New Eheim Pro 4+ 350 Is Noisy

I just set-up my new Eheim professional 4+ 350 (2273). I really took my time before deciding on this filter. I watched countless reviews and videos for many weeks and I went with Eheim because it was rated by many hobbyist and reviewers as the quietest one on the market. My aquarium is in my living room, where I spend most a lot of time, and I’m sitting about six feet directly in front of it, which is why it needs to be very quiet.

Well, let’s just say I am really disappointed. This filter is really noisy. There are two noises on top of another. One is a high humming, similar to the sound if a vacuum cleaner. The other one is a deeper hum, just like a noisy filter would make.

I redid the set-up twice. I changed the medias, to make sure I hadn’t put too much in. I made sure the baskets and content were in the right order. I checked the impeller. I moved the tubing to make sure they weren’t the problem. I put a thick tower underneath. I lifted the filter off the cabinet floor and in the air to see if the cabinet was the problem. I rocked it on all 4 sides to get rid of the air every time I reinstalled it. Nothing worked.

Here’s a video so you can hear it. First with the door closed, then open.

I really hate this filter but I’m stuck with it. I wish I had bought it on Amazon, they would have given me my money back, no questions asked. Now I have to return it to the store, and I suppose they’ll check it and tell me there’s nothing wrong with it.

I’m all ears for any tips.

 

WOW I have a 4+ 250 and I can't ever hear it 6 ft away or when I open the cabinet. I LOVE THAT! Sometimes I feel it to see if water is going through!!! There is probably something wrong with the impeller.

 

WOW I have a 4+ 250 and I can't ever hear it 6 ft away or when I open the cabinet. I LOVE THAT! Sometimes I feel it to see if water is going through!!! There is probably something wrong with the impeller.

I’m glad to hear ! I’m returning it tomorrow. I wish they’d let me buy another brand but if not, at least fix this one.

 

DechI , have you tried calling or emailing Eheim's customer service and ask them about the noise?

Maybe they can trouble shoot it.

They might be air in the system or the impeller isn't seated properly.

 

DechI , have you tried calling or emailing Eheim's customer service and ask them about the noise?

Maybe they can trouble shoot it.

They might be air in the system or the impeller isn't seated properly.

I did call them. The guy asked me a few questions and everything was fine in my set-up. We tried putting a thick towel underneath and it didn’t work. I had already tried lifting the filter so it wouldn’t touch the stand, same for the tubes, and that made no difference.

Eheim told me to send it back to the store. I called the store and after much talking, emailing, sending videos, they agreed to pay for it’s return and look at it.

The store checked it and they sent me a video of the filter running. Guess what ? No humming... They said it was dead silent but to me it was still noisy. Not the humming, but the operating noise.

I didn’t want it back so I tried to convince them to give me my money back. After much insisting, they offered to try and sell it as « pre-owned » and refund me. I’m hoping they sell it.

As soon as I get my money back I will buy a Fluval 307. It is more expensive, especially since I want the spray bar (sold seperately and extra 50$) but I think it’s worth it. I’ve looked at every canister on the market and Fluval is closest to my ideal product.

Let’s hope I get my money back. Meanwhile, my C4 is back on the tank.

 

Too bad about your Eheim.

Spray bars are the way to go, but $50 is crazy!

There are some YouTube videos showing different configurations of DIY spray bars.

The PVC and fittings can be painted whatever color you want with Krylon Fusion spray paint, which can be used for submerged objects. That way it blends in better with the tank.

If you can find a Hydor canister for a decent price, I can recommend those.

My Hydor 600 has been running for a year and it is still practically silent. Never had 1 issue with it. It has 5 media trays and holds around 10 quarts of media.

 

Too bad about your Eheim.

Spray bars are the way to go, but $50 is crazy!

There are some YouTube videos showing different configurations of DIY spray bars.

The PVC and fittings can be painted whatever color you want with Krylon Fusion spray paint, which can be used for submerged objects. That way it blends in better with the tank.

If you can find a Hydor canister for a decent price, I can recommend those.

My Hydor 600 has been running for a year and it is still practically silent. Never had 1 issue with it. It has 5 media trays and holds around 10 quarts of media.

I’m not handy at all, and not strong either, so I don’t think I could make one myself. And I only have basic tools, like a hammer and screwdrivers...

I did consider the Hydor and I really liked it but I scratched it off the list. If I remember correctly, I think it’s because it has no auto-prime, am I right ? I have a health condition so I need something really easy to handle and maintain, with as little human energy needed as possible.

 

Correct. Hydor canisters do not have an auto prime function.

A hang on back style filter may suit your needs better, if you need to put forth minimal effort.

There is considerably less effort to service a HOB vs a canister.

Seachem Tidal filters have the impeller assembly submerged in the water, so they will self prime every time.

The lid can be flipped upside down and serves as a no-drip tray to carry the media basket that fits into it, when it needs to be cleaned.

Here is a video on the 55 model, though the features are the same for all models.

 

Correct. Hydor canisters do not have an auto prime function.

A hang on back style filter may suit your needs better, if you need to put forth minimal effort.

There is considerably less effort to service a HOB vs a canister.

Seachem Tidal filters have the impeller assembly submerged in the water, so they will self prime every time.

The lid can be flipped upside down and serves as a no-drip tray to carry the media basket that fits into it, when it needs to be cleaned.

Here is a video on the 55 model, though the features are the same for all models.

I’m not a big fan of HOB filters but wow, this seems like a great product !

I am considering Sicce’s canister filter, the 300. There just aren’t many reviews on it and it looks like not many people use them so I’m afraid I would have trouble getting parts if I got it. And, it doesn’t have a spray bar attachment and I can’t make one myself.

With a canister filter, you can do maintenance once a mont, even once every 6-8 weeks, whereas HOB has to be done a lot more often. And I find it hard to maneuver them on top of the aquarium.

 

By the way, that is a nice looking planted tank you posted the video of.

You're right. There are pros and cons of both. I own 1 canister, 4 Aquaclear HOB's and 2 Top Fin Silenstream HOB's, plus a couple of sponge filters. All require different cleaning intervals.

What helps is I use sponge pre-filters on all of the intakes, for both the HOB's and the canister.

Some examples.....

Top Fin Silenstream Intake Assembly w/ Top Fin Sponge Filter

• Islandvic
• Dec 24, 2018

Top Fin Silenstream Intake Assembly, Top Fin Sponge Filter and zip tie (impeller is upside in...

Top Fin Silenstream w/ Sponge Pre-Filter

• Islandvic
• Dec 24, 2018

ATI Filter Max III

• Islandvic
• Nov 15, 2018

ATI Filter Max III with Aquaclear 70/110 intake tube

ATI Filter Max III assembled

• Islandvic
• Nov 15, 2018

ATI Filter Max III pre-filter coarse sponge attached to Aquaclear 70/110 intake tube

Which ever type/brand/model of filter you choose, I would highly recommend looking into the ATI Hydro Max III pre-filter (shown in pic above). It uses a 2.75" wide by 4" long coarse cylindrical sponge slipped over the assembly that attaches to almost any round ended intake tube. Assorted adapter fittings are included to match up to the intake tube.

One of these should easily fit onto the Sicce canister intake tube that you're looking at.

This catches a lot of the large muck and uneaten fish food. Fish can pick at the fish food that gets stuck to it.

Using a pre-filter keeps the media in your main filter cleaner for a longer period of time, thus can potentially extend the time interval between having to service it.

To clean the pre-fitler sponge, I learned an easy method from here on the forum. I use a gallon size ziploc back and submerge into the tank. With the filter unplugged, I slip the ziploc bag around the pre-filter and then pull it off.

This technique keeps all the muck collected on the sponge in the ziploc bag as you pull it out of the tank. Plus you have a spill proof way to bring it over to your sink or your bucket to swish around and clean.

I recommend a pre-filter of any sorts because you advised the choice of filter you make depends partially on the reduction of time/energy spent cleaning it. A pre-filter has the potential to extend the time between servicing the main filter.

Mine have never clogged or gotten to a point where it restricts flow. I generally clean them once a month, or longer, as needed.

Another benefit to using one, is it's a great place for beneficial bacteria to colonize!

 

By the way, that is a nice looking planted tank you posted the video of.

You're right. There are pros and cons of both. I own 1 canister, 4 Aquaclear HOB's and 2 Top Fin Silenstream HOB's, plus a couple of sponge filters. All require different cleaning intervals.

What helps is I use sponge pre-filters on all of the intakes, for both the HOB's and the canister.

Some examples.....

Top Fin Silenstream Intake Assembly w/ Top Fin Sponge Filter

• Islandvic
• Dec 24, 2018

Top Fin Silenstream Intake Assembly, Top Fin Sponge Filter and zip tie (impeller is upside in...

Top Fin Silenstream w/ Sponge Pre-Filter

• Islandvic
• Dec 24, 2018

ATI Filter Max III

• Islandvic
• Nov 15, 2018

ATI Filter Max III with Aquaclear 70/110 intake tube

ATI Filter Max III assembled

• Islandvic
• Nov 15, 2018

ATI Filter Max III pre-filter coarse sponge attached to Aquaclear 70/110 intake tube

Which ever type/brand/model of filter you choose, I would highly recommend looking into the ATI Hydro Max III pre-filter (shown in pic above). It uses a 2.75" wide by 4" long coarse cylindrical sponge slipped over the assembly that attaches to almost any round ended intake tube. Assorted adapter fittings are included to match up to the intake tube.

One of these should easily fit onto the Sicce canister intake tube that you're looking at.

This catches a lot of the large muck and uneaten fish food. Fish can pick at the fish food that gets stuck to it.

Using a pre-filter keeps the media in your main filter cleaner for a longer period of time, thus can potentially extend the time interval between having to service it.

To clean the pre-fitler sponge, I learned an easy method from here on the forum. I use a gallon size ziploc back and submerge into the tank. With the filter unplugged, I slip the ziploc bag around the pre-filter and then pull it off.

This technique keeps all the muck collected on the sponge in the ziploc bag as you pull it out of the tank. Plus you have a spill proof way to bring it over to your sink or your bucket to swish around and clean.

I recommend a pre-filter of any sorts because you advised the choice of filter you make depends partially on the reduction of time/energy spent cleaning it. A pre-filter has the potential to extend the time between servicing the main filter.

Mine have never clogged or gotten to a point where it restricts flow. I generally clean them once a month, or longer, as needed.

Another benefit to using one, is it's a great place for beneficial bacteria to colonize!

Thanks for the compliment on my aquarium !

And for the great tips ! I’m definitely considering buying the inlet pre-filter you recommend. I didn’t even know they existed and I’m surprised, now that I know, that almost nobody talks about them...

I’m playing with AQ advisor and now wondering if I should buy the Fluval 406 instead of the 306. Really expensive 300$+ but it would allow me more flex on the fish varieties.

 

the Fluval 406 ( or the new 407 replacement) should cost no more than $199.

Are you in the states, or another country if you don't mind me asking?

 

the Fluval 406 ( or the new 407 replacement) should cost no more than $199.

Are you in the states, or another country if you don't mind me asking?

In Canada. Retail price for 307 is 269$ ou 279$ and 407 is 319$. Plus tax. Plus the spray bar, it’s around 425$. That’s a lot of money ! Especially since Hagen is Canadian and it’s head office is driving distance. :-(