Serenity must be maintained

So, as some of you may know im currently getting creative with my tank. Figuring out how I want it and tentatively moving in the general direction.
One of the key aspects of this project is serenity. Usually I'm more of a hustle and bustle aquariums kinda guy, not with this.
Anyhow, got myself a little All Pond Solutions air pump, ninety litres per hour, smallest model they do on Amazon. Should have checked there own website perhaps. Turns out its way to much. Not so much a bad reflection on the pump, however, way to many bubbles. Even on its lowest setting its just way to much for the affect I'm going for.
There isn't really a point to this post, just having a bit of a head in hands moment and thought I'd share it.

Most air pumps have a small screw on the side that holds the air chamber inside the pump. If you loosen the screw a small amount, the pump will produce less air.

You can also buy a length of airline, a plastic T-piece and tap. Cut the airline and have a short length coming off the pump. Put the T-piece on that and add some more airline to the 2 outlets on the T-piece. Put a tap on one piece of airline and run the rest of the airline to the tank. Use the plastic tap to reduce the air going into the tank.

Colin_T said:

Most air pumps have a small screw on the side that holds the air chamber inside the pump. If you loosen the screw a small amount, the pump will produce less air.

You can also buy a length of airline, a plastic T-piece and tap. Cut the airline and have a short length coming off the pump. Put the T-piece on that and add some more airline to the 2 outlets on the T-piece. Put a tap on one piece of airline and run the rest of the airline to the tank. Use the plastic tap to reduce the air going into the tank.

Click to expand...

No screw on the side unfortunately.
Way more airline than I need anyway so I could probably do without extra, however going to order a t piece now, thanks for the tip. Where would you fit the t piece in regard to the non return valve?

You could buy this thing, I use it on every tanks

I use one of these in the air line for my betta's tank and just open the spare tap to bleed some air into the room. I have it on the pump side of the one way valve - it it sucks back I don't want the water pouring onto the worktop through the unused tap.

essjay said:

I use one of these in the air line for my betta's tank and just open the spare tap to bleed some air into the room. I have it on the pump side of the one way valve - it it sucks back I don't want the water pouring onto the worktop through the unused tap.

2 Way Aquarium Chrome Splitter. Metal Manifold Air Line Control Valve Air Tap | eBay

1 2 way Splitter Aquarium Air Valve.

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Yes, this is a good approach. You are creating a "bleeder" and by controling the air being bled you control the air going to the tank filter. Air pumps will last longer if they are allowed to put out their maximum air. Having just one valve goig to the tank means you are restricting the air output, and this can wear the pump out much faster.

BoningKnife said:

No screw on the side unfortunately.
Way more airline than I need anyway so I could probably do without extra, however going to order a t piece now, thanks for the tip. Where would you fit the t piece in regard to the non return valve?

Click to expand...

Get a T-piece and a tap. Put them after the non return valve.

Pump, short length of airline, non return/ check valve, short length of airline, T-piece and tap, airline to tank, filter/ air stone.

Colin, is there are reason you'd put the tap between the valve and the tank rather than between the valve and the pump? My betta's tank is on a kitchen worktop and I put my tap between the valve and the pump in case the water did suck back and tank water flow out onto the worktop. But you say that's the wrong place for it?

You can put it wherever you want, I just put the check valve close to the pump.