I just purchased a Cascade 700 for my new tank and the motor seems to be really loud. I thought these were supposed to be virtually silent. Everything seems to be hooked up and seated properly and there are no air bubbles coming out of the outlet. Is there anything else I should check? Oh, I have checked the impeller and it looks ok. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Problem with Cascade 700
- Thread starter mansfeld
- Start date
The usual culprits are trapped air, something in the impeller well and trapped air.
If you haven't, (even if you are a guy) read the instructions that came with the filter. How to vent trapped air is usually covered there. Most of the time you just turn off the power and gently shake the filter.
If a bit of substrate got siphoned in, and by passed the filter media, (or a piece of filter media) gets into the impeller well the noise will be mechanical sounding. Gloppy chunks of algae in the impeller well usually slows flow and makes the filter growl a bit.
If you haven't, (even if you are a guy) read the instructions that came with the filter. How to vent trapped air is usually covered there. Most of the time you just turn off the power and gently shake the filter.
If a bit of substrate got siphoned in, and by passed the filter media, (or a piece of filter media) gets into the impeller well the noise will be mechanical sounding. Gloppy chunks of algae in the impeller well usually slows flow and makes the filter growl a bit.
Thanks dbosman, I just did what you said and it's still noisy. Maybe I am just being too picky, I was expecting not to really hear anything. Oh, and yes I did read the instructions. 
Hmm, maybe it will kind of break in and get quieter. But then again, maybe we think that this type of stuff breaks in but it is really us just getting used to the noise. I know that I thought my filter and air pump were almost silent for my tank. Left the house for a few days and got back, I almost wanted to unplug the tank that night. But now I am used to it again.
For those who want true silence, Eheims usually are close to it. I have to be right next to any of mine to hear them.
mansfeld,
Try pressing on various areas of the top.
If that doesn't turn up a vibration spot, try tapping firmly, with a finger at various places all around the top. One person had a top that stopped vibrating with a quarter taped to it. Someone else packed floss between the inner and outer plastic covers.
Also, most canisters ship with add on rubber feet. Did yours and did you put them on the bottom? It might be vibrating against the floor.
Good luck.
mansfeld,
Try pressing on various areas of the top.
If that doesn't turn up a vibration spot, try tapping firmly, with a finger at various places all around the top. One person had a top that stopped vibrating with a quarter taped to it. Someone else packed floss between the inner and outer plastic covers.
Also, most canisters ship with add on rubber feet. Did yours and did you put them on the bottom? It might be vibrating against the floor.
Good luck.