Marineland Emperor 280 filter noise

[Lounee]

I'm setting up my first tank, and yesterday filled it with water and turned on the new filter. The bio-wheel spins great, but there is a rattling/vibration noise coming from the intake/impeller area. I tried taking it apart and cleaning it out, but it is still there. Is this normal for the Emperors? I've seen posts talking about the water/splashing noise, but I'm fine with that. This other sound is pretty annoying, though. I was hoping running it overnight would help, but there is no change.

Unfortunately tech support is not available on the weekends, so i'll have to wait until Monday to talk to Marineland. Anyone have any ideas on things to try, or run into this before?

Thanks for your help!

- First-timer Lounee

 

[67chevelle]

What kind of substrate do you have?

There is a little rubber piece on the end of the impeller. If it is not seated on the end correctly,they can rattle.

That's all I can think of right now.

 

[Lounee]

I have a mid-sized gravel (smooth) substrate.

Are you talking about the rubber piece around the top (above the blades) that is pressed into the hole in the housing? I'll check it out this afternoon. Also, how firmly does it need to be seated?

Thanks for your thoughts 67chevelle. I appreciate the advice.

 

[67chevelle]

Are you talking about the rubber piece around the top (above the blades) that is pressed into the hole in the housing?)

Yes

Also, how firmly does it need to be seated?

Just make sure it is in there and won't fall out.

I have found,usually in older filters,that if the rubber piece has moved off center,it will rattle.

 

[Lounee]

OK, so I turned it off, and when I pulled it out the housing cover was no longer attached to the housing below the impeller. Just for fun I put it back in without the housing cover and it was much quieter. I'm not real comfortable running it without the cover, but maybe if I find a way to attach it better, and cushion the cover, it may take care of the problem.
(The rubber piece looks ok for now, but I'll keep an eye on it)

Is there a type of tape I could use safely? Obviously if I glue it I won't be able to take the impeller out for cleaning/replacing.

Thanks!

 

[RodInCALIFORNIA]

since its new i would just return it and tell them its defective and exchange it for another one.

 

[purokogi]

how high did you fill your tank? I noticed with the emperor 280 it really has to be filled to run right.

 

[Lounee]

Lol, I guess I could just return it. But then I wouldn't know how to fix it... and that would bug me. I guess its the old engineer in me.

I filled the tank up so that the bottom of the plastic "splash piece" (where the water runs out) is covered. Should I fill it higher?

 

[Kengel]

I'd say it's common, my filter does it too.

 

[rdickert]

Here's where research pays off before making a purchase - I wish I had done a quick google on "loud Emperor filters" before I picked up 2 400's last weekend. Brand new, out of the box, both filters are just loud - not from the water return, but vibration within the plastic flow box (or whatever it's called). I did e-mail Marineland and they said they will be shipping me two new impellers, cross your fingers.

Lounee, it seems that I am getting some type of vibration from that cover piece, but if you run the filter without that, will it still power the spraybars?

I was surprised because years ago, I ran the E-400 and it was a quiet, good performing filter. I see that they have recently changed the design (and probably moved production somewhere cheap) - hopefully the noise/vibration issue can be resolved because I really liked the way these bad boys worked in the past.