So my 360G build is underway. I have all the major things i need in order and realized ive never bought an air pump for a tank of this size. Most pumps have rating for like 20 - 100 gallon set ups. Would i be able to get away with putting a smaller air pump in the tank (cost efficient) or do they sell special air pumps for larger set ups. Any advice would be helpful. Thanks
Air Pump Advice
- Thread starter Spencergoddard
- Start date
Try a smaller one, its really dependent on the height of the water level in the tank. Im using 1 thats for a 100 on my 240g with no problem. If you have good circulation and water surface agitation along with it then it should work. If not just add another
Go with math on it. For every output/sponge filter/air stones/etc, you should plan of approximately 0.04-0.05 cubic feet per minute off of your air pump. Go with 0.05 for a deeper tank (>20")
Air pumps are either listed in LPM (Liters Per Minute) or CFM (Cubic Feet Per Minute)
Conversion - 1 cfm / 0.0353 = 1 LPM
So, with 5 air stones, 5x0.05=0.25cfm or 7.08 LPM
Hopefully this helps.
Air pumps are either listed in LPM (Liters Per Minute) or CFM (Cubic Feet Per Minute)
Conversion - 1 cfm / 0.0353 = 1 LPM
So, with 5 air stones, 5x0.05=0.25cfm or 7.08 LPM
Hopefully this helps.
http://www.kensfish.com/moreinfo/ecoplus-commercial-air-3.html
i use the 5 for my entire fishroom. the 3 will be more than youl ever need.
i use the 5 for my entire fishroom. the 3 will be more than youl ever need.
I'd say a diaphram pump is more up your alley. I had one like what is linked above. Loudest air pump I have ever heard.
Check these out. Plenty of options to choose from.
http://www.jehmco.com/html/central_air_pumps.html
Check these out. Plenty of options to choose from.
http://www.jehmco.com/html/central_air_pumps.html
yeah mine is a lil noisy. but pushes a ton of air. mines located in another room and plummed into the fishroom so i dont hear it
Hello; One way I have kept weak air pumps in operation for a while has been to raise the air stone to a higher level (not as deep) in the tank. Over time air pumps tend to become weak and not be able to push air to the bottom of a deep tank. As I live some distance from a decent fish shop I have used this method to keep some bubbles working in a tank for circulation and surface agitation. The effect will be similar to a bubbler near the bottom of a tank just a bit more unsightly.
There was a period several decades ago when all my filtration was powered by air bubbles in some manner. I also suspect that the tiny valves were made of rubber then and not silicone as they are now, so were more prone to fail.
I have also found it possible to reduce the air pump back pressure by using less restrictive air stones or just simply having an open tube end. Some air operated equipment, such as sponge filters, will work quite well without an air stone and with just the open end of an air tube. The bubbles are large but still generate flow.
Air pumps are rated for depth as well as air volume, but these generally cost a bit more.
I had an air pump grow too weak to operate my tanks a short time back. I went to the local Wal-Mart and picked up a dual outlet air pump for about $11.00. I had planned to use it until I make the 55 mile trip to Knoxville TN and pick up a good pump. To my surprise it not only operated the four pieces of equipment strongly I have had to bleed off some of the air as it was running things too strongly. Depending on the depth of your tank such a pump may work and not be as costly to buy.
There was a period several decades ago when all my filtration was powered by air bubbles in some manner. I also suspect that the tiny valves were made of rubber then and not silicone as they are now, so were more prone to fail.
I have also found it possible to reduce the air pump back pressure by using less restrictive air stones or just simply having an open tube end. Some air operated equipment, such as sponge filters, will work quite well without an air stone and with just the open end of an air tube. The bubbles are large but still generate flow.
Air pumps are rated for depth as well as air volume, but these generally cost a bit more.
I had an air pump grow too weak to operate my tanks a short time back. I went to the local Wal-Mart and picked up a dual outlet air pump for about $11.00. I had planned to use it until I make the 55 mile trip to Knoxville TN and pick up a good pump. To my surprise it not only operated the four pieces of equipment strongly I have had to bleed off some of the air as it was running things too strongly. Depending on the depth of your tank such a pump may work and not be as costly to buy.
I ran a small Gast blower when I had near 50 various size tanks going, blower did have an annoying whine though. When I tried to scale back and supply about half that many tanks I struggled to find an intermeadiate solution. Tried going back to a pile of powerheads but that was just as expensive to run as the blower. The unit suggested 4 or 5 posts back is very interesting. As previosly noted big tanks usually imply deep which means you need a lot of pump to get good volume at depth.