Wav noise reduction

[Nathan Milender]

I am setting up a 125. Bought a new apex El, but found a wav 2 pack used. They are loud over 50% output, louder than an airstone. I actually have a large air pump running in the room cycling my QT tank and I can hear the hum over that. If I turn them down the noise goes away, and maybe they will not need to run that hard for the actual tank. Seriously though, does anyone have any tips for noise reduction. I already disassembled, soak in vinegar, and scrubbed. Options I am considering, they are sensitive to where you place them, need new impellers, or they are just a dang loud powerhead.

 

[ca1ore]

I’ve had a bunch and the actual pumps are completely silent. I suspect your issue is that the cords transit vibration and will buzz. I had this issue. Just requires careful placement of the cords. I had suggested to Neptune a while back that they should put a couple of sliding rubber grommets on the cord, but I think they just ignored me. If it really is the actual pump making noise then they are either defective or need serious cleaning. WAV is not something I’d buy used, particularly since they have had a tendency to short out. Hope you paid less than half.

 

[Nathan Milender]

I’ve had a bunch and the actual pumps are completely silent. I suspect your issue is that the cords transit vibration and will buzz. I had this issue. Just requires careful placement of the cords. I had suggested to Neptune a while back that they should put a couple of sliding rubber grommets on the cord, but I think they just ignored me. If it really is the actual pump making noise then they are either defective or need serious cleaning. WAV is not something I’d buy used, particularly since they have had a tendency to short out. Hope you paid less than half.

Thanks for the info, paid about 2/3 for less than 1 yr old, hope I did not get screwed. I thought it would be quality and last a long time. It appears as I read more and more that nothing really lasts from any brand regardless of price.

I do feel vibration in the cord. The only thing it touches is the tank and the underside of the stand. I can try to buffer the locations it touches. I have to admit I was surprised to have the noise. I was thinking no way they could sell these making this much noise.

 

[ca1ore]

They are good pumps, just a little twitchy. If you have to call for support don’t tell them you are not the original owner LOL. Neptune should note the cord vibration in the instructions - I had suggested this too .... and ignored too. Oh well. Something about leading a horse to water ....

 

[Flippers4pups]

Thanks for the info, paid about 2/3 for less than 1 yr old, hope I did not get screwed. I thought it would be quality and last a long time. It appears as I read more and more that nothing really lasts from any brand regardless of price.

I do feel vibration in the cord. The only thing it touches is the tank and the underside of the stand. I can try to buffer the locations it touches. I have to admit I was surprised to have the noise. I was thinking no way they could sell these making this much noise.

Try switching impellers from one to another. Worth a try.

 

[Epic Aquaculture]

I’ve had a bunch and the actual pumps are completely silent. I suspect your issue is that the cords transit vibration and will buzz. I had this issue. Just requires careful placement of the cords. I had suggested to Neptune a while back that they should put a couple of sliding rubber grommets on the cord, but I think they just ignored me. If it really is the actual pump making noise then they are either defective or need serious cleaning. WAV is not something I’d buy used, particularly since they have had a tendency to short out. Hope you paid less than half.

Yes, it's likely the vibration. Try adjusting the cords. This happened to me with one of my brand new ones - only the one on the left side. I cleaned the heck out of it, and couldn't figure it out, then I accidentally moved the cord, and realized that the noise was gone. Now both of mine are silent even at 100%

 

[Nathan Milender]

Alright, it's good to hear the pumps are decent and there are options. I put some aquamesh bushings in to see if it helps. If it does now I will can try to clean again. I really did not get much out of them cleaning, a little dark green algae was it. Both of the impellers had small burrs on the outbound side (top) of the black base. I can just imagine being a fish in there listening to that for my entire life.

 

[Nathan Milender]

Ok, if anyone is following this thread, the aquamesh did quiet them down. After running for a few days they seem even quieter. Makes me wonder if they were dry too long and needed to reset or something. I have them running about 50% with default apex setting and some random button pushing. I fear to turn them up as they have one mode that makes fairly large waves in the tanks. Appears to be resolved. Now I just need to read up on where they should be placed and how they should be programmed. Some of these things seem to provide too many options.

 

[Jesse Sunday]

Alright, it's good to hear the pumps are decent and there are options. I put some aquamesh bushings in to see if it helps. If it does now I will can try to clean again. I really did not get much out of them cleaning, a little dark green algae was it. Both of the impellers had small burrs on the outbound side (top) of the black base. I can just imagine being a fish in there listening to that for my entire life.

I'm sorry for the dumb question on a REALLY old post... but what are "aquamesh bushings" and where did you put them in the WAVs?