Air pump that last more than a year?

[StogieC]

Until a few years I always used Aqua Clear power heads for aeration. They lasted FOREVER and were really low/no maintenance. When I ditched the UGF and went to a canister my power heads no-longer had a home in the tank. So I burried an 11" long air stone and added a bubble wand with a whisper 60 air pump.

6 months later the diaphragms were shot and I wanted a little more drive so I got the whisper 100. Another 6 months and the diaphragms were split on it too. Turns out that they use the same part in both models. I've replaced them three more times now. My LFS is out of parts for the pump so I just got done sliming them down in silicone to get them going again. 6 failures to date.

Who makes a quiet, dual output, air pump that really lasts?

 

[Sab_Fan]

weird; I had one dual-output Whisper that quit on me (only one port still works) and the other has been running for years, zero problems . . . I've also had zero problems with whisper single-output pumps . . .

based on your situation, I wouldn't recommend Whisper, but I use 'em because they're cheap, and I haven't had much trouble, especially with the single-output models

 

[StogieC]

The Whisper dual output pumps are really two pumps in one. There's one transformer that powers two rubber diaphragms. The replacements for the 100 and 60 models cost about $10 per set. The older ones are about $4 per set.

 

[Noto]

I've tried half a dozen different brands of diaphragm air pumps, and they all seem to wear out pretty quickly. The Whispers actually have performed better for me than Rena, Hagen, etc. I have a fairly new Fusion which has not yet worn out, but does not produce nearly as much pressure as the similarly-rated Whisper model.

I am considering buying a Coralife Luft Pump as I have heard good things about it. If that one wears out, I am officially swearing off diaphragm pumps and stepping up to piston pumps.