Fluval 406 Humming Noise

[Hazarrd]

Hi, I've had a Fluval 406 for just over a year now.  It worked great and was dead silent up until around 3 months ago when I noticed a mild humming noise.  The noise has been consistent for the past three months, but it is annoying.  I took apart the impeller and did not find any debris.  I have not changed any of the media since I installed the filter (over a year ago), and Fluval told me that this could be causing the humming noise, but that sounds fishy (pun intended).  Would like to hear thoughts on what the problem might be and what I can do to fix it. Here is a link to a recording of the sound: https/www.dropbox.com/s/zfcerd772mxwr40/Fish%20tank.m4a

 

[Rob5]

I get a similar problem with my Eheim.

As the impeller is the only moving part, every time I strip the pump for maintenance I smear the impeller shaft with Vaseline as this cures the problem

I hope this helps

 

[simplyfish]

I have a similar problem with my eheim too. Im planning to take it apart this weekend so be ready for an oh crap I broke my filter post!

 

[ShinySideUp]

Yes, that is noisy. It sounds like something is not located properly and is causing the impeller to move around in it's slot. Are there rubber bungs at both ends of the impeller shaft? I only had a Fluval 305 but I assume the build is the same.

 

[Garbolino]

I run the same filter, I wonder if the impeller has moved from the housing cover?

 

[anachrotech]

I know this is late and I'm sure you discovered what the problem was.  When my fluval 305 started making a grinding noise, I replaced the impellor and ceramic shaft.  Thought everything would be great, but that wasn't so.  I did notice a small reduction in flow and initially attributed that to the polishing pads I put in the canister.  It then started making the humming noise. I would say an electrical type noise.  After much cursing about fate, and nearly ordering another motor, I decided to take off the strainer assembly at the end of the intake.  Low and behold, there was a piece of debris lodged in the check valve.  No noise now.  Just a thought if you have a problem down the road.