Air Pumps

[markandhisfish]

ive got a tetratec airpump which this morning is hardly blowing at all ive tried clearing the outlet but no joy. is there anything i need to do to get it going again or is it just dead?

and if so whats a good reliable make to replace it with?

 

[markandhisfish]

also just a thought i have aimed my spray bar upwards to provide some surface agitation so do i really need 1?

well i just took it apart and the rubber diaphragms are both torn. its only 5 months old too. wont ever buy tetratec again . should of got the eheim in the 1st place

 

[doresy]

If you have water movement at the water's surface with your spray bar then no you don't NEED an air pump/stone for gas transference. It is only the bubbles breaking the surface tension that aids the transfer of gases by increasing the surface area so if your spray bar is doing this then job already done

Mind you if you like it then there is no harm in having one.....
I have one in my Tanganyika Cichlid set up because I like the bubbling sound through the rocks and the fish seem to enjoy it. I have it on the same timer as the lights so it is at rest during the night.

*edit* If you are using an air pump then you MUST either have a non return valve in the pipe or a loop in the pipe that goes well higher than the water surface to prevent water siphoning back down to the pump when it is off which will damage it or worst still could drain your tank over night

 

[hollanda88]

If you have water movement at the water's surface with your spray bar then no you don't NEED an air pump/stone for gas transference. It is only the bubbles breaking the surface tension that aids the transfer of gases by increasing the surface area so if your spray bar is doing this then job already done

Mind you if you like it then there is no harm in having one.....
I have one in my Tanganyika Cichlid set up because I like the bubbling sound through the rocks and the fish seem to enjoy it. I have it on the same timer as the lights so it is at rest during the night.

*edit* If you are using an air pump then you MUST either have a non return valve in the pipe or a loop in the pipe that goes well higher than the water surface to prevent water siphoning back down to the pump when it is off which will damage it or worst still could drain your tank over night

I use a centrifugal air pump which has no problems with back siphoning and produces tiny bubbles that rise slowly and the fish seem to love plating in it when its on

As said earlier the air pumps aren't that useful in aeration but fish may like the flow

andrew

 

[Colin_T]

Most diaphragms in air pumps don't last that long. The better pumps like Rena will but unless you spend a hundred dollars on the pump, expect to replace the parts every 6 months. The diaphragms aren't that expensive.

 

[doresy]

I use an old Elite 799 (10p at a boot sell)

It hums a bit but it powers an 8" airstone like it's running off of BAKED BEANS

 

[markandhisfish]

i read a lot about people saying use non return valves but i never used 1 and even tho i switch the pump off during water changes etc i have never had a back-syphon

 

[doresy]

i read a lot about people saying use non return valves but i never used 1 and even tho i switch the pump off during water changes etc i have never had a back-syphon

Your tank your carpet .........advice, my friend, is freely given and you're free to know better

Call me old fashioned but for 50p or so I know what I'd do

 

[markandhisfish]

valid point what do thes valves look like i may even have 1

 

[doresy]

valid point what do thes valves look like i may even have 1

I am not suggesting buying these but look on ebay at Item number 160270161429 That is what they look like

 

[markandhisfish]

no i havent got any of those well i think for the sake of 99p i will order now.