Air pumps - opinions

[777james777]

As a few of you now know, I have recently purchased a 160 litre tank that is in the cycling process ready for my fish.

Todays questions are regarding the air pump.

1. Is it a good thing to have an air stone in your tank?
2. Which is better an air stone or an air stip
3. Would having my heater horizontal at the back bottom middle of the tank with an air strip underneath it help with the warm water circulation?
(with rocks / plants in front so you cant see them)

 

[Magnum Man]

IMO, yes... I use 10" air strips on the ends of my tanks... I usually mount my heaters vertically, above the air stones just because the cord comes out the end, so I don't see any cords in the tanks

 

[Colin_T]

If you have fishes that come from slow moving water, have a small airstone bubbling away in a corner so it doesn't create too much current.
If you have fishes like danios or rainbowfish that like currents, have an airstone or air curtain.

I have always used standard size airstones over air curtains/ strips. They are cheaper and do the job just as effectively.

Yes having the heater in the middle at the bottom back of the tank, with an airstone under it, will help to circulate the warm water.

 

[Byron]

agree with Colin. But having said that, I have never used an airstone because I see no need for it. The filter should circulate the water according to the needs of the fish (fish are sensitive to water currents, some need more and others none) and to create a bit of surface disturbance. So I see no real benefit in airstones. On a purely aesthetic side, I don't like seeing bubbling whatever (aside from the sponge filters I use in smaller tanks).

 

[777james777]

agree with Colin. But having said that, I have never used an airstone because I see no need for it. The filter should circulate the water according to the needs of the fish (fish are sensitive to water currents, some need more and others none) and to create a bit of surface disturbance. So I see no real benefit in airstones. On a purely aesthetic side, I don't like seeing bubbling whatever (aside from the sponge filters I use in smaller tanks).

I really like the look of them (subtle ones) nothing drastic. My tank is a half decent size so what I’m thinking is an air stone in the back right just infront of the heater and pump (almost to hide them)

 

[777james777]

If you have fishes that come from slow moving water, have a small airstone bubbling away in a corner so it doesn't create too much current.
If you have fishes like danios or rainbowfish that like currents, have an airstone or air curtain.

I have always used standard size airstones over air curtains/ strips. They are cheaper and do the job just as effectively.

Yes having the heater in the middle at the bottom back of the tank, with an airstone under it, will help to circulate the warm water.

I think that the variety of fish I will be getting wouldn’t appreciate fast moving water. As in the above post I think il put one infront of the heater.
Also one thing I want to try and avoid is a noisey pump

 

[Colin_T]

The more expensive brands of air pumps are usually quieter because they have thicker cases or tiny air bubble in the case that help to insulate the noise. But most air pumps aren't excessively noisy if they are on a hard flat surface. The problem is most people have a very quiet house and bedroom when they go to bed, and any noise will disturb them. If you have an air pump in the room and get use to it, then it acts as white noise and you can sleep with it. I used to wake up when there was a power failure because the pumps were no longer making any noise.

Try to listen to them in a shop (it's hard to do but definitely helps) and see if you can find any that have an insulated case. Also make sure you can get spare parts for them because some pumps are hard to repair due to lack of parts.

 

[777james777]

The more expensive brands or air pumps are usually quieter because they have thicker cases or tiny air bubble in the case that help to insulate the noise. But most air pumps aren't excessively noisy if they are on a hard flat surface. The problem is most people have a very quiet house and bedroom when they go to bed, and any noise will disturb them. If you have an air pump in the room and get use to it, then it acts as white noise and you can sleep with it. I used to wake up when there was a power failure because the pumps were no longer making any noise.

Try to listen to them in a shop (it's hard to do but definitely helps) and see if you can find any that have an insulated case. Also make sure you can get spare parts for them because some pumps are hard to repair due to lack of parts.

My aquarium is in the hallway downstairs so the sleep issue is no problem. Also I would probably only have them running whilst awake.
I will probably get one from amazon based on the reviews. I have seen that a few of them can break after time and i obviously want t avoid that.

 

[Colin_T]

Most brands of aquarium air pump should be reliable from the electronic side. Some cheaper knock offs might not be. Rena used to be very good but Eheim is also good and AquaOne Precision air pump (regularly sold in Australian) are pretty good.

The main thing that breaks on aquarium air pumps is the diaphragm. This is a rubber U shaped piece that can split and then they make lots of noise but don't pump any air. If you get an air pump, buy 1 or 2 spare diaphragms to go with it. They are easy to swap out and only cost a couple of dollars.

The diaphragms last longer if the pump isn't under a lot of pressure. If you have a wood or sand airstone running on the pump, it will put more back pressure on the diaphragm and that will be more likely to break. To reduce the chance of this, use plastic multicoloured airstones that can be taken apart and cleaned. They produce slightly bigger bubbles (not huge ones) and put less back pressure on the pump. Some brands also have a weight in the bottom to hold them down.

If you are pumping air down 2 or 3 feet of water, it puts more back pressure on the diaphragm and it's more likely to split/ break a diaphragm.

----------

The other part that sometimes goes is the flapper/ flutter valve. This is a thin piece of rubber shaped a bit like the number 8. It allows air to go through the air chamber and stops it coming back out. They normally last for years but do eventually get a hole in them and then they stop working. You can buy 1 spare if you like but it probably won't be needed for a while. In an emergency, you can sometimes make them out of a plastic bag.

 

[777james777]

Most brands of aquarium air pump should be reliable from the electronic side. Some cheaper knock offs might not be. Rena used to be very good but Eheim is also good and AquaOne Precision air pump (regularly sold in Australian) are pretty good.

The main thing that breaks on aquarium air pumps is the diaphragm. This is a rubber U shaped piece that can split and then they make lots of noise but don't pump any air. If you get an air pump, buy 1 or 2 spare diaphragms to go with it. They are easy to swap out and only cost a couple of dollars.

The diaphragms last longer if the pump isn't under a lot of pressure. If you have a wood or sand airstone running on the pump, it will put more back pressure on the diaphragm and that will be more likely to break. To reduce the chance of this, use plastic multicoloured airstones that can be taken apart and cleaned. They produce slightly bigger bubbles (not huge ones) and put less back pressure on the pump. Some brands also have a weight in the bottom to hold them down.

If you are pumping air down 2 or 3 feet of water, it puts more back pressure on the diaphragm and it's more likely to split/ break a diaphragm.

----------

The other part that sometimes goes is the flapper/ flutter valve. This is a thin piece of rubber shaped a bit like the number 8. It allows air to go through the air chamber and stops it coming back out. They normally last for years but do eventually get a hole in them and then they stop working. You can buy 1 spare if you like but it probably won't be needed for a while. In an emergency, you can sometimes make them out of a plastic bag.

Thanks, I didn't even consider the back pressure. My tank itself is 40cm deep, but obviously there is the 40cm of tube that will be on the outside of the tank. I think it will be an airstone that I will use. Iv not actually seen any of the plastic ones but I will have a look for them first. Eheim is the brand of heater I have. So far I have been impressed with it. It looks nice does the Job and seems a respectable brand for a good price. I will have a look now for my pump on amazon and see whats about.

 

[Colin_T]

The airline on the outside of the tank doesn't do anything to back pressure in the pump. It's only when the air has to go underwater that it starts to put back pressure on the diaphragm.


ebay's web addresses suck, they are like 4 billion lines long
multi coloured plastic aquarium airstones.

2x LGE PLASTIC WASHABLE CLEANABLE REUSEABLE AIRSTONES AQUARIUM FISH TANK AERATOR | eBay

Eliminates the problems of ceramic and resin airstones clogging up. As these airstones can be pulled apart and cleaned they will far outlast other types of airstones. 2x LARGE CLEANABLE PLASTIC AIR STONES.

www.ebay.com.au

https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/8IIAAOSwEzRjCt1G/s-l300.jpg

 

[Essjay]

Another thing to bear in mind is a drip loop. If the tubing runs straight down from the tank to the pump there is the risk that water could flow down the tubing into the pump and water & electricity don't mix well. But if the tubing goes down then up then down again it can't suck water back. And don't forget a one way valve in the tubing. That stops water sucking back as well. Drip loop plus one way valve makes doubly sure.

 

[Magnum Man]

I’ve not seen those in the US… curious if they are only bright multi colored… I generally go for as natural a look as possible

I almost always mount my air pumps over or higher than the aquarium… as even the check valves will slightly add restriction

And there is line resistance… every bend and length add a little

 

[Colin_T]

I have only seen the multi coloured airstones and have not seen them in bland colours. You don't notice the colour in an aquarium.

 

[777james777]

Yes I was thinking about the bends as it hooks over the glass. That could put a little bit of resistance on, It would make sense to have it higher up than the tank. This is possible as i could put a shelf above it, but thats something that i would have to have a look into. Im not keen on the plastic looking ones as Magnum man says due to their colour. Thank you for showing me them though!