I have a fluval 406 for a turtle tank (65 gal) and the last time I cleaned it, when I started it back up it started making bubbling hissing noises. We have checked all parts and they are on correctly. Any one have any idea how to fix it. The turtle is 13 inches and she knocks it around playing with it, but the noise is driving us crazy. I bought the filter in august of 2012 and have not had to many problems with it other than the plunger stick breaks very easy. I have a fluval 406 for a turtle tank (65 gal) and the last time I cleaned it, when I started it back up it started making bubbling hissing noises. We have checked all parts and they are on... » Read More I have a fluval 406 for a turtle tank (65 gal) and the last time I cleaned it, when I started it back up it started making bubbling hissing noises. We have checked all parts and they are on correctly. Any one have any idea how to fix it. The turtle is 13 inches and she knocks it around playing with it, but the noise is driving us crazy. I bought the filter in august of 2012 and have not had to many problems with it other than the plunger stick breaks very easy. « Show Less
851196
My thought would be it's getting air either on the inlet or outlet tube where it goes into your turtle tank. Or the seal where the red handle is on top is going bad
851197
The only thing I could suggest, is make sure it is full of water before re-hooking it up, and fill each chamber with angle hair to keep loose materials from moving around and making noise. I put my system on a cheap timer, so my tank is quite and dark, at night.
221324
sounds like the motor is crapping out. i used this thing for a short time and didnt like it and went back to old faithful "whisper 60s", they last forever, work great, are mostly quiet, gotta pull em apart and clean up good every once and a while but they really are the best hang on filters u can get. ive been in saltwater forever and have used EVERYTHING you can imagine, stick with whispers..
166083
Hissing may be water inside the innards where it shouln't be. I would return it for an exchange if I were you. I hope you kept the packaging!!!! Call them first to tell them you are sending it back. This device should not make hissing sounds--loud motor noise seems to be the norm, though! --SuAnn
2045260
The best advice I can give you is to buy a different tank. I have come to hate this tank and have bought a different one.
131331
I have not had a terribly good experience with this item so far. I've been battling ammonia issues in my 20 gal tank for weeks. I've cut back on feeding, the livestock is minimal at this point, and I've done water changes regularly. The tank had turned over nicely early on and replacement water is 0% ammonia, but testing indicates a really nasty ammonia issue inside the tank. I've been running this ammonia remover for 8 weeks now and I have not gotten any good results with it. I vacuum detritus during water changes and cannot figure out why this stuff won't work at all, but I will keep trying. Best of luck to others as I do not know what I might be doing wrong. I have not had a terribly good experience with this item so far. I've been battling ammonia issues in my 20 gal tank for weeks. I've cut back on feeding, the livestock is minimal at this point, and I've done water changes regularly. The tank had turned over nicely early on and replacement water is 0% ammonia, but testing indicates a really nasty ammonia issue inside the tank. I've been running this ammonia remover for 8 weeks now and I have not gotten any good results with it. I vacuum detritus during water changes and cannot figure out why this stuff won't work at all, but I will keep... » Read More I have not had a terribly good experience with this item so far. I've been battling ammonia issues in my 20 gal tank for weeks. I've cut back on feeding, the livestock is minimal at this point, and I've done water changes regularly. The tank had turned over nicely early on and replacement water is 0% ammonia, but testing indicates a really nasty ammonia issue inside the tank. I've been running this ammonia remover for 8 weeks now and I have not gotten any good results with it. I vacuum detritus during water changes and cannot figure out why this stuff won't work at all, but I will keep trying. Best of luck to others as I do not know what I might be doing wrong. « Show Less
1509222
Hagen makes the Fluval line of pump filters. They should have parts search by model I suspect, but if the unit is not that old (less than a couple years) the ring gasket may not be set in the groove correctly before clamped down.
70813
Try running it without the long suction tube in place. Just fill the reserve with water so you can see if there's a problem with the impeller blade. When it's noisy, that usually means you have a pocket of air caught at the impeller, and by removing the long tube, this won't be possible.If it's still noisy after about 10 seconds, you have a bad Tetra.
1591196
Your water tube is NOT far enough in the filter pump! Mine does the same thing after I clean it, makes a hell of a racket! Then I just 'bump' it down gently but firmly and the noise stops!! Just make sure that the wheel is set properly into the pump motor. That should resolve the noise problem!
125477
Save your money!! I had the same problem and the assassin snails did nothing. The only answer is a total tank breakdown. Dispose of the gravel and clean out the filter really well. Go with artificial plants-- it's the only way to prevent snail issues.
1356723
I bought two and put in the bottom of a 55 gallon tank. Since installing the filters there has been quite a build-up of ??? on the top of the gravel.It is white and stringy (?) and very hard to clean out because of the tank depth! I have had MUCH better luck keeping the tank clean by installing two flow through filters and extending one of the intakes as close to the bottom as possible. If I had it to do over again I would NOT have gotten the under gravel systems.
1219871
I think you must be doing something wrong. I never had any trouble, and I've recharged them a bunch of times. I gave mine a really good workout, too, because I had a turtle, and they are very, very nasty animals...hard to keep. Mine was a rescue, but after a year and a half I released him back into the wild in the ultimate pond! I swear by the Seachem pouches. Try soaking them longer and see if that helps. I made sure to always have a spare, too. Also, are you sure you're using the Prime to treat yours after the bleach soaking? Make sure you use enough of the Prime, too. Good luck! I hope this was helpful. I think you must be doing something wrong. I never had any trouble, and I've recharged them a bunch of times. I gave mine a really good workout, too, because I had a turtle, and they are very, very nasty animals...hard to keep. Mine was a rescue, but after a year and a half I released him back into the wild in the ultimate pond! I swear by the Seachem pouches. Try soaking them longer and see if that helps. I made sure to always have a spare, too. Also, are you sure you're using the Prime to treat yours after the bleach soaking? Make sure you use enough of the Prime, too. Good luck! I hope... » Read More I think you must be doing something wrong. I never had any trouble, and I've recharged them a bunch of times. I gave mine a really good workout, too, because I had a turtle, and they are very, very nasty animals...hard to keep. Mine was a rescue, but after a year and a half I released him back into the wild in the ultimate pond! I swear by the Seachem pouches. Try soaking them longer and see if that helps. I made sure to always have a spare, too. Also, are you sure you're using the Prime to treat yours after the bleach soaking? Make sure you use enough of the Prime, too. Good luck! I hope this was helpful. « Show Less
1858760
This is my first fx6 however I have owned fluval canisters before and have never had an issue. My fluval 405 has been running for years with no issues and its nowhere near as nice as the fx6. The parts are good quality. Seam like they are built to last not to mention you can get replacement parts really easily. Hope this helps.
608233
I'm having the same problem and haven't figured it out yet. I've had this skimmer for over a month now and so far, it's useless. If you get a good answer, please let me know.
1720681
If your problem is occurring even with the temperature low AND your tank is older, it is possible that the heating coils within the heater are deteriorating. This exposed "hot spots" that boil the water even if your temperature is low. Or...the thermostat is broken and on "high". This has finally happened to mine and I get noise and sputtering even at the lowest setting. Time for a new tank for me. Mine lasted 10 years.
1686892
I had this filter for a five gallon tank as a secondary filter. Mine started making noise as well, so I changed the filter. I did find that the lower it was in the wate::r the less noise it made. However the noise eventually got worse and became annoying, no matter what I tried! It may be better for 3 gallons or less. But I was dissatisfied with it. I hope this helps!
1170995
I spoke to Watts about this issue. They said the noise is related to water passing through the membrane. I am still looking into it, but the noise is not constant in our case.
993004
Send it back! It's so easy to use that you shouldn't have this problem at all. As long as there is water in the correct tank and you are hitting the trigger button, it should work. Double check that you set it up correctly and there isn't anything clogging it. Then send it back.