What if I use underpower airpump

[joeyr188]

What if I use a 10gallon airpump for a 20 gallon tank for cycling until I can get a 20gal pump

 

[Fishmanic]

Are you using a sponge filter or are you using an internal or HOB filter?

 

[joeyr188]

Are you using a sponge filter or are you using an internal or HOB filter?

Sponge filiter is for a 25g in a 20g but I only have a pump for a 10g

 

[Fishmanic]

If the bubbles stream rising from the top of the sponge filter seems strong, the pump may be good enough for cycling. But I guess in the long run a stronger pump may be better.
I use an larger two outlet airpump with a fully adjustable flow for my 29 gallon tank. I have the sponge filter at one end of the tank and put an airstone at the other end. I also have a Marineland HOB filter for the tank. If I need to set up a quick quarantine tank, I can move the sponge filter from the 29 gallon tank.

 

[GaryE]

If you have air coming out of the sponge filter, the pump is strong enough to work. After that, it becomes a question of whether it works enough for the fish species and bioload you intend to have i n there. How much air do you need to come out if it?

What matters in the pump isn't gallons, but how deeply it pushes the air.

 

[davros]

What matters in the pump isn't gallons, but how deeply it pushes the air.

Yes- The depth from the surface is the limiting factor in having it work. If you have a health stream of bubbles I would consider it to be working fine. I buy pretty cheap pumps and they run multiple airstones FWIW.

 

[joeyr188]

If you have air coming out of the sponge filter, the pump is strong enough to work. After that, it becomes a question of whether it works enough for the fish species and bioload you intend to have i n there. How much air do you need to come out if it?

What matters in the pump isn't gallons, but how deeply it pushes the air.

The tank will hold 6 guppies some fry and a bn plecos with some shrimp