannister. So I'm getting the Marineland Bio-wheel 60 attachment to work off my cannister. I've never used a Bio-wheel before, and I know that rinsing them off, of course, is an issue. Do they get dirty to the point where you want to rinse them off? Or do they stay fairly clean? I know about using changed tank water to rinse. Also, this unit has 2 wheels. If one did get "too gross" or slowed down current, I could always alternate which one I rinsed. Those of you who know more, and have had these awhile, please share what you do.

 

[QTOFFER]

I've had a biowheel running continuously on my Q-tank for about 5 months.
It does get pretty funky-looking, but I have been advised not to touch it unless the wheel stops moving altogether. I've only wiped off the bearing because the wheel stopped moving intermittently - something that I later found out is normal and quite common.

You are right that the two wheel model offers the advantage of allowing you to rinse off one wheel at a time.

 

[Allivymar]

I've never rinsed any of my biowheels. I've one which is close to a year old and works great. The only thing I've done (and not on that one btw; I've only had to do this with the wheel on my Penguin 125) is cleaned off the ends that go into the bearings as they can get a little gunked up. I don't think it is recommended to ever rinse the actual wheel actually.