Will hiding my HOBs with a canopy reduce the noise level? Before I am commited to building one, I want opinion from folks with canopy experience.
Try using cork or thick rubber gasket material next time!I can share what NOT to do. I put a small wash cloth between the filter and the outside glass of the tank to quiet the vibration. Apparently once when I cleaned the filter I wiggled the whole thing around so that a corner of the washcloth was touching the water. It wicked a gallon or more onto the table holding the tank and the floor. Of course, I wasn't the one to find it. My husband did. I came home to a tank with the filter unplugged and tossed outside and the heater unplugged and pulled out of the tank. However, he did mop up all the water.
I HATE filter noises. I've found the quietest filters to be internal filters (http://www.aquahobby.com/products/e_fluvalplus.php) or undergravel filters powered by powerheads.
wren
I tried peroleum jelly but it doesn't work with my Penquen HOBs. I think it only works with Aquaclear which has a fixed shaft. Still, it won't solve the motor vibration noise.All I'd add to discuspaul's comments is adding a light film of petroleum jelly or silicone grease to the impeller shaft after you clean it. Do clean impellers every so often. One single cat hair can wrap around the shaft and make the filter noisy.
Water fall splashing noise does not bother me. It's a soothing noise and I can silent it by raising the tank water level. The motor vibration and impeller rattling noise is annoying and hard to fix.not really. Splashing noise may be reduced but motor vibration will still be heard.