Bubble Magus Curve 9 Unbearably Loud

incloud design · Oct 20, 2018

Hey guys, I am in the process of setting up my Reefer 450 and have a new Bubble Magus Curve 9. My Reefer is dead silent to the point you can't tell it's running unless you put your head next to it. I have been trying to get my BM skimmer to break in and was hopeful it would quiet down. After running for a few days and annoying everyone in the house it is unbearably loud and has a nasty humming that will not stop. I have tried everything and can't imagine that anyone would tolerate this noise or that Bubble Magus would release a product this loud. If anyone has any tips or suggestions beyond getting another skimmer please let me know. Unfortunately this skimmer is new but was purchased by a previous owner some time ago so a refund or exchange is not possible. Thanks in advance for any and all replies.

Any suggestions for a quieter pump are also welcome. A nice DC pump would be great as they are incredibly quiet. Thanks!

cromag27 · Oct 20, 2018

take it apart and inspect the impeller. check for cracks, chips and swelling. other than a breaking in period, it should be very silent. also make sure you’re running the correct water depth for it.

incloud design · Oct 20, 2018

cromag27 said:
take it apart and inspect the impeller. check for cracks, chips and swelling. other than a breaking in period, it should be very silent. also make sure you’re running the correct water depth for it.

I'll take it apart but sad that it would have to be rebuilt when it was never used. Would you happen to know of where to get a replacement impeller for the SP4000 or even how to use a different pump with the Bubble Magus? I'm not sure what pumps would work without modification but I've had an excellent experience with Jebao pumps and they are completely silent at a low price.

DSC reef · Oct 20, 2018

You can find the impeller on amazon for around 50 dollars I believe, if you need one.

incloud design · Oct 20, 2018

DSC reef said:
You can find the impeller on amazon for around 50 dollars I believe, if you need one.

That was easy enough. Thanks for the response and link is below for anyone looking in the future.

Bubble Magus Curve 9 Impeller (SP4000)

scurvy dawg · Oct 21, 2018

incloud design said:
Hey guys, I am in the process of setting up my Reefer 450 and have a new Bubble Magus Curve 9. My Reefer is dead silent to the point you can't tell it's running unless you put your head next to it. I have been trying to get my BM skimmer to break in and was hopeful it would quiet down. After running for a few days and annoying everyone in the house it is unbearably loud and has a nasty humming that will not stop. I have tried everything and can't imagine that anyone would tolerate this noise or that Bubble Magus would release a product this loud. If anyone has any tips or suggestions beyond getting another skimmer please let me know. Unfortunately this skimmer is new but was purchased by a previous owner some time ago so a refund or exchange is not possible. Thanks in advance for any and all replies.

Any suggestions for a quieter pump are also welcome. A nice DC pump would be great as they are incredibly quiet. Thanks!

Not sure where your sound is coming from, but on my BM Curve 5, I was not happy with the noise it was making. I ended up connecting a hose from the muffler out the back of my stand. Now it is dead silent.

theMeat · Oct 21, 2018

Is something wrong or is it the air going into skimmer that you hear?

incloud design · Oct 21, 2018

scurvy dawg said:
Not sure where your sound is coming from, but on my BM Curve 5, I was not happy with the noise it was making. I ended up connecting a hose from the muffler out the back of my stand. Now it is dead silent.

It's the pump for sure. Nothing apparent wrong with the impeller.

Mike1995 · Oct 21, 2018

If need be BM sells skimmer pumps . My curve 5 is very quiet. I'd have to stick my head in the sump to hear it .

incloud design · Oct 21, 2018

Mike1995 said:
If need be BM sells skimmer pumps . My curve 5 is very quiet. I'd have to stick my head in the sump to hear it .

Worse case I guess. Thanks!

RyanHoan · Jun 28, 2021

Bumping this. I just turned on my brand new Curve 7 and it's literally as loud as a vacuum cleaner. What the heck!

I'll take it apart tonight to see if the fixes anything