Would You Return This Filter?

[ellena]

I bought a fluval mini about 8 weeks ago. It came with 3 year guarantee. I got it for a secondhand tank which came with a superflow 1. The tank was sited nest to my bed and I didn't make it through one night with the superflow as it was so noisy.
When I first got the fluval, it was lovely and quiet. Then it started making the crackly kind of noise when I put the sponge over the outlet (to slow flow for betta) Every night before bed, I was messing about opening it up, removing the impellor, putting it all together agin etc. Then I noticed it was quieter if it was at an angle, so I moved stuff round and fixed it there. Now it's making a noise at that angle too and even worse when upright. H says it's the bushes in the motor? I've managed to shut it up last night by not attaching the media box fully to the motor section. Will it still be working? Can I try anything else and do you think this is reason enough to take it back?
Thanks for opinions

 

[Squid]

I'd be tempted to take it back, as long as there are not visible signs that you have been taking it apart

I'm one of those people who hates unwanted noises in tanks, cars, fridges etc.. drives me nuts!

Squid

 

[VaegaVic]

Take it back, it's not worth this much grief.
Instead, swap it for an air pump.
Put air pump in an old sock and dangle from something i.e. a spare screw or nail - To stop it from making too much noise. (Or possibly just put alot of foam rubber underneath it and around it).
Then, make a sponge filter! You can do it with an old fish food tube in about 5 mins.

Apparently those new Interpet Airvolutions are rather silent.
http/www.seapets.co.uk/products/aquarium-supplies/fish-tank-equipment/aquarium-air-pumps/air-volution-and-aqua-air-pumps/airvolution-mini-pump-interpet.html

Your choice, but in this situation, you can move the airpump as far away as you need (obviously with more tubing) where with a filter, the drum will be there constantly...forever..

 

[ellena]

I've only been taking apart as it's meant to be to clean/replace media-haven't had the screwdriver to it I've yet to hear a quiet air filter, but could be convinced. I've made a sponge filter before, so I'll see what LFS have in stock.
If I do replace it, I'm thinking I'll have to get something else in place first, and I won't want to take the sponge back, as I'll need to transfer that to whatever I replace it with?

 

[VaegaVic]

That depends completely on how long the tank has been running.
If the tank is cycled and all the bacteria is currently on that sponge you put in the new filter, then put said sponge back into the old filter and run that for a few hours whilst you get the sponge filter together. You can then have 2 choices:
1) Use the old cycled sponge as the sponge filter
2) Attach it somehow to the new sponge.

For (1) all you would need would be a check-valve. Place the check valve (or similar pointed end object) into the sponge and fasten using silicon etc. Either that or do (2) by siliconing the old sponge to the new one.

 

[Ryefish]

Put air pump in an old sock and dangle from something i.e. a spare screw or nail - To stop it from making too much noise. (Or possibly just put alot of foam rubber underneath it and around it).

Does this actually work? does it reduce the noise of the air pump?

 

[VaegaVic]

Put air pump in an old sock and dangle from something i.e. a spare screw or nail - To stop it from making too much noise. (Or possibly just put alot of foam rubber underneath it and around it).

Does this actually work? does it reduce the noise of the air pump?

Depending on the air pump, it can work very well. Most noise is created by the air pump vibrating against a surface, in most cases, the floor or cabinet. It's the same as putting your external filter against the cabinet, it makes noise due to the vibrations. If you remove the surface for the air pump to vibrate against, you help quieten it. You wont get rid of all the noise though, just the vibrations against surfaces.

 

[Ryefish]

Depending on the air pump, it can work very well. Most noise is created by the air pump vibrating against a surface, in most cases, the floor or cabinet. It's the same as putting your external filter against the cabinet, it makes noise due to the vibrations. If you remove the surface for the air pump to vibrate against, you help quieten it. You wont get rid of all the noise though, just the vibrations against surfaces.

Didn't mean to hijack this thread. This is a really good idea though. My mum wasn't liking the idea of setting a tank up in my room because of the noise that the air pump makes when it vibrates on furniture and through the floor. Ill have to give it a try. Thanks

 

[doresy]

Bringing this thread back in line with the OP concerns

Sometimes this kind of tiny filter gets an air bubble trapped causing the impeller to 'chatter'. While it is running try revolving it 360* in all directions to force the air out. You could also try putting a finger over the outlet for a few seconds then releasing.

 

[ellena]

Thanks doresy There often does seem to be a gush of air when I take the media chamber off underwater. And chatter is just the right word! I'll give that a go tonight