Loud, buzzing filter problems

[capek36]

When I came home last night my filter- a tetra "whisper" 350 or something- was emitting a very loud and annoying buzzing noise. The filter seems to be working just fine, i just took it apart to see if it was clogged. Although there was a plastic leaf in there, the filter kept making the same loud, awful sound when I took it out. Again, the filter seems to be working perfectly it is just creating an awful noise. I can't even sleep in my room and I'm sure my poor axolotl hates it much more than I do. I really hope someone has encountered the same problem as well as a solution. Oh, yeah I just called the company help line and they were closed which is weird because I could have sworn the box said they were open 24 hours.

 

[jclee]

Re: Loud, Buzzing Filter problems

When I've had noise problems with whisper filters, I've just kept re-cleaning and re-assembling them until they were quiet. In my past experiences, the pieces have been too loosely assembled, or else there was one last little piece of something I had to get out, even though it all looked fine to me. I would try re-cleaning and re-assembling it a few more times, to see if that will clear it up.

 

[Jennewt]

Re: Loud, Buzzing Filter problems

I agree. Take it apart again. Be sure to remove the whole impeller (the thing that spins with the little blades on it). Squirt some water as forcefully as possible into the area under the impeller.

 

[Mac Myers]

I agree. All noise comes from the impeller or impeller and impeller housing. :happy:

 

[JWERNER]

The problem is that Whispers actually shout.

Bad jokes aside, clean the impeller and lube it with some petroleum jelly. Totally safe and harmless towards your aquatics.

 

[capek36]

I called the companies hot line and they said to rinse out the propeller in distilled vinegar. "m currently in the process of doing that right now.I hope it works. Can vinegar be harmful to axolotls? I'm gonna rinse everything out with hot water after, but I just wanna make sure it's not bad for him.

 

[Jennewt]

As long as you rinse it well, the vinegar will all be gone. A trace amount getting into the tank would not be harmful.

 

[JWERNER]

Vinegar should work. But it also depends on the problem.

Vinegar gets rid of mineral deposits. So, if its just gunk rinsing it will work just fine how ever I do know that some impellers especially on Whispers just hum. For that I really do recommend the lube.

Been using it on aquariums for years upon years and it really is safe.