Which Air Pump?

[Bobtastic]

Hey guys and gals,

I've been thinking of adding an airpump to my tank but there are some many out there I don't really know where to start! I have a 110litre tank, and was looking at the Tetratec 100 or 150, but I don't know if they are any good.

Does anyone use them? Or can recommend a different make?

 

[jimmyringo]

I have an Eheim 3701.Absolutely silent and reliable.Costs around £15.

 

[Bobtastic]

This may sound like a stupid question, but what is usually included in with the air pump? I guess I will have to buy an air stone separately but what about the air line and non-return valves?

Also are air curtins just long airstones?

 

[Ozzy Ozborne]

I have a tetratec 100 in a 180 litre tank, and its fine.
The only problem I have is the airline pipe keeps coming off the pump connection.I have tried various methods of keeping it on but with no success. Even trying to vary the air flow does not work !
In terms of extras I bought the airline,airstone and non return valve for approx £4.

Hope this helps

 

[jimmyringo]

The Eheim 3701 comes with a small airstone and 1 metre of tubing included


Eheim 3701

Non-return valve shouldn't cost you more than £1.

 

[Bobtastic]

I did a search and found a thread about the quietest pumps and it was suggested that Rena where the quieter of makes out there atm. I can get Rena Air 200 (160lph for up to 120litre tanks) for £17 and change from ebay, free p&p and includes air line, stone and non-return valve.

Does anyone have any experience with them? Are they actually quieter (30dbs apparently)?

 

[Hiya70310]

Whoa??? Non return valve. I've seen them but what are they? I mean what do you do with it???

 

[waterdrop]

Whoa??? Non return valve. I've seen them but what are they? I mean what do you do with it???

Normally one needs to place an airpump *above* the surface level of the water in the tank so that if the power goes out and the pump stops, the water will not then capillary back through the airline and into the bellows device, damaging it.

If the pump will not be placed above the tank then a non-return (aka one-way valve) can be used to protect the pump.

Adjustable gang valves are also quite useful with airpumps. Its usually useful to get a gang of two or 3 little brass knobbed valves so that you can add extra airstones or devices and more importantly so that you can adjust the air flow to control bubbles and to help control sound. Diaphragm pumps will emit different pitches and types of noise depending on the backpressure and nature of the devices they are feeding.

~~waterdrop~~