Where do I put my air pump?

[MadCow]

I bought a TetraTec AP150 air pump for my 29 gallon tank. I had also bought one of those shelves that hangs on the back of the tank to hold it. I believe it was a Penn-Plax. The problem I have is I am getting a lot of noise from the shelf vibrating as it doesn't hook or adjust to fit tightly. I tried putting a "gasket" of filter floss between the shelf and tank with limited success. Any suggestions to make this shelf less noisy? Is there another type/brand of shelf that works better? Or perhaps my preferred solution after giving it some thought would be to move the air pump into my stand under the tank. But would this cause problems with backflow of water into my pump with it being so far below the water level? Would a check valve or two effectively take care of this threat? Any help, ideas, or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[silver]

My 55 gallon is on it's own stand and all together it's about 5 ft. tall and my pump is on the ground!!! Not a problem at all!!

If you have a carpet ground that will take care of a lot of the noise, if not just put it in the stand somewhere. That's the problem with those darn things. If you don't have them JUST right they make a heck of a lot of noise.

But no, don't be afraid of your pum causing any problems. Do you have tubing that goes into your tank and connects to an airstone or what???


Silver

 

[crazie.eddie]

I had the same EXACT problem. I did shift my airpump at times and the noise would stop, but eventually due to the vibration, shift back to it's noisy position. I ended up putting the filter under the tank. FYI, I suggest getting a check valve on your airline hose. With the airpump being so low, if you turn off your airpump, the water may return back into the pump, damaging it. I had that problem before.

 

[MadCow]

I am using the pump to run a couple of little air stones in either corner of the tank. I think I will move it into the cabinet underneath. Perhaps get a carpet square or something to set it on to reduce vibration noise even more. And I had been planning to add a check valve even if I left it where it is, above the water level. Thank you guys so much for your help.

 

[pete28]

hi mad cow it might sound a little crazy but i picked up some felt at the fabric store the thicker kind and put it on the bottom of my pump and it keeps it dead quiet hope this might help

 

[Tropjunky]

i don't have an air pump that pumps air into the water the out let of the pump is just above the water surface and i use it to move the CO2 gas from my CO2 system out of the hood area. i belive that it disterbs the fish when u have it in the water and that the movement on the surface of the water made by the filter is enough to put the air into the water and plants help a lot.

 

[guppymonkey]

I have a 55 gallon and I put the air pump inside the cabinet with a mouse pad under it to control the vibration. Now its a lot more quiet!

 

[Inchworm]

Hi MadCow

There is a foam type shelf liner that you can get at a dollar store and cut into the right size piece, but Guppymonkey's idea of using a mouse pad sounds like a good idea. I think I'll try it when I get a new one.

 

[MadCow]

Excellent idea!!! Using a mousepad. One of those why didn't I think of that things. Awesome, awesome, awesome, guppymonkey!! I believe that is what I am going to do. Put it inside my cabinet on a mousepad, with a check valve for protection. This is why I spend so much time reading this forum. Thank you everybody for all of the suggestions. You people are awesome!!

 

[CMC]

We had the same noise problem with our air pumps (they're noisy bugers aren't they?). Anyway, ours sits in the cabinet of our 55 gallon and behind the tanks on the other ones since they don't have shelves underneath. We just fold a washcloth or dish cloth and sit the pump on top of it and really helps quiet the noise. I really liked some of the other ideas you were given too.

 

[LobsterOfJustice]

Mine hangs suspended by its power cord and is completely quiet (its not heavy enough to cause the cord any damage).

 

[Bigjula]

I hang mine with rubber bands. Bit tricky to set up but works a treat.

 

[DanL]

my solution for noisy pumps

 

[DrOizo]

If you place it on carpet make sure the pile does not block the inlet as if not enough air can get in and it will overheat and maybe even catch fire but felt and carpet are the way forward to make it shut up!

 

[Silly me]

I also hang mine from a rubberband, works the best..