New FX6 noisy. Is this normal????

[Galactik]

Hi

I just went to petsmart and got an FX6 that was on sale but after setting up, I noticed it has a pretty loud hum. I think its coming from the motor but I'm not sure.

Is this normal for these??

I've never had a canister this loud before. Sounds much louder than an old airpump I have.

Does anyone have any tips? Maybe I got a dud?

 

[Jexnell]

Did you fill up the can with tank water before you started it up? That is the only "priming" they need. It will fill up the hoses itself and work out any air in the can/hoses.

 

[Jexnell]

Hoses connected to the right ports on the can?
Are the valves open?

 

[TwoHedWlf]

Hi

I just went to petsmart and got an FX6 that was on sale but after setting up, I noticed it has a pretty loud hum. I think its coming from the motor but I'm not sure.

Is this normal for these??

I've never had a canister this loud before. Sounds much louder than an old airpump I have.

Does anyone have any tips? Maybe I got a dud?

If it's louder than an airpump then I'd say there's definitely something wrong. I'd expect it to have a bit of a hum, but not nearly as loud as even the quietest airpump I've heard. I have an FX5, which is pretty similar. I can't hear it over the sound of my PC sitting next to it.

 

[Galactik]

I'm calling them today to check.

All valves are open, no air is trapped. And it seems to be working fine noise aside.

I took the motor apart last night to clean it thinking it could have been particles from the media but nothing.

I left it running all night hoping it would sort itself out but it was just as loud this morning.

 

[Backfromthedead]

I would say you got a lemon.

My fx6 was quiet for over a year, but now is unbearably loud. Its collecting dust in my garage now. While the filter still works well, i theorize that the fluval pumps used on current models are not the best quality and the impellers wear out quickly.

 

[TwoHedWlf]

I would say you got a lemon.

My fx6 was quiet for over a year, but now is unbearably loud. Its collecting dust in my garage now. While the filter still works well, i theorize that the fluval pumps used on current models are not the best quality and the impellers wear out quickly.

They're identical to the FX5s, I think? Mine's about 4-5 years old and I've seen no evidence of wear. I find most do actually get a little bit quieter after running for a few days though. I suspect it's something like a buildup of biofilm muffling the rattling a little, maybe tighening up some tolerances. Seems to do it on old used pumps that have been sitting around for a while too. But...That's just going from a little bit rattly to a little less rattly. And...Might be in my head.

 

[Galactik]

Thank you for the advice. I just got a replacement today and it's much much quieter.

Still not as quiet as an eheim but I think I can work with it now.

 

[Mdoka]

I would say you got a lemon.

My fx6 was quiet for over a year, but now is unbearably loud. Its collecting dust in my garage now. While the filter still works well, i theorize that the fluval pumps used on current models are not the best quality and the impellers wear out quickly.

I’ll pay the shipping, dust and all if you want more garage space.

Thank you for the advice. I just got a replacement today and it's much much quieter.

Still not as quiet as an eheim but I think I can work with it now.

Glad you got a replacement. I’ve found the little pads on the bottom are crap and you will get a lot of noise from those also. I put a piece of the thin foam no slip shelf liner under mine and it helps a ton.