I have never heard any of these filters run. So, I asked my LFS if they knew how loud they were. They said that they have never heard them run either. I have only heard Aquaclears (they seem to be getting noisier), Rena XPs and Penn Plax Cascade HOBs. I am really curious, how loud are these filters from the motor and splashing they make?
Emperor/Penguin Noise Level?
- Thread starter water_wako
- Start date
As far as splashing, that all depends on water level. If you keep your level at the top of the tank, that won't be an issue noise-wise. I have found that Emperors make a little more noise than Penguins, and it comes and goes with cleaning or lack thereof. In fact, I think they run a little quieter when they are fairly "gunked up" than they do when the impeller and housings, etc have been cleaned. They generally do make more noise than say an XP3, Eheim, or like canister, but not terrible. I'm watching TV with two emperors running on the tank behind me right now, and can barely hear them running.
I have 4 Penguins running at the moment, all quiet as long as the tanks stay full, otherwise there's a slight splashing sound from the bio wheels........
I have 2 emperor 400's, Penguin 100, Penguin 150. I never hear them running nor do I hear splashing water if I keep the water level high. If the water level drops significantly I hear the splashing but it is not distracting unless the water gets real low. I also have 3 AC110 and 1 AC500 (older model of 110), AC70, and I rarely ever hear them either. Once in a while one of the AC lids might vibrate a bit but a quick adjustment stops it for another week. (Sometimes I don't get it on quite right after cleaning).
As far as the splashing noise I can say the same thing about all my other filters. Water height determines if I hear splashing or not. Never heard any motor noise from any of them. I do have 2 Whisper 60's that are noisy so I don't use them and keep for spares.
As far as the splashing noise I can say the same thing about all my other filters. Water height determines if I hear splashing or not. Never heard any motor noise from any of them. I do have 2 Whisper 60's that are noisy so I don't use them and keep for spares.
I have a penguin 150 that I run with another whisper filter. The penguin tends to make a lot more noise unless I keep the water level to the very top. This has been a problem since with a higher water level my fish tend to hit the hood more. My husband has had to unplug it at night so he can sleep, the tank is in the living room. I have heard lots of great things about this brand but I've been very disappointed(not just with the noise). My cheaper filter has ended up working way better (and quieter).
So, if the water is at the highest it can be, the filter is almost silent or is it going to be too noisy for a filter in a bedroom?
The Penguin 350 I have is quiet enough to run in the bedroom. You would just hear a subtle gurgling sound of water movement. It sounds soothing to my ears.
I also have an Emperer 280 which is much noisier than the Penguin.
I also have an Emperer 280 which is much noisier than the Penguin.
I buy a lot of used tanks and always ask the seller at pick up if they have any other old fish stuff about that they want to get rid of. Sometimes its a goldmine ($100 52g. Oceanic w/ stand & the stand had 2 A.C.110's , 2 jager htrs. and 5g. bkt. of plastic plants), and sometimes I end up with burned up junk, but I always feel compelled to try and fix it.
I've developed a bit of a regimen that seems to save time and resolve a lot of issues with out getting too crazy.
1st I rinse everything with the garden hose and then separate the motors. From there I give everything a soap and water scrub and then drop anything with stubborn mineralization, as well as the impellers, into a bucket of vinegar and water to soak over night.
Rinse in tap water after removing from the vinegar solution and reassemble to see how it works. I always check the impellers with a magnifier, 'cuz I'm that old, and make sure that all of the stray filter/floss material gets removed and inspect the magnet for concentricity and the shaft for scoring, bends, etc.
Normally that and maybe a dab of silicon grease and they're off and running...quietly.
I've developed a bit of a regimen that seems to save time and resolve a lot of issues with out getting too crazy.
1st I rinse everything with the garden hose and then separate the motors. From there I give everything a soap and water scrub and then drop anything with stubborn mineralization, as well as the impellers, into a bucket of vinegar and water to soak over night.
Rinse in tap water after removing from the vinegar solution and reassemble to see how it works. I always check the impellers with a magnifier, 'cuz I'm that old, and make sure that all of the stray filter/floss material gets removed and inspect the magnet for concentricity and the shaft for scoring, bends, etc.
Normally that and maybe a dab of silicon grease and they're off and running...quietly.
I have both a Emperor 280, and a Penguin 350. Both are as silent as can be. No motor noise. There is a waterfall sound when I let the tanks get a little low, but it's a white noise and I almost miss it when it's gone. These filters are fine to use in the bedroom.