Air Pump

[rdd1952]

I'm not at home right now but I know the 50 doesn't. I'm not certain about the bigger one I have (don't know what numberit is but I bougt it for my 75 gallon during cycling). One of my 50s got a little louder over time but nothing bad. I still have one of the 50s running on my betta tank and it is still dead quiet after almost 2 years.

 

[chr15_8]

just checked mine and its the rena air 200

ive had mine at least a year andhavent noticed any difference

its on the floor (carpet in my room) and at night i can hardly notice its on

on mine i have a little nob that screws in and out to reduce air flow (to nothing) or increase airflow to max

chris

 

[Maxta]

Right so i went to pets at home, bought 6m of 6mm tubing - good stuff, felt like it, was blue. Also bought a little air stone, one way valve and some suction cups to hold down the tubing, all elite brand. Now all i have to do is buy an air pump. Only ones my LFS's sell around here in store are the seras which my dad has, elite or the tetratec domed ones.

Can only get the rena ones online or ebay. And i cant seem to find the tetra whisper air pumps anywhere on the net, can someone help me - i can find them on US websites and they just look like the tetratec domed ones, but are in a different box, so im confused.

 

[Iron Man]

Not to contradict anyone or anything but my dad has an old small Rena pump and its loud as all get out. That's what made me decide to get a Whisper over a Rena. But that could just be his pump, not all pumps.

Regarding the Tetratecs, I was checking around on the internet and saw what you're talking about. I don't see a difference in the dome-shaped Tetratecs and the Whispers. They look just like the one I have.

If you decided to get the Tetratec, its probably like the Whisper in that it doesn't have an adjusting air valve, so you'll have to get one of those seperately.

 

[rdd1952]

Not to contradict anyone or anything but my dad has an old small Rena pump and its loud as all get out.

I think the key word there is old. They do tend to get noisier over time although, as I said, one of mine has been running for almost 2 years and is still dead quiet. It also depends on how they are situated. When mine have gotten noisy, it has been because they have gotten bumped or moved and they are actually vibrating against something rather than just making noise.

 

[Maxta]

I bought 6mm tubing, is this the standard size that will fit onto the rena pump, or tetra/whisper pumps? Just it doesnt really say on product descriptions on websites. Plus iv seen other sized tubing on ebay which have stated they will fit the standard aquarium pump, which is rather limited information IMO. Id assume my tubing will fit the elite style air pumps as my tubing is made by them also, just not sure about Rena etc, and dont want to take a risk.

You wouldnt happen to know would you RDD, or anyone?

 

[rdd1952]

I don't know the size but it's about the size of a small drinking straw. I tried to measure a piece and that looks about right.

 

[Chrispixx]

Maxta.. all air pumps should take the same size tubing. If its proper air line tubing it should fit on any pump.
As far as pumps go..I have used the Elite series air pumps for years without any problems. I have four tanks and four Elite pumps and they have been running for years.
It helps to put pumps on a soft surface to muffle any vibration. someone mentioned they have theres on carpet this will help with vibration as opposed to being on wood. I have filter material under my pumps to absorb vibration. Whisper filter "bio-bags" work good for this. A small towel or washcloth will work too.

 

[Maxta]

Are they quiet chris? The elite ones that is?

 

[rdd1952]

someone mentioned they have theres on carpet this will help with vibration as opposed to being on wood.

Most air pumps I've seen warn against putting on carpet it will pull tiny carpet fibers and clog the intake. Do know how true that is but it would seem to make sense.

 

[Maxta]

Got an elite air pump, dad bought it for me, told him to get the 10gallon one but he got the 5 gallon one. Was going to take it back immediately, but i tested it and it works great, lot of bubbles. Will get some pictures later. Produces noise, wouldnt say it was noisy though. Shouldnt have a problem with it though once i put it in my cupboard.

 

[Iron Man]

It helps to put pumps on a soft surface to muffle any vibration. someone mentioned they have theres on carpet this will help with vibration as opposed to being on wood. I have filter material under my pumps to absorb vibration. Whisper filter "bio-bags" work good for this. A small towel or washcloth will work too.

I just wanted to add to this comment. I know you didn't say it outright but someone may get the idea, as we all know how annoying some pumps can be. I once had a pump that was really noisey so I tried wrapping it in a white towel. The towel just happened to be white and I had left it like that for a few weeks.

Once when I had to move the pump I unwrapped the towel from it to find burn marks where the towel had been making contact with the pump. I never thought it would get THAT hot from being wrapped in something but it did. So just in case there's someone out there dumb as I was to try and do something like that......DON'T!

 

[Maxta]

Guess where the airstone is

Yes under the plant pot. Neat place and no visable tubing. Bit too strong for mine and the fishes liking, may need to get a smaller airstone.

 

[rdd1952]

You can buy the splitters that allow more than one airstone. Add one on and then close one side off and close the other half way to reduce the amount of air.

 

[Maxta]

Well i never knew that. I saw the algarde ones at P@H but never thought of getting one, i thought the pump would be just right.