Fluval FX5/FX6 noisy impeller ( problem ) possible fix

[crowndroyal]

So I had some problems with a really noisy impeller in a  FX5  and below is the problems and possible fixes.

[crowndroyal]

Mar 29, 2016 20:08:51 GMT -5 Mastiffman/ Duramax7Man7 said:

Mar 29, 2016 19:37:02 GMT -5 crowndroyal said:

Ill try setting it up again .

this is the only one I have ever had problems with its always making noise I have checked the impeller etc etc and it will always make noise all my other ones were silent.

There's also a chance that you may have a slightly loose lid lock. That would let air in and cancel out the air purge cycle each time by allowing more air in.

Mar 29, 2016 21:08:47 GMT -5 crowndroyal said:

Well I have noticed that there is some gaps on the lid near the outside edges

Mar 29, 2016 22:57:03 GMT -5 Mastiffman/ Duramax7Man7 said:

I'm betting that's your issue. Tighten them down a bit Snug. But don't break the plastic nuts on the bottom of the lock. You should hear improved decrease in sound from the unit in a day or two max if that was the issue.

Mar 30, 2016 17:10:24 GMT -5 crowndroyal said:

Mar 29, 2016 22:57:03 GMT -5 Mastiffman/ Duramax7Man7 said:

I'm betting that's your issue. Tighten them down a bit Snug. But don't break the plastic nuts on the bottom of the lock. You should hear improved decrease in sound from the unit in a day or two max if that was the issue.

Ya the gap is where the edge of the lid and the top of the canister meet. I have tightened them down pretty darn tight but there still seems to be a gap on the one side.

I can take some pictures if you like.

Mar 30, 2016 18:05:19 GMT -5 Mastiffman/ Duramax7Man7 said:

Gotcha. Yeah snap a pic and upload it using the "attachment" button after using the brown w/ yellow lettering "Reply" button at the bottom right of the thread.

Mar 30, 2016 19:06:23 GMT -5 crowndroyal said:

Here are my pics 

Mar 30, 2016 23:45:17 GMT -5 Mastiffman/ Duramax7Man7 said:

I wonder if there is air leaking through. It does seem a bit warped almost. I wonder if you need a new lid gasket? How long have you had this unit? You can purchase the gasket online.

Mar 31, 2016 17:51:52 GMT -5 Mastiffman/ Duramax7Man7 said:

What are the step you take to set it up, prime it and run it?

I always make sure that it's at least 1/2 full. Then I connect the hoses and open the intake first which causes pressure inside and then when you open the output valve, the air is forced out and then water pulled in from the tank via in the intake hose.

I wait until the water is done being siphoned from the tank to the filter and air stops being push and it's quiet. THEN I turn it on.

I've noticed that when I clean the sponges, sometimes it will be a bit noisy for a day and then will be quiet the next day, no micro-bubbles or anything.

P.S. Micro-bubbles are typically caused from heavily soiled media.

Mar 31, 2016 18:30:31 GMT -5 crowndroyal said:

Ya but it cant be from soiled media as I have only set it up a week at a time , thinking maybe this time it will be quiet. 

here are my steps

BioPro Bakki balls ( 30 PPI poret foam  ontop ) 
media in middle tray  ( carbon, zeolite,oyster shell ) Zeolite is the ammonia remover 
top tray is just a poret foam that's 20 PPI the full depth of the tray.

place all baskets in 
fill filter 3/4 way up
place lid on ( tighten in a bolt pattern procedure Picture below ) 


Place on hoses with valves shut
open intake and out a tiny bit 
let fill 
plug in 

Mar 31, 2016 18:47:29 GMT -5 Mastiffman/ Duramax7Man7 said:

Gotcha. Can you record a bit of the sound and post that? It just sounds like a watery running water noise or something else?

I don't tighten mine down in a bolting pattern as that's really only for heated metal causing expanding and contraction, ultimately warping. I tighten in a consecutive order around the lid. have you tried pulling the lids goring gasket and coating it with a silicone lube or even Vaseline?

Mar 31, 2016 19:34:19 GMT -5 crowndroyal said:

The noise is kinda like these two.

but my filter does not do the pulsing flow problem

Mar 31, 2016 20:46:54 GMT -5 crowndroyal said:

I may have found the problem.

there appears to be some wear on parts of the motor which is very odd considering it is a brand new filter and only used a total of 4 weeks tops.

and that 4 weeks was not even a full 4 weeks it was split into 4 different weeks through out the year , 4 times of me trying to get it not to sound loud.

 Piece above the magnet is to lose so the magnet needs to be pushed up the shaft to stop the rocking or imbalance of the impeller spinning ( kinda like how a washing machine sometimes gets out of balance )

Apr 1, 2016 15:14:37 GMT -5 crowndroyal said:

I will upload a small video of it running dry. 

I was not sure about the big black housing, is it supposed to move up and down the ceramic shaft ? 
because mine seems really lose and bends or shifts in different directions. 

I may try this 

Apr 1, 2016 17:07:38 GMT -5 crowndroyal said:

Ok so here is two videos.  I tried to post them using the video insert tab but they didnt show up.


vid.me/VeJf
vid.me/VeJf

vid.me/Y2hU
vid.me/Y2hU

Apr 2, 2016 15:52:39 GMT -5 crowndroyal said:

So  a Major update on my FX5 , I moved the magnet farther up the ceramic shaft and it is quieter then a mouse , the only noise I hear atm is from water being pulled into the hose at the top of the canister I am sure that will quiet down a after awhile. 

I can update this later if everything stays good. 

What I did to move the magnet up the shaft was put two ratchet sockets on either end of the impeller then slowly squeezed a vice till the magnet slid up the shaft and left about 1/4" gap between the bottom plastic spacer and the magnet. 

[crowndroyal]

After 1 full week I now hear nothing at all just like it was supposed to be like, No water sounds moving around all air is out everything is perfect.

I did make my own intake tube as I do not like the telescopic one my next project is a spray bar which I am doing two different ones.

1) I will be making 1/2" slots that are about a 16th wide with the manual mill at work.
2) The more expensive route but more custom and adjustable route , I will be drilling and taping some holes for line lock bits to be screwed into the bar then adding in some small nozzles a few round ones and and few flat type ones.

[Mastiffman/ Duramax7Man7]

Ah nice. I totally forgot about moving all this with the Photo Contest and all. Very sorry.

Nice work though. This was some nice info!

[heidi]

Hi.

How did you move the magnet up on the ceramic shaft? It is very firm on mine...

(Sorry for my bad english.)

/Heidi :-)