Rule of thumb on air volume per outlet?

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
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Ohtanksalot

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Jun 28, 2008
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Ohio
Air pump Question here...

  • My main Question...
What is amount of air in litres per minute I should expect to use per outlet.

  • My setup...
I have multiple aquariums with multiple sponge filters(see pic). I currently use multiple small hobby "Tetra Whisper" type airpumps. Maximum water depth in my tanks is 18" I would like to buy a central airpump for all 20 tanks in my fishroom. I would like the pump to be quiet as well. I am using sponge filters which pretty much free-flow air, no airstones. I have read specs on many air pumps that are rated in Litres of air per minute, not in how many outlets at 12" depth they can run:wall:. Any suggestions on a pump for 20-25 outlets would also be appreciated.

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Bump for you. I'd like to know the answer to this question also.
 
i am currently using a linear piston pump which i bought from jehmco. They state it will run 20-25 outlets (rated at 29 LPM). I currently run 15 sponge filters and usually have another 2-3 air stones running for egg tumblers. I even have one line left open on a 3 ft long length of tubing ( i just haven't closed the valve on this yet. i had in running as when i bought the pump they said to run at least 12 outlets so that back pressure won't damage the pump)

It is quiet. the sponge filters themselves are louder then the pump.

josh
 
Joshmonica, thanks for the info and which model do you have?
 
There is no hard fast rule when it comes to air requirements. There are too many variables to contend with to be able to calculate any such rules. Factors include; pump CFMs, manifold length x diameter, manifold valve length x diameter x valve throw, airline length and rigidity, airstone resistance and dimensions, water depth, water density/salinity, feed line curl, elevation of system from sea level, temperature and barometric pressure, ad infinitum. I tried to figure out a simple calculation table several years ago but, my head implodes when I try fitting each algorithm to another.
 
i have the model they list as LPH 26. On their website they list the number of outlets each of the air pumps can run.

Josh
 
Not to sound like I drank an el grande testosterone' for breakfast, but I would go BIG. As big as the wallet can handle. Just like joshmonica said, you can always provide a venting means at the end of your header, to prevent back pressure that may damage your pump. You can vent this outside, if your climate allows, or install a muffler ( so it is not too loud ) and just vent the extra air into your "people space". If you go big you won't have to deal with upgrades in the near future. Near future could be next month if you already have 20 tanks. My wife has added about 10 tanks ( 40 breeder - 210g) to her arsenal in the last month. Go BIG, you know you want more tanks! "pay me now or pay me later".
 
Thanks joshmonica and oddball...

I am now considering the LPH26 Linear Piston Air pump from jehmco.com are there any maintenance procedures with a pump like this? Diaphragm pumps are notorious for tearing up. Any problems with a Linear piston other than thieir steep price? I was also thinking of locating it in an adjacent storage room and then plumbing it 3/4 way around the perimeter of my fishroom (10'x14')with 3/4"Sch40 PVC pipe and drilling and fitting threadded metal air valves in where I need air and putting a airline dropper down to the tank. Does this sound ok? Should I go with the next size up, the LPH45, due to my delivery system and just bleed off extra air at the end with a PVC ballvalve? I would have never thought of all the variables the oddball mentioned.
 
if i where to do it over i would have went with the next size up. My fishroom is expanding.

They suggest running the pvc pipe in a full loop. I have a loop 10'x5' out of 3/4in Sch 40 pvc pipe. I have 20 metal air valve around the loop. From these i drop the airline into the tanks as you describe. I bought the valves and 300 ft of silicone air line tubing from jehmco also.

only maintenance that i know of is replacing the airfilter every 6 months. you can wash them out and reuse. From what i read before i bought this pump is that linear piston pumps should last 7-8 years before the piston needs replaced. Mine is less than a year old so only time will tell.

josh
 
Linear piston pumps (at least the ones I've used) require regular flap gasket replacements and oil seal replacements. They tend to discharge oil when the seals are going.
I've since gone to high CFM squirrel cage type blowers. My current one runs over 100 sponge filters. I have 3/4" pvc pipe in a loop as a manifold. Brass screw-in pin valves adjust the air to individual tanks. This blower has been running for 7 years with no problems. I tore it down 2 years ago to check the vanes for buildup and found ery little. I replaced the cone-type inlet filter with a homemade box inlet. I use 3 standard furnace filters, doubled up, to keep the system clear. I replace the filters at approximately 6 month intervals.
 
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