Best Air Pump?

[Benauld]

Hi all,

I've just posted exactly the same post on a different forum, and I've copied and pasted it below for ease:

I've bought an Interpet "Airvolution" AV2 to aerate my tank, and to be honest it's a little noisier than I had hoped for (despite being labelled "extremely quiet" on the box).

Can anybody recommend a Super-quiet brand of pump, and/or have any tips on reducing pump noise. Just to fill you in, I've already got it stood on a thick piece of polystyrene with an anti-slip mat to prevent it from vibrating across the shelf it is on.

I did wonder whether standing it on some sort of gel/liquid pack might help but can't think where I can get hold of something like that.

Any input would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Majjie]

Hi Ben,

Welcome to the forum. You're right it's a pain. All of the air pumps say they're really quiet - but some of them are lying. I have a Rena Air 100 that hums irritatingly loudly whatever I do to it (I'd be interested to hear anyone else's ideas on how to make a pump quieter). I've also got a Tetratek APS 50. Now that is beautifully quiet. Don't know why they all can't do it.

 

[Torrean]

I believe mine is whisper. it's pretty quiet.

I've thought about enclosing them in something. Maybe a polystyrene or cardboard box. I'm a bit worried about the motor having to struggle to pull air in though. Also heat build up might be a problem

 

[thegnu]

a lot of people with this problem could solve it by changing over to a power head, but you need something to fix it to

 

[juwelfan]

Yo,

I got an Interpet "Airvolution" AV2 airpump 2 weeks ago, it was well loud to start with as i only had one piece of air tubing on it which I DIY'ed holes in and sealed the end. Also I think i was restricting the air flow too much, so the pump was struggling to deal with it (could it have been back pressure, even though i had a non-return value fitted??). But i found since i have fitted 1 large air stone, 1 small bubble disc and one bubble run, the pump is only making a little humming.
I also made sure the tubing, the mains electrical wire and the cabinet shelf are not vibrating, cos at times they move and can make the sound 10x worse.

Hope you get it sorted.

 

[MojoDex]

get a tetra tec one whisper quiet ive never heard it yet and its next to my bed!

 

[Benauld]

Hi Folks,

Thanks for all your replies. I've had a look at the Tetratec website, and I think I'm going to get one. Incidentally it also said on their website something about deeper aquariums putting more back pressure on the pump. I think that may be where the Airvolution is letting me down, and is making it louder.

Thanks for your hepl!

 

[TerraDreamer]

All air pumps will exhibit an audible hum, however out of the many I've used in the past, the Whisper 40 is probably the quietest I've owned. As a matter of fact, I can say I was rather surprised at how quiet it is...

http/www.aquariumguys.com/whisperair2.html

The next model up (Whisper 60) has two outlets, but having never owned it, I can't say it's as quiet as the 40. Because I've switched to power heads, I no longer use an air pump. Too bad you don't live near me, otherwise you could swing by and I'd simply give it to you.

And, as I've recommended here in the past, if your pump is below the aquarium, a check valve is a very good idea indeed...

http/www.aquariumguys.com/checkvalve1.html

Regards.

 

[Benauld]

Hi TerraDreamer,

I'm pretty sure it's the same pump, just rebranded for American/European sale.

Thanks!

 

[TerraDreamer]

Yep, that's the one!

 

[Benauld]

Been out today and got the Tetratec APS150 and it is much better! I'm not sure whether it is actually any quieter volume wise, however the low hum it makes is MUCH less intrusive than the Interpet one I had. [I hope that kind of makes sense! ] Finally, I can relax when I'm sat next to the tank, phew!