Noise & vibration from air pumps scaring my babies

[xxSarahxx]

I have posted this in hardware buit thought you guys might have some ideas as I haven't had any replies on it yet. Instead of posting it twice the link is below.
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=105317&hl=

Thanks guys! Any ideas would really really really be appreciated!

 

[SRC]

I have my air pump sitting on a folded up washcloth.

 

[xxSarahxx]

ah hah!!!
I might try that tomorrow. I am hoping to get an air pump which already has two air-outlets so I can put a double on one of them to turn it into a three way and then I only have one air pump to worry about. I might try the wash cloth. See if that works.
Thanks SRC. That was so simple.......why didn't I think of that?!?! I put a foam-type padding around it but it still made too much noise. I can't believe these are meant to be silent ones!!!

 

[tishygirl]

my air pump is pretty annoying too, and I have nowhere but the top of the tank to put it, so I have a washcloth up there it sits on too.

 

[Booboo puppy]

A wash cloth seems to be the universal fix--that's what I've used in the past for this kind of annoyance.

 

[xxSarahxx]

I feel so stupid..... I can't believe I didn't think of that!!
Thanks guys..... some times I get so worried about how much I am stressing the fish out by fiddling with things to get them right I can't think straight about it all and come up with new ideas.
Thanks again!!

 

[OohFeeshy]

Just wondering whether you buy new cartriges for that filter, its really easy to snap off the grid thing at the top and change the sponge/carbo/zeolite

 

[keith565]

one of the reasons your pump is making such a noise might be the back pressure caused when you reduce a pumps output by using a valve, but not allowing the air to escape.
you should allow the excess air to 'bleed' off the pump. that is, to allow the extra air to escape from a small piece of tubing using an adjustable valve. that should reduce the noise and vibration. i also use a cloth on 2 of mine and it does help keep the pump in one place.

 

[Joby]

I just use a few sheets of folded kitchen paper underneath which generally makes them quieter.

Good point about the valve Keith, I use those adjustable ones which allow for air to bleed through as well. I have 3 spawn tanks and a bbs hatchery hooked up to one pump through the valves and its lovely and silent.

Hope you find a solution Sarah

 

[xxSarahxx]

I will be changing the cartidges yes. Not got there yet.
How can you bleed them? I do use valves as otherwise the amount of bubbles is excessive for my boys, can I just use a pin and and make a few holes in the tubing/airline?!?

 

[Joby]

The connectors I use have a bleed valve built in, basically you turn the knob to change the flow and the excess air comes out doesn't sound very scientific but its what happens

Forget who make them as I threw away the packaging but they are blue and the packaging is yellow.