New Penguin filter noise?

Ramirez

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Oct 1, 2003
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I just bought a new Penguin mini filter with bio wheel. I hooked it up last night and it is making a noise which sounds like a mix between a rattle and a grind. It's not alarmingly loud, but it is noticeable since the aquarium is in my room.

It's not the bio wheel because it still makes the noise when I take the wheel off. I took apart the impeller and I can find anything grinding in there.

Do all Penguin filters sound like this? Is this noise just present when the filter is new and will go away after it breaks in? I'm wondering if I need to take the filter back to the store.
 
I have the 125 and it only makes the noise you're describing when it is just starting while it is priming the filter. When its under normal operation its completely silent except for the sound of falling water.

This is not the mini but I'd still say its sounds like something is a bit off. Maybe call Marineland and see if they can help?
 
hey

i get that low humming/grinding type noise on my penguin too it comes for a half minute or so they fades off if i push on the filter on tank hood it seems to quite itself a little i'm not sure what it is either but it doesnt stay so i dont think its serious unless their filters are just junk
 
You shouldn't have that noise unless it's got air in the impeller well. Try pouring some cups of tank water directly down into the impeller well. Also, make sure the intake tube is firmly seated into the impeller well, too. If any air bleeds into that area, it can be a tad noisy...

Good luck,
Jim
 
I've encountered this noise on and off with various filters, and have read in a book to expect it, the book said to simply turn the filter off then on again, after a few tries it usually goes silent, although I'm having a ongoing problem with a 'fluval 1 plus' filter and this method isn't working:(.
 
This happens with new penguins. It says it in the manual that it will make noise for some time. Mine usually did overnight and then they were fine. I can't recall if it happened with the emperors.
 
Check to make sure that the intake is pushed completely down into the filter. I noticed a few times after cleaning that mine was up a little and impeded the flow causing more noise than usual.
 
Try pulling out the impeller and reseating it. Sometimes they're not in there "quite right" and make noise.
 
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