Air Pump Above Water Level?

[LeeAberdeen]

Just wondering how essential this is, as suggested in the set-up instructions? They sort of imply that it's advisable to have the pump above the water level, but not vital. I've got no easy way of setting it up that way and, as there's already a valve to prevent any water getting into the pump through the tubing, I'm thinking of placing the pump in the most convenient place, below the tank. I did that on my last tank with no problems, but wondered if anyone had any horror stories of exploding pumps etc that might make me think again this time?
 
Occasionally 'rules' are meant to be broken, and I've long ignored the instructions not to operate my lights on a timer switch - and they work perfectly. I think, sometimes, manufacturers unnecessarily err too much on the side of caution. Maybe this is another instance of this?

 

[sawickib]

Ive always had mine under and no valve to stop the water if it came back 

 no problems

 

[LeeAberdeen]

Ive always had mine under and no valve to stop the water if it came back 

 no problems

You see, that's what I mean. I'm not taking one experience as 'proof' it's not necessary but, combined with my past experience, it is interesting. Thanks for your reply.

 

[DrRob]

The risk is of creating a syphon by accident, a tube below the bottom of the tank doesn't run far from emptying the whole tank onto the carpet, hence the advice.

 

[KirkyArcher]

^^^^^ +1 ^^^^^

 

[sawickib]

Well yea, just gonna add if you don't have that valve, and the power goes out you run the risk a
Of a backwards siphon.

 

[LeeAberdeen]

Well yea, just gonna add if you don't have that valve, and the power goes out you run the risk a
Of a backwards siphon.

I do have that valve, though.

The risk is of creating a syphon by accident, a tube below the bottom of the tank doesn't run far from emptying the whole tank onto the carpet, hence the advice.

I thought that was the purpose of the two-way valve, though, to stop the water?

 

[DrRob]

I thought that was the purpose of the two-way valve, though, to stop the water?

 
It is indeed. I've had them fall off the tube before though and I've had a few that allowed water through slowly, rather than stopping it.
 
Having said that, I do ignore the advice a fair bit myself, but given a chance will place them up high. The vibration of the airpump has always been more of a pain for dislodging tubes in my experience.

 

[star4]

I have had a pump situated under the tank with none return valves, the pump was a 4 outlet and one outlet failed, the airline acted as a syphon and the none return valve also failed filling the pump with water. If you are going to do it I would advice replacing the none return valves regularly as the rubber can fail.
 
The chances of it happening are slim, but its not worth the risk. If you have a filter you can move the outlet level with the water line, no need for an air pump really then.

 

[LeeAberdeen]

I have had a pump situated under the tank with none return valves, the pump was a 4 outlet and one outlet failed, the airline acted as a syphon and the none return valve also failed filling the pump with water. If you are going to do it I would advice replacing the none return valves regularly as the rubber can fail.
 
The chances of it happening are slim, but its not worth the risk. If you have a filter you can move the outlet level with the water line, no need for an air pump really then.

Thanks for the reply. The pump is for a Biorb 105 though and, apparently, essential. I'm just going to be using it as a quarantine tank for new fish before introducing them into my proper tank. I wouldn't entertain the Biorb otherwise but, as it's going to be used so infrequently, I merely wanted something aesthetically pleasing that will do an acceptable job for a short while.
 
Air pumps are pretty cheap, so as long as it was just a case of them getting damaged once in a blue moon, that's not a problem. Obviously, though, flooding the house would be more of a problem, although I've not heard of that happening to anyone through air pump problems.