Why does my aquarium filter make noise?

there's crap stuck in the impeller. my least favorite thing about filters. when this happens i want to punch the wall. i suggest taking your filter and throwing it in the garbage. then go buy an Aquaclear 30.

Could be going out. Before doing anything else, take the impeller and intake tubes out and clean them well in the sink. Make sure the impeller spins freely. Reinstall in the filter and turn it back on. Prime with tank water if necessary. If it doesn't quiet down, then you should plan to get another filter promptly, it isn't long for this world.

Unfortunately, they don't usually last forever. I'm frankly amazed at my Penguin Bio-wheel. I've had it two years, and my step-daughter had it at least 10 years before that, and it's still working just like day one! My Whisper (which I thought was a very nice filter) crapped out after 18 months. I'll never own anything other than Penguins again!

Hope this helps!

some of us thought that was a crappy filter when it was new,

but check the impeller, if cleaning it doesn't solve the problem,

do not throw the filter against the wall,

first put the dirty wet filter materials in the new filter you buy (hopefully a good one this time)

so that the biology gets going in the new filter....

and then throw the old filter against the wall.

your filter is either going out, or if it has a impeller peice, thats the second choice that is going out, just like whiper filters, have had them for about 4 years , and they both are pretty loud

There could possibly be a rock or some debris caught in it.. or maybe it's just getting old?