Penn-Plax Air-Tech 2K3 Aquarium Air Pump, 30-gal

I ordered this 9/1/23 but didn't test it until 11/13. I've been using tetra air pumps since 2014 but I wanted to try this one as it was on sale for $9 and originally $35 I believe. I thought I'd get a higher quality pump but I was wrong. It's extremely loud to the point of unusability as I kept my aquariums in my bedroom. I'm a deep sleeper, but this is so loud I couldn't fall asleep w/o unplugging it. The materials feel cheap and the air pump is weak. I tried it on a heavily-planted 15G and the air flow was miniscule. I used bare tubing; I wasn't even using a control valve! I thought maybe there was something wrong with it internally, but after taking it apart to put it back together, it was still very loud. I tried everything but I couldn't fix the noise. Still, I don't have the heart to give it 1 star. I've been shopping with Chewy for 7 years. I remember when they used to send greeting cards and paint portraits of my pets - I still have 3 of their portraits to this day. This is not Chewy's fault at all. The condition of it is entirely the manufacturer's fault. The box was in great shape and it wasn't used. I got a dud, is all. Unfortunately, because I ordered it so long ago, I'm unsure if I can return it. I'm unsure if anyone would want this, but maybe I can give it to someone, donate it to a rescue or my local shelter instead. P.S, please donate to The Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region, if you can. Thank you :)