Rena Air Pump Problems.

[Sideshow86]

Hi everyone, i've posted this in another section but not sure if it was the right one. I am currently in the process of setting up my tank. Everything is now up and running apart from my air pump system.

I bought an Inca style head which produces a very nice bubble effect however before this I have two buried airstones under the sand. But they are not producing any bubbles. I thought it may be the Pump not being powerful enough. It was the Rena Air 200. So I took it back to the store and they kindly let me exchange it for the 300 model. Still the two airstones dont' work.

I'll map out the way I have hooked it all up so you can get a better idea.

Pump
Line
One Way Valve
Line
1st T-Piece.

The first T Piece runs to a small airstone about 2 inches long and the other exit from the T Piece runs to another T Piece.

From the Second T-Piece it runs to a second airstone about 3 inches long and from the other exit to the inca style head.

so the inca head is the last item in the line but it is the only one working so it's definately not a blockage problem.

Any help much apreciated.

Cheers, Chris.

 

[waterdrop]

The decoration probably offers much less resistance than the airstones (it takes more pressure to push air through them and have it broken up into small bubbles.) You need small "gang valves," not T-pieces. In the old days we used to buy gang valves made with a clear plastic piece that hung over the back of the tank and then had typically 2 through 5 solid brass valves that look like little faucets. The pump was input to the whole gang and then you could control each "faucet" knob and adjust the amount of air going to that line. The decoration would have been cracked open very little, while the airstones would be adjusted to receive a larger opening and thus more share of the pressure.

I think the same thing is still available but the solid brass has been replaced with black plastic (means you can't pass it down to your kids when you die, lol.)

~~waterdrop~~

 

[Sideshow86]

That sounds like the problem. Suppose the air is taking the path of least resistance.

I'll have to have a look about for one.

Cheers.

 

[anon02]

That sounds like the problem. Suppose the air is taking the path of least resistance.

I'll have to have a look about for one.

Cheers.

I think you can still buy the small air line clamps that constrict the air tubing

 

[Sideshow86]

Just looking on eBay to see if there was anything line an in line restriction piece or a control valve I can splice into the line between the last T Piece and the Head Feature. But cant find much.