selecting an air pump for a large aquarium

[dawnmarie]

I am trying to decide on a new larger air pump for my 240.
I currently use a Rena 300 to power one air stone and am going to change to two 24" air walls.
The Rena 400 might do the trick and I also looked at Coralife's Luft pump which seems a little overkill.
What do you all think ?
Is there something in between ?

 

[pjsmetana]

I just use the cheap ELITE air pumps. They vibrate a lot but they seem quite reliable. Granted I only use them to make bubbles for decoration. My filters create more than enough aeration... as any decent filter does.

 

[Bderick67]

I have the coralife luft pump. Not real impressed with it considering the price.

 

[dawnmarie]

I just use the cheap ELITE air pumps. They vibrate a lot but they seem quite reliable. Granted I only use them to make bubbles for decoration. My filters create more than enough aeration... as any decent filter does.

That may be true in most applications, however, in closed loop systems, such as mine, there is no aeration in the filter circuit. The gas exchange (diffusion) occurs only at the water's surface.Another function of airstones ,air walls etc. is circulation. In my application the air walls will assist in circulation and removal of waste gasses thus the air pump is an integral part of the setup and worthy of a small investment for a quality piece.

Bderick67 : Thanks for the info on the Luft pump.
Besides the price what don't you like about it?
Do you have a suggestion which pump to purchase ?

 

[JK47]

I run two whisper 30-60 units on my 220g and will be doing the same for my 300g because it gives me four outlets to hook onto. I really like this brand. I've had about 12 varying in size in the past and only had an issue (blown diaphram) with one that was pretty old. I don't run stones or walls, I use them for sponge filters. It aerates the same as a stone but gives me a filter(s) I can throw in a QT tank quickly if needed. Never owned a Rena model, do you like yours?

 

[frasertheking]

you should have a look on ebay for pond air pumps they are a lot bigger and cheaper for there size

 

[dunderman]

you should have a look on ebay for pond air pumps they are a lot bigger and cheaper for there size

Not to mention noisier. If noise isn't an issue, I agree. If noise is an issue, I agree with the Whisper suggestion. I used them for years with no problem.

Have you considered a power head or two? Most have a venturi port that pulls in air to mix with the water. You can put them anywhere in the tank, and they work better for circulation than bubble walls.

 

[dawnmarie]

I run two whisper 30-60 units on my 220g and will be doing the same for my 300g because it gives me four outlets to hook onto. I really like this brand. I've had about 12 varying in size in the past and only had an issue (blown diaphram) with one that was pretty old. I don't run stones or walls, I use them for sponge filters. It aerates the same as a stone but gives me a filter(s) I can throw in a QT tank quickly if needed. Never owned a Rena model, do you like yours?

My Rena's work OK and are acceptably quiet I just need more air for the air wall's. The reason for the airwalls is as much or more for the circulation as aeration. I may have to think about using two pumps as you have as I like the idea of redundancy. Hmmm

you should have a look on ebay for pond air pumps they are a lot bigger and cheaper for there size

Not to mention noisier. If noise isn't an issue, I agree. If noise is an issue, I agree with the Whisper suggestion. I used them for years with no problem.

Have you considered a power head or two? Most have a venturi port that pulls in air to mix with the water. You can put them anywhere in the tank, and they work better for circulation than bubble walls.

Noise is an issue.
I chose not to do powerheads as I am going for a totally uncluttered tank and have a need for upward flow alond the rear wall of the tank. I guess I should look at the Whispers befor buying.

Has anyone had experience with both Whisper and Rena that could give a comparison of output and noise ?

 

[JK47]

I like have the two so there is always a backup "just in case" as well and as I itdicated I often pull one pump off and run the sponge on another tank so this leaves me flexability. Noise is an issue for me too so that's another reason I like the whisper brand.

Question, if your looking at buying pumps anyway, have you considered the kind that switch to battery power in case of power outages? That's what I plan on converting over to at the end of the summer. (another reason for sponges on air as well for backup after loosing power this past winter) just a thought.

 

[Bderick67]

Bderick67 : Thanks for the info on the Luft pump.
Besides the price what don't you like about it?
Do you have a suggestion which pump to purchase ?

Don't get me wrong it works well, I drive two or three sponge filters with it. The reostat feature is nice if I were to want less air. For the price though (about 70 bucks) it doesn't seem that it does any better then any other pumps I've used at a fraction of the cost.