New Filter has become Noisy

(EviL DeaD)

(EviL DeaD)

Crazy Cat Guy
Aug 20, 2008
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0
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El Paso Tx
oneworldon-line.com
I just recently purchased a new filter since my old one gave out. Well it had been running fine for the past 2 weeks but recently it had become fairly noisy. The filter is a Tetra FS 20-40 which seems has since been renamed to Tetra Whisper EX. Of course I lost the freakin receipt so returning is not an option. Anyway, I took the Impeller assembly apart to see if sand had clogged it up, but the impeller spins freely. So next I though it was hitting a piece of plastic so I cut a piece off to see if it would help, but no. It seems the impeller is not sitting correctly on the magnetic side. Though I have looked for it on Goolge and it seems it may be a common problem.

Heres a link to the filter http://www.tetra-fish.com/sites/TetraFish/aquarium/AquariumContentTwoColumn.aspx?id=2416

Any help would be greatly appreciated, also I could post pictures if that would help.
 
You might want to try picking up a new impeller since you say it is free from debris. I am not familiar with the filter so not sure of what the casing for the impeller looks like but maybe you want to try claning out the casing with a pipe cleaner of a sort.
 
The Tetra line is being switched over from whisper series to EX series. The link you gave is to the new EX series. If I remember correctly, the whisper series has an impeller right where the inlet tube goes to the bottom of the filter housing. Because the tube can affect the alignment, I would check that the tube is seating properly in the filter housing the way it should.
 
try removing the impeller and cleaning it. Mine get noisy when something is caught in the impeller. Or sometimes after I clean them and the impeller didn't get seated right.
If you can't fix it contact the manufacturer. If it's only 2 weeks old it's certain to be under warranty. They can determine it's age my the serial number. You may find it cheaper and less hassle just to buy a new one than to make a warranty claim, but it can't hurt to find out.
 
Well I got one of my older filters working by taking apart the impeller, sand had prevented it from spinning freely. Well I had to move the tank and now the old filter is making a similar noise. Im guessing sand is getting in to the magnetic part and grinding as it spins. ARGH!! Ill try cleaning it and letting it dry and let the older one run. Hmm guess HOB filter arent great for tanks with sand.

Thanks for the responses.
 
(EviL DeaD) said:
Well I got one of my older filters working by taking apart the impeller, sand had prevented it from spinning freely. Well I had to move the tank and now the old filter is making a similar noise. Im guessing sand is getting in to the magnetic part and grinding as it spins. ARGH!! Ill try cleaning it and letting it dry and let the older one run. Hmm guess HOB filter arent great for tanks with sand.

Thanks for the responses.
Click to expand...

I have a HOB in a 2.5g with sand. the pick up tube literally is just above the sand. when the water level gets even slightly low, the return flow causes the sand to pile on the p/u tube because of the small size of the tank. i have never had any issues and it's just an elcheapo from Wally World.
 
I also have an HOB on sand...as long as I turn it off when I stir the sand periodically, I don't have issues with it sucking any up. I have a sponge pre-filter over the intake, the sand level is about 1.5" below the sponge, and I have a large (for the tank) piece of driftwood where the return flow hits so when my level dips (say, I get interrupted mid water change and want to turn everything back on for a few hours before adding the water back in), the flow hits the wood first, preventing that pile up under the intake. My bamboo shrimp also love the wood located there, they sit on it in the strongest flow to filter things out for themselves :P
 
Well Ive the old one just became unbearable last night. The new one still is too noisy. Its definatly due to me changing to sand recently cause now when I think about it that when I strated having problems with my first filter.

Should I switch to a Canister filter? I would like to but I just spent $30 on the new one and my wife wouldnt be happy if I told her it was for nothing.

What would the best way to clean the sand from the impeller housing? Then again, if I do get them going again, it would probably just happen again as my Firemouth likes to stur up the sand. Argh ...

Anybody trade me my two HOB filters for a canister?
 
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