Glass vibrating from internal filter

[Abaddon]

Hi everyone
this may be a silly question, but bear with me I recently set up 2 nano tanks (~10 gallons each), and I put a small internal filter in each of them - the kind that you attach directly to the glass with suction cups. I noticed that when I put my hand against the glass or the lid, it vibrates a little. Not super intense, but definitely noticeable - especially on the side where the filter is attached. I put a piece of sponge between the glass and the filter, but it's still detectable. The filters are both new and working properly, so I don't think there's a problem with them. With my previous filter it was even worse (maybe because it kept clogging up, which is why I replaced it ) - the vibrations were quite strong and I could feel them even on the underside of the ~2cm particle board countertop the tank was sitting on (even though there was a 5mm foam mat underneath the tank). So I guess my question is - is this normal, or could it potentially cause the glass or the silicone seams to weaken over time and shorten the tank's lifespan? Or am I just being paranoid and there's nothing to worry about? Both tanks are rimless 4mm glass.
Thanks in advance for any input

 

[anewbie]

I would be very concern if anything made the glass vibrate of a mass produced 10 gallon aquarium as I believe it will impact the weak siliicon bond. As for normal no clue on the filter i have no clue what filter you are using and even if i knew i doubt i could tell you it is normal as all my aquariums 39 and smaller use effectively sponge filters of some sort; and most of my aquariums under 100 gallon also only use sponges. I'm a very spongy sort of person who is sick and tired of cleaning sponges every few years. Anyway i can't answer your question directly but yes i would be concern.

 

[Abaddon]

This is the filter I'm using: https://erumaqua.pl/en-gb/aquarium-internal-filter-pat-mini-aquael.html
It's a very simple turbine filter. The vibrations are quite faint, it's more of a gentle buzz that you can feel if you press your palm against the glass/lid/shelf. I'm not sure how to avoid it tbh. I think all internal filters and even HOBs whirr or vibrate a little, and if they're positioned against the glass (according to the manufacturer's instructions), it's understandable that these vibrations will be transferred onto it. I'm sure lots of people use these things without a second thought & somehow I doubt they're causing mass tank failures...
I'm not at all sure how to solve this. The pump head from my filter can also be attached to a sponge filter, but the motor is still going to be inside the tank so it doesn't really solve anything. And there's not much room next to the tank to fit an extra air pump

 

[anewbie]

Your filter is essentially a power head on a sponge. Effective but as i noted i always use air driven sponge filters. Same idea though the power head can generate more current depending on the power (usually expressed in liter or gallon per hour or minutes); part of the vibration can be alleviated by well made motors and large suction cups but of course the problem here is i'm not really able to have a first hand sense of the amount of vibration in question. I've used power heads rarely over the years (mostly fluval) and never noticed much vibration so i can't say if i just never noticed or if it is less/more than this unit.

Just for future reference you could evaluate the cost of that unit vs sponge filter+small air pump.

 

[Abaddon]

Maybe I'll try adding a thicker sponge between the filter and the thing with the suction cups. Plus bigger suction cups, see if that helps. The vibrations are faint, you have to pretty much press your fingers into the glass to detect them. It's more like a buzz or tingle. It's not like the whole tank is shaking or something XD
I suppose the cost of the sponge filters would be similar, but I don't have much space next to the tanks (they're mounted on the wall), and tbh the idea of tossing brand new filters and redoing the whole system right after I finished setting it up kind of makes me want to bang my head against a wall :s The only reason I'd do that is if there was any genuine risk of premature tank failure, cause obviously I don't want that to happen.