Loaches Online Forum

Well, we have clearly exceeded threshold here (have added even since my last new-tank thread ), and it is getting pretty noisy in here. Thank you Martin -- our river tank manifold is now much quieter, but there is water moving everywhere! And the hums of many motors moving it....

Any suggestions on what people have found to be the quietest filters? How about air pumps? (have some fry tanks going now with sponge filters...)

Thanks for your expertise! (wait, you all got us into this mess....)

I find air driven sponges to be quite noisy. If the water level drops all HOBs are loud with splashing. The only canisters I have are Rena XP3s, almost silent, much quieter than my computer fan but it's pretty loud. Turn up the tv & get used to asking "what did you say" often.

we don't have TV, but we do say "What did you say?" a LOT

Got a couple more Renas on the way. Just on the phone with my mum and she couldn't talk long because all the water flowing through here made her have to pee....

But for fry tanks it seems we will likely continue to use some sponge filters -- are there any air pumps that are quieter?

I have a couple of Rena Air 400's and they're very quite. They have dual air outlets too, so it's like 2 pumps in one.

I recently switched to a Rena XP4 for my 75 gallon and WOW !!!
so much more quiet than the MAgnum 350!
I have to agree that once you get to the MTS load for your space, the noise level can get a little ridiculous.
I think a lot of noise comes from air pumps, at least it does in my case.
I have three tanks in my bedroom. To me, the humming is like white noise and I actually sleep better than I used to before the tanks.
Still, I have thought about putting some of those sound absorbing tiles on the INSIDE of the tank stands to see if I can tone it down a bit.

Has anyone ever tried this?