Pump-less Bubble System

[Andrew G]

I seem to recall seeing a small under water bubble maker that doesn't require a pump, (so it's extremely quiet), but can't find this product anywhere. Any ideas?

Thanks

 

[Colin_T]

never heard of anything like that. The only way to get bubbles without an airpump would be thru chemical reactions. And that isn't a good idea with fish in the tank. I spose the other option would be a gas bottle. A bottle of liquid oxygen that can be pumped into the tank but that would be costly and not worth it.

If you are after a quiet air pump get a Rena.

 

[Tolak]

A powerhead that uses the venturi effect to pull air into the water stream is about your only other option besides an air pump.

 

[Andrew G]

This was an actual product that plugged into an electrical outlet and was placed on the substrate. It generated air flow/bubbes directly from the unit, and only in that area. It you wanted more buibbles in different locations throughout the tank, then additional units would need to be purchased. Each unit was around $50.

Maybe they took it off the market ???

 

[waterdrop]

never heard of anything like that. The only way to get bubbles without an airpump would be thru chemical reactions. And that isn't a good idea with fish in the tank. I spose the other option would be a gas bottle. A bottle of liquid oxygen that can be pumped into the tank but that would be costly and not worth it.

If you are after a quiet air pump get a Rena.

I've never heard of anything like it either so I'm no help. At the risk of a hijack (sorry!) I wanted to ask a follow-up to Colin's Rena recommendation:

For my fishless cycling I needed to pick up an airpump and grabbed a Tetra Whisper 60 because it was the only one on the shelf at the time. It turned out to be disappointingly noisy (using a 3" stone airstone on one outlet and a white 1" non-stone airstone on the other outlet) and made me wonder if there is a significant drop in noise as you get down to smaller pumps.

This one has such a loud hum it must be turned off at night for everyone to sleep. Night may be just the time we would want to run an airstone if we eventually have plants and CO2.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[Andrew G]

never heard of anything like that. The only way to get bubbles without an airpump would be thru chemical reactions. And that isn't a good idea with fish in the tank. I spose the other option would be a gas bottle. A bottle of liquid oxygen that can be pumped into the tank but that would be costly and not worth it.

If you are after a quiet air pump get a Rena.

I've never heard of anything like it either so I'm no help. At the risk of a hijack (sorry!) I wanted to ask a follow-up to Colin's Rena recommendation:

For my fishless cycling I needed to pick up an airpump and grabbed a Tetra Whisper 60 because it was the only one on the shelf at the time. It turned out to be disappointingly noisy (using a 3" stone airstone on one outlet and a white 1" non-stone airstone on the other outlet) and made me wonder if there is a significant drop in noise as you get down to smaller pumps.

This one has such a loud hum it must be turned off at night for everyone to sleep. Night may be just the time we would want to run an airstone if we eventually have plants and CO2.

~~waterdrop~~

That's why this option was so desirable. There was absolutely NO NOISE created by the unit, since it was under water.

 

[Colin_T]

For waterdrop

Whisper air pumps are pretty good over here. Maybe they do a cheaper version for you lot in the US.
Air pump size doesn't normally make much difference but smaller pumps will always make a little less noise because they produce less air. But any decent brand of pump should be quiet regardless of if it has one outlet or two.
If it is still under warranty maybe take it down to the LFS and compare it to another one and see if they both make the same noise. If they do then look at getting another brand. Rena air pumps have always been quiet but they are a little on the expensive side.

 

[Andrew G]

For waterdrop

Whisper air pumps are pretty good over here. Maybe they do a cheaper version for you lot in the US.
Air pump size doesn't normally make much difference but smaller pumps will always make a little less noise because they produce less air. But any decent brand of pump should be quiet regardless of if it has one outlet or two.
If it is still under warranty maybe take it down to the LFS and compare it to another one and see if they both make the same noise. If they do then look at getting another brand. Rena air pumps have always been quiet but they are a little on the expensive side.

I have a Rena Air 50 and I don't find it to be quieter that other brands.

 

[Tolak]

Those small pumps are buzzy things, best bet is to put it in a closet & run a longer air line. A small linear pump is quieter, but will set you back around $100.

 

[Colin_T]

I have a Rena Air 50 and I don't find it to be quieter that other brands.

That's unusual. Every Rena I have heard or used has been dead quiet.
A good way to tell how much noise an airpump will make is to have it running with a piece of airline on the outlet. Then bend the airline to stop the air coming out. A good pump won't make much if any more noise. Cheaper pumps will scream their little box off.

 

[Tolak]

Ouch, I thought I was the only person who liked to torture equipment, I feel less lonely now.

Back pressure will shorten diaphragm life, but will lead to less electricity used. It's better to bleed off the excess air, use a length of air line to muffle the pump noise & hiss, the same as the exhaust system on a car. Bleeding air off larger pumps without doing this makes a horrendous racket.

 

[Colin_T]

sorry I didn't mean to leave the airline bent. Just bend it for a few seconds to see how much noise the pump will make and then let it go back to normal.
A good pump will not make as much noise with the extra back pressure, but cheaper quality pumps will usually rattle and shake themselves silly.

 

[eriksgti]

Are you talking about something like this?


Hydor Ario Turbo Aquarium Aerators

An exclusive new concept in aquarium air pumps. Unlike other air pumps, the Ario is an in-tank aerator. Place it discreetly under gravel at the bottom of your tank, and enjoy an adjustable stream of bubbles. You hear nothing but the soothing sound of air bubbles, and your fish will appreciate the extra aeration. Air is pulled down through a length of tubing (included) and then emitted through a foam diffuser on the top of the pump.

Each pump is very small and can be positioned in the gravel behind plants and ornaments to hide it from view. Cleaning and maintenance is quick and simple, with no rubber parts to wear out quickly. Please note that these pumps are for aeration of your tank only. They do not have any output tubes to hook up additional airstones or action ornaments. 115 V, 60 Hz operation only--for indoor use only.

Includes: Air control valve, air intake tube, filter sponge, suction cups, spiral cord/airline connector, and mounting base (for Ario 2 only).

Here are some shopping links.
[URL="http/www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2753019"]http/www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2753019[/URL]
[URL="http/www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2753010"]http/www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2753010[/URL]

 

[Tolak]

Pretty much a powerhead with a venturi.

 

[waterdrop]

In the pet store you have to stand in front of those colored ones to block your kid's view or you'll end up with a disco in your tank

Seriously, hey Tolak, what is a "linear" pump?