Internal Power Filters

[Moochela]

Are all internal power filters noisy, or can anyone recommend a good model that operates quietly?

I am setting up a juwel180 with a brand new interpret PF4 filter and it makes too much noise - I am not sure if I can live with the constant buzzing. Whilst the tank lid is closed it is not so bad, but inside the tank the noise will be deafening for the poor fish when they are transferred to their new home.

Could it be that there is a problem with the filter, or should I exchange it for a different brand like a fluval or a Juwel. I am new to fishkeeping and unsure whether all filters are noisy - is this something that I will have to learn to live with?

thanks for your replies

 

[waterdrop]

If you're new and its a new setup its easy to get air trapped in there and mistake that for the overall noise level of the filter. Try putting your hands down underwater, picking it up in one hand and giving it some carful but firm raps sideways and/or up/down.. in different planes and see if you can cause it to let loose of some trapped air bubbles. If that doesn't work I'd take it apart and put it back together trying to see if anything is wrong. If that doesn't work it may be that its just a particular instance of a noisy filter or a noisy model line and then I'd bring this back up in this thread to get an idea of good alternative models. But I'd try working with it some first.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[hodgeheg]

I have the interpet PF1 filter and the only noise that makes is when it (occasionally) makes the lid vibrate. But, yours is bigger so maybe that increases the noise level?

If most larger filters are loud why not try having 2 seperate, smaller filters?

 

[Assaye]

I've had my Interpet PF3 running for about three months, and it's still really noisy =( it's in my bedroom as well, grr!

So not much help there. My other filters are fine, but they are all smaller so I don't know of any larger internals that are reliably quiet.

 

[duster1971]

i am using an internal power filter and it has never been noisy try finding a pen plax cascade internal mine works wonderfuly.

 

[OldMan47]

I have an internal Fluval 4+ that is silent. I also have a few tanks set up with sponge filters powered by power heads that are completely silent. The way I know a filter is running is to put my hand where the water should be coming out and feel the water moving. Noise is never a way to figure it out because I can't hear them. A noisy filter could be air bound, as WD said, or it could just be a bad design. Noise = inefficiency

 

[arobinson1984]

Agree with oldman here, In my opinion Fluvals produce the best internal filters around at the moment, in the past ive had a fluval 2+ and a 3+ both of which were silent. Pity I can the same for their external range

Andy

 

[aly_starh]

i have the IPF DUO 2, doesnt make any noise, just make sure its clippe into the tank properly.

 

[mbsqw1d]

I'm a happy owner of a quiet Fluval 4+

 

[Enterprise1701]

I also bought a pf4 for my juwel 180 when the old filter housing decided to detach itself from the tank and the powerhead stopped working. I too have tried every way to eliminate the noise but to no avail. I have a pf2 in a smaller tank and that runs silently. I noticed  there is a lot of space between the impeller and the impeller housing and suspect vibration is to blame for this noise. I went to a store to compare other pf4 housings and they are all the same. I believe it is a design flaw.

 

[Enterprise1701]

Re my last post. My tank is also missing a lid. I am hoping that once I have made one it may eliminate some of the noise.