Interpet Pf3 - Soooo Noisy

[jnms]

I brought a Interpet PF3 to add into my tank today, this is a secondary filter.

It is sooo noisy, it's crazy. It has been in the tank for about 2hrs, and my Black Emperor Tetra's have turned completely pink! I really don't think they like it.

Are these filters always so noisy, or is there something wrong with it?

 

[erk628]

I brought a Interpet PF3 to add into my tank today, this is a secondary filter.

It is sooo noisy, it's crazy. It has been in the tank for about 2hrs, and my Black Emperor Tetra's have turned completely pink! I really don't think they like it.

Are these filters always so noisy, or is there something wrong with it?

Don't know anything about those filters but if I were you I would clean it up put it back in the box and take it back.

 

[jnms]

Ok thanks. I was pretty suprised by how noisy it is. But it doesn't sound broken, though it is certainly noisier than my Fluval 305 external...


Also, I moved the filter away from its clip holder. And if I hold it in the water it is notably quieter. There seems to be some vibration when it is in its clip. I added a sponge between the filter and the clip and this has helped a little.

But it is still noisier than my Fluval 305 external.

Also the tetras are still a little on the pale side - even after the PF3 having been switched off for about 15hrs. Could it have been the extra water circulation that they didn't like? The tank is 200ltr and has a Fluval 305 plus this new Interpet PF3...

 

[minxfishy]

The extra current shouldnt have bothered them at all, maybe its something about the vibration they dont like, did you clean the media inside it thoroughly before adding it to the tank, maybe there was something in it that leaked debris or something into the water that they are reacting to, have you test the water?

 

[jnms]

I cleaned the media, and the water perameters are fine. They changed color within about 1.5hrs of the filter being on. Maybe it is the vibration...

Not sure what else I can test for...

 

[jnms]

I changed the PF3 for another PF3, and the new one is almost as noisy. It is a constant vibrating hum - the sort that goes right through your head. It is at least twice as noisy as my Fluval 305 external, maybe even 3 times.

Any ideas what could be causing this?

 

[Schmill]

Do you have the PF3 deep enough in the water? The impeller is quite high in the PFx power filters, and it can make a racket if the impeller is not fully submersed. I have a PF2 and can bearly hear it. If you have the venturi option switched on that can make some noise, but it doesn't seem like it's that noise that is bothering you.
As a guide the outlet duckbill of my PF2 has to be under the water for the impeller to stay immersed and quite, (hence I have the venturi ON to introduce some airflow into the outlet stream)

 

[jnms]

Thanks for replying! I just removed the filter from the bracket which holds it in place. The filter is now sitting on some bogwood leaning slightly backwards onto the rear of the tank. Now the pump is extremely quiet. Seems that the noise is somehow coming from the vibration caused when the pump is fitted into its bracket - not sure why this should occur though...

 

[Schmill]

How is the bracket on the PF3? On the PF2 it is just a basic C shape that the filter slide down into, mounted against the glass using 3 rubber suction cups. Id think even if the filter and bracket were vibrating the rubber suction cups would isolate that from the tank. Are you sure the filter itself hasn't managed to touch the glass, or perhaps (as I find sometimes), the vibration can travel along the cable and it's that that then vibrates against the metal hood of my 60L tank.

 

[jnms]

It sounds like the PF3 has the same bracket as the PF2. I made sure the filter isn't touching the glass at all. It's almost as though the filter is vibrating against the bracket itself - even though it is a snug fit.

I don't think it is the cable - as that hasn't moved, and the filter is much quieter when outside of its bracket.

 

[Schmill]

Sounds really bizarre to me then. As I say, and slight 'hum' from my filter is easily absorbed by the three rubber mounting suckers, sorry can't help!

 

[jnms]

That's ok - thanks for taking the time to reply.

I am going to somehow cushion the filter within the bracket...