Noisy Emperor 400

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J

Jmart159

Piranha
MFK Member
Jul 13, 2009
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Tampa, Florida
My HOB, an Emperor 400, has become extremely noisy over the last couple weeks. It has started make a pulsating, grinding or slurping sound. Also, I've noticed that over time the water flow from my filters has lessened. What would cause this? Is there anything I can do to fix this? I've got several other HOBs running throughout my house and I've noticed that over time they have all gotten just a little louder and slower but this one is newer than most and has gotten quite bad, relatively quickly. Thanks in advance

Jmart
 
I cleaned it. Now it is more quiet. However, it still seems like it isn't circulating water the way it use to. I feel like it use to really push some water and now it is a little more than a trickle.
 
The kids going off to college or a divorce will cause filters to suddenly become quite a bit noisier! ;)

Seriously, there is an adjustment gate on my Emperor 400. It seems like I pull up the gate to increase the flow and lower the gate to reduce the flow. Maybe you inadvertently knocked it and changed the flow rate? If that doesn't solve your flow problem remove the filter media and see if the flow returns to what you remember. If it does work backwards by adding the media pads back one at a time to see if one or more of the pads is significantly reducing the flow.
 
my old 280 does this... especially when i do a water change and the water level is low. Does it make the noise when you turn down the flow rate? Otherwise i would just try cleaning it.
 
Was the magnet on the impeller in good shape? iirc there is an old and an "improved" impeller set-up on these filters. //sometimes if you have the older impeller itll rub on the housing causing noise and reduced flow. Also sometimes the impeller housing assembly can be a pain to get to settle down all the way. Push down on the back and see if it quiets. If it does, your not quite lined up.
 
When I cleaned it, I got a lot of loose carbon out. Now it is quiet again, barely even a purr. The flow hasn't increased any though. As far as messing with the flow adjustment goes, the model that I have has none. Also, I don't use the filter inserts anymore. I have traded them out for the white filter media and I use a bag if I ever need to add carbon.
 
Is the flow low even without filter media in it?

How old is the filter? I don't remember seeing an Emperor 400 without the flow control lever>
 
U have to clean the tubes as well! They build up with gunk, and when the filter pads get dirty they slow the flow!

#1 S. Vettel
 
I have found that fluvals products are hit of miss. Ive had problems with 400 being loud and ive had some old ones stay quiet for years. They also have big problems with micro bubbles on their Fx5. They also had problems with their 404 canisters tops poping off durring power shortages. Im trying to get away from fluval. Its hard because they have some high flow filter for realativly cheep.

Best answer.....enhim canister. Give up on HOB filters. Canisters are so much better.

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