Air Pump Breakage

[Jonny_H]

Hi all quick question! Do air pumps overheat? Mines suddenly stopped working and if it hit it or pick it up n shake it, it starts working again! But will soon stop again! Is it knackered or is it because I've left it on for days and it wants a break??? Also how vital are the valves as I haven't got any but will get some if there any important??

 

[alihar]

Check valves are important if the pump is positioned below the water line.
They will stop the water back siphoning into the unit.
If the unit is positioned above the water line a check valve isn't necessary although I always use one either way as a precaution.
If your unit is placed below the tank it is possible you are getting water in the unit causing the problem.
I leave my air pump on 24/7 with no problems at all.

 

[Jonny_H]

ive just bought 2 check valves now...

i will let the pump dry out.. and see what happens then.

quick 1 tho - which way around do the check valves go?

i would describe the valve as follows.

clear plastic capsule with a black piece inside - the black piece is connected to 1 side of the valve and not the other...

so which bit go's where if that makes sense.. im guessing i'd have pump, bit of tube, then valve with black thing attached on the pump side more tube then air stone...

 

[alihar]

Have around an inch or two of line from the pump then the valve then the line leading to airstone.
Some valves have arrows on to indicate wich way to position them.
The ones I use are flatter at on end.
On mine the flatter end is connected to the airstone line and rounder end to the pump line.
I'm guessing on yours the piece with the black in would be attached to the line coming from the unit.
That is just a guess tho as the clear ones I have used have had a black ring inside and an arrow to indicate positioning.

 

[Mowbz]

Blow through it, its the easiest way to tell if it doesnt have any markings. You'll only be able to blow one way