Air Stones/Air Pumps

[Barracuda518]

I am looking to get a air stone for my tank. I think my cories would thank me for it. My question, which one is best and which pump is best? I just want one big enough to supply air to the air stone. I was looking at the LFS today and there were several different pumps.

Thanks

 

[OohFeeshy]

Depends how big your tank is. I've got a cheap air pump, cost about £5. Its only meant to be big enough for 'goldfish bowls' and the smallest airstone, but it will merrily bubble away on a 4'' airstone, and probably larger.

 

[akudewan]

The power of the air-pump would depend on the size of your tank. They come in different categories depending on the volume of the tank. Just make sure it doesn't make too much noise

As far as the air-stone is concerned, take one that looks good. I prefer the long one, that runs along the back, looks kinda cool

 

[Barracuda518]

Tanks is 30 US Gallons. I definately need one thats quite, seeing as how the tank is in my den.

 

[Barracuda518]

Ive been looking at that those Tetra-Tec 150 air pumps. Anyone have any experience with these? It says it does 150 liters an hour and my tank is a 30 gallon/115 liter tank. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Lateral Line]

If you want an airstone, fine, but if you think you need one, then you probably don't. I have not used an airstone in a regular tank for probably 15 years.

 

[smooth_bourbon]

http/www.animalworldnetwork.com/bubpipin3siz.html these look neat.

I have had them in tanks just for the look of it. I know I dont like the porous ones they get clogged and the bubbles tend to be uneven. The last couple pumps I got have been tetra tec. They are not silent tho. I had mine in my front room, and had the pump sitting on a towel to keep down the buzzing noise. I still tended to turn it off while watching movies, it made a lOT more noise then my pengiun biwheel filters do.

 

[Inchworm]

Hi Barracuda518

When my old air pumps wear out, I've been replacing them with these:

http/www.aquaworld.ca/cat52_1.htm

They are quieter than any others I've tried and they work very well.

If you are just planning to use it for decorative purposes, any pump will do. But, if you might be thinking about breeding your albino corys, you will be using it to circulate water over the eggs, then run a sponge filter and perhaps later a box filter in the fry tank. In this case, you will appreciate having a good quality one.

 

[Barracuda518]

Hi Barracuda518

When my old air pumps wear out, I've been replacing them with these:

http/www.aquaworld.ca/cat52_1.htm

They are quieter than any others I've tried and they work very well.

If you are just planning to use it for decorative purposes, any pump will do. But, if you might be thinking about breeding your albino corys, you will be using it to circulate water over the eggs, then run a sponge filter and perhaps later a box filter in the fry tank. In this case, you will appreciate having a good quality one.

[snapback]904156[/snapback]​

I wonder which one I would need. Can you get those at any local fish store?

 

[Inchworm]

Hi Barracuda518

I'm not sure if it's a brand the chain stores carry or not, but if you shop at a good independent lfs, they might have them. That's where I get mine. If not, they will be able to order one for you. Then too, you could always shop online.

As for size, you won't need a very big one for the purposes we've mentioned. If you do get one that is more powerful than you like, and disturbs the water too much, you can get an inexpensive valve to put in the airline which will bleed some of the excess off.

 

[Barracuda518]

Hi Barracuda518

I'm not sure if it's a brand the chain stores carry or not, but if you shop at a good independent lfs, they might have them. That's where I get mine. If not, they will be able to order one for you. Then too, you could always shop online.

As for size, you won't need a very big one for the purposes we've mentioned. If you do get one that is more powerful than you like, and disturbs the water too much, you can get an inexpensive valve to put in the airline which will bleed some of the excess off.

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There is a great LFS where I get all my fish. I will go there and look when I get a chance. Im just looking for something to power a air stone along the back side of my tank. I think the cories will like them, plus it will put more oxygen in the water.

Thanks for all your help B)

 

[rdd1952]

Be very careful when buying an air pump. Some of them, dispite saying "silent" are VERY noisy. I bought a couple cheap ones and ended up returning them because they were too loud. The second one I took back, the guy at Petsmart suggested a Rena brand. I took it home and plugged it it and was shocked that it was indeed dead silent. I now own 4 of them in various sizes.

Here is an example of how quiet they are. I did the routine maintanance and water change on one of my 2.5 gallon betta tanks a few months ago and decided that my plant could use a little less oxygen for a day or so. I pulled the airstone from the tank and meant to leave the air pump unplugged. I plugged everything back in and went about the rest of the morning, went to work and came home. Later that evening, I lifted the lid to feed the fish and noticed the filter wasn't running. Upon inspection, I realized that I had plugged the air pump back in and left the filter unplugged. Since the air stone wasn't in the tank, I had no way of knowing what I had done. I guess I would have been better off in that instance if the pump had been noisy but it was so quiet, I didn't even realize I had plugged it in. They are more expensive but well worth it in my opinion.

 

[akudewan]

My airpump makes a lot of noise too, and I can't even turn it off, I use it for a sponge filter. The costly ones are really costly, I couldn't afford one, so I came up with a solution.
Here's what I did:
First, I kept the pump over a thick piece of sponge. Then I took an old sock and tied it around the pump real tight. The noise reduced by about 50%. Now I needed some weight, so I took three large books (the last 3 harry potter books) and kept 'em over the pump, now almost all the noise was gone

But getting the good quality pump is always better...Thats why the ridiculous pink pig with a slit in the back was invented.

 

[Barracuda518]

Be very careful when buying an air pump. Some of them, dispite saying "silent" are VERY noisy. I bought a couple cheap ones and ended up returning them because they were too loud. The second one I took back, the guy at Petsmart suggested a Rena brand. I took it home and plugged it it and was shocked that it was indeed dead silent. I now own 4 of them in various sizes.

Here is an example of how quiet they are. I did the routine maintanance and water change on one of my 2.5 gallon betta tanks a few months ago and decided that my plant could use a little less oxygen for a day or so. I pulled the airstone from the tank and meant to leave the air pump unplugged. I plugged everything back in and went about the rest of the morning, went to work and came home. Later that evening, I lifted the lid to feed the fish and noticed the filter wasn't running. Upon inspection, I realized that I had plugged the air pump back in and left the filter unplugged. Since the air stone wasn't in the tank, I had no way of knowing what I had done. I guess I would have been better off in that instance if the pump had been noisy but it was so quiet, I didn't even realize I had plugged it in. They are more expensive but well worth it in my opinion.

[snapback]905231[/snapback]​

I agree on the Rena brand of pumps. I got one yesterday and cant even tell its on.

Thanks

 

[Stealth]

Hydor Ario - internal(!) air pomps. You put the whole device into the water, and the electric wire and air tube go out. Just ordered a few days ago, and have been waiting (Ario 2 is around 14 euros). Really silent pomp (saw myself in the shop, and it was also recommended by friends). The problem is that you cannot change the airstone.

http/www.hydor.it/inglese/ario.htm
http/www.hydor.it/inglese/ario_color.htm