Elemental O2 VS Danner Pondmaster Air Pumps

So far in my aquarium life I have only ever used cheap pumps from local fish stores. Has anyone ever used one or the other of these pumps and can give some ideas or comparisons??? It will be used to fluidize Kaldnes K1 media in a sump and also have a split off for an air stone in the tank. What I am most curious in knowing is this.

How noise they are?
How is their lifespan and durability?

Really? Nobody has used either of these?

So what kind of air pumps does everyone use to make their kaldnes K1 fluidize then?

Dieselhybrid said:

I use the pond master ap100 on a few of my larger tanks and ponds. I use k1 in all of them. I love the pump, it isn't too loud, and moves a ton of air. The negative? I've replaced 5 diagrams in around 2 years on 3 pumps. The rebuild kits are fairly cheap, I bought a dozen. But these pumps do require periodic maintenance.

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Mental note buy rebuild kits when ordering pump. Thank you!

Dieselhybrid said:

That was supposed to say diaphragms. Sorry

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No biggie I understood. I figured that is what you ment. Believe me my auto correct has screwed up worse than that before.

Thanks guys. Another question though is the air flow on the pondmaster AP100s adjustable or is it just strait up full flow. Because I really don't need that much flow now but for only $10-$20 more to get it over the AP60 if I can dial it back a little and then have something to grow into. If it doesn't come adjustable can a valve be put in line to dial it down or is that hard on the diaphragm? Or would you recommend I just go with the AP60?

DB junkie said:

I seemed to blow out diaphragms faster with little to no backpressure (using drilled PVC as opposed to actual air stones)

You can't have too much air. IF you do you simply don't have enough fish tank..... Add more.

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I like your thinking.