tetra whisper power filter

phin · 11-19-2009, 01:55 PM

I just picked up a 10 gallon tank with lid, 15w light and tetra whisper filter for free. I figured I'd set it up as a hospital tank. I wanted to get the filter running and the media established in my main tank until the time I need the hospital/quarantine tank.

Well I set the filter up and it makes a horrible grinding noise. Everything is assembled and seated correctly, but its not pulling water and grinds very loudly.

Is this a problem with the impeller? May a new one fix this? or is this a problem with the energizer/motor attached to the bottom of the filter?

If anyone is familiar with tetra whisper filters and can provide some insight I'd appreciate it. Thanks.

stoddern · 11-20-2009, 05:47 AM

the way HOB's are made it can't be the energizer thats basiclly like the stater on an electric motor and the only moving part is the actual impeller it's self, I'd inspect the impeller very carefully look for tiny broken plastic parts also check the seat for it inside the filter box aswell as the intake tube for holes and cracks. I'd then re-assemble it fill it with water then turn it on and see what happens.

most HOB filters will make a noise if they can't suck water, could be that the impeller has simple warn out and is wobbling alil on it's shaft and by filling it with water first will help it make suction. if the intake tube doesn't have a hole or crack making it so it's sucking air then replace the impeller.

phin · 11-20-2009, 06:52 AM

Thanks. I checked the impeller carefully and the plastic sheath around the metal pin is cracked and broken. Upon closer inspection this is causing the impeller to wobble and not spin nicely. Thanks for the info, going to get a new impleller now.

stoddern · 11-20-2009, 10:40 AM

that'll definatly make a nice grinding noise, a new impeller should do wonders and I bet it'll be alot less noisy

Alexis and Zollzi · 11-22-2009, 07:25 PM

Once you get a new one it should sound less nosy. I have tetra Filters and they made a bit of noise but you will get use to it. If I get my ten gallon tank going with some community fish I will have two filters going everyday in my bedroom.

11-19-2009, 01:55 PM	#1
phin Teenie Weenie Fish Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 96	tetra whisper power filter I just picked up a 10 gallon tank with lid, 15w light and tetra whisper filter for free. I figured I'd set it up as a hospital tank. I wanted to get the filter running and the media established in my main tank until the time I need the hospital/quarantine tank. Well I set the filter up and it makes a horrible grinding noise. Everything is assembled and seated correctly, but its not pulling water and grinds very loudly. Is this a problem with the impeller? May a new one fix this? or is this a problem with the energizer/motor attached to the bottom of the filter? If anyone is familiar with tetra whisper filters and can provide some insight I'd appreciate it. Thanks. __________________ 18 gallon tall 6 neon tetras 1 black neon tetra 2 cherry spot rasboras ghost shrimp Anubias bartari Anubias nana Java Fern Hygrophila polysperma Red cryptocoryne Cryptocoryne lueta Cryptocoryne wendtii (bronze wendtii) Java Moss lots of driftwood

11-20-2009, 05:47 AM	#2
stoddern Little Fish Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Vermont Posts: 139	the way HOB's are made it can't be the energizer thats basiclly like the stater on an electric motor and the only moving part is the actual impeller it's self, I'd inspect the impeller very carefully look for tiny broken plastic parts also check the seat for it inside the filter box aswell as the intake tube for holes and cracks. I'd then re-assemble it fill it with water then turn it on and see what happens. most HOB filters will make a noise if they can't suck water, could be that the impeller has simple warn out and is wobbling alil on it's shaft and by filling it with water first will help it make suction. if the intake tube doesn't have a hole or crack making it so it's sucking air then replace the impeller. __________________ 10gal.- Planted Anubias Lanceolota, Water Wistera, 4 Blue platy's, 1 Male Phantom Tetra, 2 Female Phantom tetras, 1 Upside Down Cat, 1 Blue Gourami. 20gal.- Planted Anubias Lanceolota, Water Wisteria. 1 Gold Gourami, 1 Giant Danio, 6 White Clouds, 2 Bristle Nose Pleco's.

11-20-2009, 06:52 AM	#3
phin Teenie Weenie Fish Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 96	Thanks. I checked the impeller carefully and the plastic sheath around the metal pin is cracked and broken. Upon closer inspection this is causing the impeller to wobble and not spin nicely. Thanks for the info, going to get a new impleller now. __________________ 18 gallon tall 6 neon tetras 1 black neon tetra 2 cherry spot rasboras ghost shrimp Anubias bartari Anubias nana Java Fern Hygrophila polysperma Red cryptocoryne Cryptocoryne lueta Cryptocoryne wendtii (bronze wendtii) Java Moss lots of driftwood

11-20-2009, 10:40 AM	#4
stoddern Little Fish Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Vermont Posts: 139	that'll definatly make a nice grinding noise, a new impeller should do wonders and I bet it'll be alot less noisy __________________ 10gal.- Planted Anubias Lanceolota, Water Wistera, 4 Blue platy's, 1 Male Phantom Tetra, 2 Female Phantom tetras, 1 Upside Down Cat, 1 Blue Gourami. 20gal.- Planted Anubias Lanceolota, Water Wisteria. 1 Gold Gourami, 1 Giant Danio, 6 White Clouds, 2 Bristle Nose Pleco's.

11-22-2009, 07:25 PM	#5
Alexis and Zollzi Teenie Weenie Fish Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 17	Once you get a new one it should sound less nosy. I have tetra Filters and they made a bit of noise but you will get use to it. If I get my ten gallon tank going with some community fish I will have two filters going everyday in my bedroom. __________________ 3 Gallon Tank 1 Betta-Siamese Fighting Fish-William Shakespeare 10 Gallon Tank Empty-In need of a fish community