Air pump pressure gauge?

[Yekrats]

A quick question. Has anyone seen a simple/cheap pressure gauge, or some kind of go, no go indicator that can be put in line on my air pump? One of the air stones in my 125g slowly stopped bubbling, and I'm not sure if the airstone itself is plugged up or I've lost 1 side of my pump. The pump itself isn't that old and all the airlines we're replaced at the same time, so I'm hoping it's the airstone but don't want to dig it up if I don't have to. ( It's a pain to keep the air hose buried under the gravel. ) Thanks

 

[MaloK]

If you plug the air stone on the other side of the pump does it looks still clogged ?

 

[Yekrats]

If you plug the air stone on the other side of the pump does it looks still clogged ?

Thought about that but the air hoses ( It's made of silicone. ) are stuck real good ( which is a good thing I guess. ) and I haven't been able to pull them off as of yet. I might just have to cut them. I guess I'm just thinking about the future and easy reference. Is the bump working, yes or no? Thanks for your reply.

 

[MaloK]

Heat them a little with an air dryer. or even if you end up cutting the end, it's less job than the other way.

Good sign of quality hose.

 

[Magnum Man]

just kink the one that is flowing well, and see if the other starts flowing... you could also put in, in line air valves, on each line , if there is more resistance on one... I had to put valves in line on a 24 inch deep 65 gallon, where the pump was fine, there was just more resistance on the line that was longer

 

[MaloK]

Good idea. still note most dual pumps have 2 diaphragm running on both direction of vibration on the transmission arm. And for unknown reason to me... There's always a side that fail a lot faster than the other.

I never tried to pinch the working output to see if it could backfire in the other... But I think it still wouldn't prove it's not punctured.

With the small scale of my installation I got back to 1 for 1... like 50 years ago and it lasts a unbelievable lot longer.

When you go with large pumps many output and multiple valves.

If you are not familiar with pressure escape / compensation... It's going to get really hot.

 

[Yekrats]

Update: finally got around to checking out the air pump. Funny thing, all the other times the airline wouldn't come off of the pump, but today they popped right off. Flipped them around and sure as shootin, one side of the pump wasn't pumping. Took the cover off the pump and found one of the air output connectors. had broken off inside. Not sure how this happened. You can see in the picture, the air output connector is protected from impact by being connected to a piece of rubber hose before it goes outside the shell. Anyhoo, gluing the connector back on, and all will be well.

 

[MaloK]

Not sure I understand...

But I think you mean, the air output connector was broken off the diaphragm casing.

From the nail holding it in place atm.

 

[Yekrats]

Not sure I understand...

But I think you mean, the air output connector was broken off the diaphragm casing.

From the nail holding it in place atm.

Thanks, I edited it.