Freakin Biocube fan - Help!

[new2salt1]

The fan on my Biocube 14 wont stop buzzing. I took the whole thing apart. When I push on the fan it stops. So I took soundproofing material and stacked it on top of the fan so when the cover goes back on, the pressure stops the buzz. But after 30 minutes or so, I guess the material compresses and the buzz comes back again.
If the unit upside down with or without material, the buzz stops.
I've looked at this thing for hours with flashlights and headlamps and for the life of me I cant figure out why the fan keeps buzzing.
Any advice? I figured this would be a good "search" question but I found nothing.
Thanks

 

[bmkj02]

Probably time for a new fan. May of become unbalanced some how. Check for any cracks on the fan frame

 

[scsinet]

Replace the fan. Bearing failure.
Just yank it out (cut the wires) and take it to a computer store that deals a lot in DIY/custom PC work. You should be able to match up a fan close enough, and you can just splice the wires. Or, google "Jameco" and use their progressive search to narrow down a good candiate. Be sure to match length/width, but also thickness as usually the thickness of a fan is important in these tight covers.
Look for a fan of the same voltage rating and equal or less current draw. 1000ma = 1 amp. The voltage and current requirements should be pasted on a sticker on the center of the fan's motor.

 

[new2salt1]

Thanks guys. I tried some double-sided tape. So far it is doing a decent job.
Is there a serious concern for overheating though? The tape is blocking about 1/2 of the vent on 1 of 2 fans. The other fan isn't making noise so it's completely free to "breath."

 

[scsinet]

Whether or not you are at risk of overheating is a matter of many variables...
I'm not sure I'd run for long with part of the fan blocked off... but on the other hand, it might be fine forever.
I can tell you though the sound you describe is almost certainly bad bearings in the fan, they will get worse, and the fan will eventually stop working entirely - at which point you'll be in a real hurry for replacement.

 

[btldreef]

Every three or four months the fan on my BioCube 14G starts buzzing. It makes me absolutely insane. My husband has to take the housing and drips cooking oil into the fan housing. NOTE: you must cover the water so that you don't drop gook into your tank, usually I saran wrap the top of the tank.