Humming powerhead.

[Hokum]

I've setup my Aquaclear 50 and river manifold, i decided to cover the tubes rather than route them above the water line. The AC (aquaclear) is attached via the bottom with the adapter cut and slipped over the 22mm tubing, this is then stuck to the side of the tank with the included mount. But i've noticed a low frequency hum since adding it. It isn't always intrusive if the TV is on but it’s obvious if the room is quiet.

Is there a way to make it less annoying?

[cloudhands]

Our powerheads-on-manifolds were horribly hummy. Out of everything I tried, there were two things that helped the most:

1: Isolate the powerhead from the manifold with a length of rubber hose. The rubber absorbs a lot of vibration.

2: Contrary to others' experience, I actually found that isolating the powerheads from the glass gave much better results. In a previous thread I was advised to make sure the powerheads were stuck firmly to the glass, which is how the setup is intended. After doing 1, above, I found that having them just sitting on the rubber hose was the best.

[Diana]

Ditto: The hum of the powerheads is magnified by the glass of the tanks.
If the suction cup attachment is used it works pretty well. The hang on the tank style does not help with the noise. My PH are connected via some vinyl tubing to the PVC to make the size fit (PVC to PH was not quite right) so I inadvertently got some quieting that way.
The parts are very old, and the suction cups do not always hold. When they fail, the frame slips down and the PH leans against the glass. Then I really hear it!

[Martin Thoene]

Yeah, the problem is that the suction cups harden in time and stop suctioning. Then (certainly on Aquaclears) the mounting plate slides off the powerhead. During the hardening process the powerheads become ever noisier. It kind of builds up gradually until one day you just realize how darned noisey it got

Only cure is regular sucker replacement.

Martin.

[Hokum]

Hmm, well its a new AC50 which is using the default black adapter cut to fit the 22mm tubing. I'm using the sucker glass attachment but it’s just a constant low frequency hum.

I've tried moving things a bit and re sticking it but no difference.

Would the vibration bother the fish?