HoosierJeff

Greetings, folks. Still trying to solve some filtration frustrations. Have a couple 10 gallons in bedrooms and a 5 gallon nano tank I am reconsidering filtration on. Currently using sponge filters but hate the air pump noises and think some flow would be nice. One of the 10 gallons is home to betta, so adjustable flow is a must. Tried and returned two Tidal 35’s because of impeller racket. Searched even sent me a replacement impeller that made no difference. Have a Tetra Whisper IQ 30 on my 20 gallon and it is nice and quiet. Tried the 20 gallon model and it wasn’t anywhere near as quiet. I’d really like the motor to be in the tank, though silence without that feature is worth it. What should I try, folks?! Thanks for your input!

Thank you for sharing this! Really helpful.

Thanks! I've tried these Tetra filters. The 30 gallon one is running silently and beautifully on my 20 gallon tank. Tried the 20 gallon model on a different 10 gallon tank, and it made a horrible but subtle buzz/hum sound that I couldn't handle. Returned it and am back to a sponge filter in that tank using this Hygger pump (the 2w version.) It is MUCH quieter than the Tetra Whisper pump I'd tried. Curious to see how it does over time.

Thank you! That looks like a good option for me to check out. Thanks so much for the recommendation! Yes! I've watched this video and seems to be the only real solution out there. I'm not comfortable stuffing the pump housing with batting or other material (as some videos shows), but have tried this. Did it with the little nano USB ones, and it helped some. Haven't tried it with a larger pump yet, but I appreciate you sending this along!

Interesting option! Thanks for the suggestion.

Thank you for that! So tiny. Do you have any experience with that model?

Thanks for the link to this! Makes a ton of sense. I had always thought the water in the filter when the power goes out should be sufficient, but, then again, I’m new to the hobby, so thought maybe there was more to it. That said, I do *really* appreciate the noise reduction of having the motor and what-not in the tank rather than where I hear it more.

Thank you all for the input so far! This is helpful.

Folks - I’m in the market for small, quiet HOB filters for two tanks (5 gallon shrimp colony and 10 gallon betta tank.) The catch is we get enough short power outages that I need self-priming filters. Self-priming filters that have low enough flow for a small tank and a betta are hard to find, though. Have any recommendations? (FWIW, I’m coming from sponge filters, but I *hate* hearing the pumps (the betta tank is in my bedroom), and I’ve had enough of the nano pumps die on me, that I’m looking for a different solution.) Thanks for your help and input!