Fish Room Air Pump

[alan3513]

I've nearly finished building my fish room but need advice regarding the position of the air pump.
I have built a continual 21mm loop around the shed and have got a Blagdon KA 65 pump to supply 16 tanks.
Does the pump need to be above the piping to work properly ?
Thanks in advance for any advice, Alan.

 

[Tolak]

It doesn't matter if it is above or below, it will work the same. Most that I've seen are below, as mine is, due to the supply line that runs to the tanks being up higher, especially with tanks closer to the ceiling on racks.

 

[bristlenoseitplecoman]

No you do not have to position it above the tank but it might be better for safety. water could backtrack into the air pump if it was below but that has a simple solution. make a drip loop from the pump to the tank. The loop is shaped like a U.

 

[alan3513]

Thanks guys.

 

[Tolak]

With most centralized systems you also have a bleed for excess air, set this up below the pump, it will act like a drain in the event of a power failure & any siphon or capillary action situation.

If you aren't bleeding off air you either are risking premature pump failure due to backpressure, or have the pump capacity maxxed out. With a maxxed out pump you will lose pressure as it wears, and should consider a larger pump.