My Air Pump Headaches Continue...

ClinicaTerra · 08-29-2011, 02:33 PM

Not sure what is going on here, but I just replaced my Whisper 100 pump because my bubble wand, again, starting spitting out decaying levels of bubbles until nothing was pretty much coming out. After reading the horrendous user reviews on the Tetra Whisper 100 in particular (see link I provide here) :

Amazon.com: Tetra 77855 Whisper Air Pump, 100-Gallon: Pet Supplies

I decided to yank out the pump and start over -- I went back to a local PetSmart and exchanged the Whisper 100 for a Rena Air 400 they had in stock, which I read was supposed to be their best pump going right now in the consumer line; however, after hooking up the new pump and "bridging" the two air output lines so that they combine and feed one air line going into my one 48" bubble wand, there were STILL drips and drabs of bubbles...WITH THE BRAND NEW AIR PUMP IN PLACE...

So, I yanked out the bubble wand and did a vinegar/water dip to try and release any debris that may have gotten lodged in there -- that seemed to have opened some pores, and now the bubbles are coming out in a somewhat steady stream of a curtain, but even with the Rena pump's dual flow control knobs running all the way open at full power output, there STILL isn't that "explosion" of bubbles I would have expected from a brand new powerful pump like this. What am I doing wrong? Shouldn't a pump that is supposed to be good for powering ornaments and such in tanks 100 gallons plus be good enough for my mere 60 gallon?

Does anyone know who makes the absolute best aquarium air pump in terms of power output, and where I can buy it?

I'm so sick of NOTHING working right in my tank already...

susankat · 08-29-2011, 03:13 PM

I don't think its the pump, I would say its the bubble wand. What I would do is to try 2 smaller ones since the pump has 2 outlets.

ClinicaTerra · 08-29-2011, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by susankat

I don't think its the pump, I would say its the bubble wand. What I would do is to try 2 smaller ones since the pump has 2 outlets.

Thanks, as always, for your prompt reply, Susan...

I'm beginning to think it's the wand, too -- but did you happen to read any of those reviews on the Whisper 100 I provided? Every single user seemed to have the same problem I did -- the pump stopped working after like three months, which is exactly what happened to us. Also, if it is the wand, then why is the new Rena now putting out much more bubbles than when I had the Tetra hooked up? Wouldn't the same "lack of bubbles" problem happen when I hooked up the new pump?

Can you recommend smaller bubble bars/wands I could use?

FAIRCHILD · 08-29-2011, 03:56 PM

I am with Susan on this one. I would replace the bubble wand.

ClinicaTerra · 08-29-2011, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 28Photos

I am with Susan on this one. I would replace the bubble wand.

Thanks, 'Photos...

Can you give me a bit more insight as to why you feel this way, that it must be the wand? If I replace this wand, it will be the second time doing so -- I had a couple of Top Fin brand wands connected and suction-cupped to the rear of the tank at first, and these too seemed to have clogged up and died; I don't know if I should keep replacing them...

I'm hesitant because of all the poor reviews I saw on the Tetra Whisper I just replaced -- it seems to me this pump could have been the problem...

susankat · 08-29-2011, 04:15 PM

Well for one thing the second pump you got is suppose to be good. The bubble wands are round and narrow. I always prefered the ones that are square as they are bigger and put out more bubbles. Air flow is better and clog up less.

They are called bubble bars http://s.petco.com/assets/product_im...443086414C.jpg

ClinicaTerra · 08-29-2011, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by susankat

Well for one thing the second pump you got is suppose to be good. The bubble wands are round and narrow. I always prefered the ones that are square as they are bigger and put out more bubbles. Air flow is better and clog up less.

They are called bubble bars http://s.petco.com/assets/product_im...443086414C.jpg

Thank you, Susan...I will look into the bars...

Two of these wouldn't fill the back wall of a 60 gallon though, would they? The length would be 48 inches...

ClinicaTerra · 08-29-2011, 04:59 PM

One other question, Susan -- where did you find the link for that bubble bar? I can't seem to find it on Petco's site; the ones they have seem cheesy compared to the one you linked...

susankat · 08-29-2011, 05:08 PM

air pumps and accessaries, was about middle ways
next to airline brass T valve. They should be made to where you can connect them together.

Aquarium Air Pumps - Fish Tank Air Pumps and Aquarium Air Stones from PETCO.com

ClinicaTerra · 08-29-2011, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by susankat

air pumps and accessaries, was about middle ways
next to airline brass T valve. They should be made to where you can connect them together.

Aquarium Air Pumps - Fish Tank Air Pumps and Aquarium Air Stones from PETCO.com

Yes -- I actually found them after I posted; they're also on Amazon...

I just wonder if these will really be good, because if you read the owner's comments on the Petco site, it seems most people say it's junk...

Klinemw · 08-29-2011, 05:50 PM

I am using a couple of Silent Giant pumps (single output) on my two make up water tubs; (Roughneck Trash Cans) one for new salt water and one for freshwater. I use cheap 6"-9" long air stones on the bottom of the trash cans with these pumps and the water boils on the surface. The air stones get replaced periodically (5-6 months) as they start to get plugged up. I know that one of these pumps has been in near constant use for over 11 years with no apparent degradation in air flow, but I would consider that exceptional performance.

Generally air pumps don't like back pressure and will die a quick death if you're trying to push too much air into the stone. I always plumb the air line tubing into a valve between the pump and the air stone that will let me bleed excess pressure from the pump. Another thing that I do is set the pump on a thin piece of foam (a) to dampen the vibrations, and perhaps more importantly (b) to filter the air before its pumped into the stone to literally clog it from the inside out. Periodically I replace the foam "prefilter". I also never put a pump on the floor, even with a check valve, because of the dirt ingested over time by the pump.

I hope this helps. Of course your mileage may vary, but this is what I have done with good success.

Klinemw

susankat · 08-29-2011, 06:12 PM

My pump sits on the floor because it has to. It's a big piston pump that will run 100 sponge filters. It's already has 38 of them hooked up to it.

Mushtang · 08-29-2011, 10:12 PM

Try putting the bubble wand in the water for an hour before connecting it to an air hose. This is what the directions said to do on the one I have running in my tank.

sondre · 08-31-2011, 07:39 AM

Can i just ask you if Rena pump is not as noisy as other pumps ? Thanks.

ClinicaTerra · 08-31-2011, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sondre

Can i just ask you if Rena pump is not as noisy as other pumps ? Thanks.

Sondre,

No, my Rena is actually very very quiet -- my Whisper 60 wasn't, but the Whisper 100 was, and the Top Fin brand one I had was a MONSTER of a noisemaker; to the point I had to turn the air flow knob WAY down. Just awful.

Stay FAR AWAY from the Top Fin air pumps (and I was running their "best" one) or anything Top Fin (PetSmart's brand) for that matter...

ClinicaTerra · 08-31-2011, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mushtang

Try putting the bubble wand in the water for an hour before connecting it to an air hose. This is what the directions said to do on the one I have running in my tank.

Yeah, Mush, apparently that's what I read too -- about soaking these things for an hour before connecting them to a hose. I didn't do this with my current Marineland flexible wand, as the directions didn't say to, but now the wand is many months old anyway, so...

I don't get those instructions; is there a reason for this?

ClinicaTerra · 08-31-2011, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by susankat

My pump sits on the floor because it has to.

As does mine for the same reason -- it has to. I don't have another place for it except for on the floor, behind the tank's oak stand...

ClinicaTerra · 08-31-2011, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Klinemw

Generally air pumps don't like back pressure and will die a quick death if you're trying to push too much air into the stone.

This was a theory I was afraid of, and why I suspect I myself keep "killing" the pumps I buy -- I have been "bridging" the dual outputs of these pumps so that both outputs, through a "T" bar, feed double the power to one common line that feeds my one bubble wand, being that we don't have any other ornaments that need bubbles in the tank. I am beginning to think -- even though brands like Tetra and Rena recommend it in the directions they provide with these pumps -- that by doing this, the backpressure is killing the motors...but I don't know how else to get maximum power from these pumps just to feed ONE air line, like in my situation, without doing this "output bridging"...

Quote:

I always plumb the air line tubing into a valve between the pump and the air stone that will let me bleed excess pressure from the pump. Another thing that I do is set the pump on a thin piece of foam (a) to dampen the vibrations, and perhaps more importantly (b) to filter the air before its pumped into the stone to literally clog it from the inside out. Periodically I replace the foam "prefilter". I also never put a pump on the floor, even with a check valve, because of the dirt ingested over time by the pump.

This is yet ANOTHER issue which has bothered me -- could it be perhaps that because my pumps sit on a carpeted floor directly, the air filter/intake is continuously getting clogged? I didn't think these pumps needed a special "surface" to sit on; apparently, they CAN get clogged.

Does a pump HAVE to go ANYWHERE other than a floor for success?

Help is appreciated!!

susankat · 08-31-2011, 04:01 PM

Mine has to sit on the floor not because of space but the big piston pumps will vibrate any furniture it sits on. This pump has one outlet that is 1/2 wide and you have to use certain size of tubing wrapped around the room near the ceiling then I add small outlets by punching a hole, putting in barbed outlet that you connect to airline.

Klinemw · 08-31-2011, 04:03 PM

Some of the pumps that I have seen on the market today have a little felt or other fibrous material covering the air intake that's often on the bottom of the pump. Many do not.

The pumps are going to push intake air through your stone. My experience says that if I can keep that intake air as clean as possible I will extend the life of my air stone. They get clogged from the inside out. Break a clogged air stone apart; you can often see the discoloration showing how it was clogged.

Unfortunately, many people find the only place left for an air pump is the floor; especially with large commercial grade pumps. Another problem with having an air pump on the floor is the potential siphon created if power goes off. A check valve can prevent the siphon, but can increase the back pressure on the pump which can shorten the life of the pump. If you don't use a check valve, you can siphon water from the tank into the pump, also potentially shortening the life of the pump. It may not be an option for you but a shelf, even one that hangs off the back or side of the tank, might help. Foam weather stripping will help with the vibration noise.

As always, your mileage may vary. Good luck.

Klinemw

08-29-2011, 02:33 PM	#1 (permalink)
ClinicaTerra Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 433 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 0 Times Said "Thanks" 6 Times Was Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	My Air Pump Headaches Continue... Not sure what is going on here, but I just replaced my Whisper 100 pump because my bubble wand, again, starting spitting out decaying levels of bubbles until nothing was pretty much coming out. After reading the horrendous user reviews on the Tetra Whisper 100 in particular (see link I provide here) : Amazon.com: Tetra 77855 Whisper Air Pump, 100-Gallon: Pet Supplies I decided to yank out the pump and start over -- I went back to a local PetSmart and exchanged the Whisper 100 for a Rena Air 400 they had in stock, which I read was supposed to be their best pump going right now in the consumer line; however, after hooking up the new pump and "bridging" the two air output lines so that they combine and feed one air line going into my one 48" bubble wand, there were STILL drips and drabs of bubbles...WITH THE BRAND NEW AIR PUMP IN PLACE... So, I yanked out the bubble wand and did a vinegar/water dip to try and release any debris that may have gotten lodged in there -- that seemed to have opened some pores, and now the bubbles are coming out in a somewhat steady stream of a curtain, but even with the Rena pump's dual flow control knobs running all the way open at full power output, there STILL isn't that "explosion" of bubbles I would have expected from a brand new powerful pump like this. What am I doing wrong? Shouldn't a pump that is supposed to be good for powering ornaments and such in tanks 100 gallons plus be good enough for my mere 60 gallon? Does anyone know who makes the absolute best aquarium air pump in terms of power output, and where I can buy it? I'm so sick of NOTHING working right in my tank already... __________________ FUJIMOTO 60-GALLON RECTANGULAR - BLACK OAK STAND & FULL CANOPY - AQUEON GLASS VERSA-TOP (24"X1) & FLUORESCENT LIGHT STRIP - MARINELAND PERFECTO GLASS CANOPY (24"X1) AQUEON QUIETFLOW 55 325GPH (1) - HAGEN AQUACLEAR A-620/110 500GPH (1) RENA AIR 400 (1) - TETRA WHISPER 60 AIR PUMP (1) - PETCO BUBBLE BARS (18"X2) RED CAP ORANDA (1) - CHOCOLATE/GOLD FANTAIL (1) - CALICO RYUKIN (1) - NEW! - ]RED/ORANGE RYUKIN (1) - NEW!

08-29-2011, 03:13 PM	#2 (permalink)
susankat Pleco n bn breeder n BOSS susankat's Photo Gallery Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 5,417 Name: Susan Location: Tulsa, Ok Feedback: 9 / 100% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 2,082 Times Said "Thanks" 1,610 Times Was Thanked 1,808 Times in 1,549 Posts	Re: My Air Pump Headaches Continue... I don't think its the pump, I would say its the bubble wand. What I would do is to try 2 smaller ones since the pump has 2 outlets. __________________ SUCCESS IS MEASURED BY YEARS, NOT MONTHS!!! 220 Tank build http://www.aquariumforum.com/f15/sta...late-3253.html

08-29-2011, 03:56 PM	#4 (permalink)
FAIRCHILD 22 Tanks = ADDICTED! FAIRCHILD's Photo Gallery Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 347 Name: Billy Location: Ohio My location Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 58 Times Said "Thanks" 115 Times Was Thanked 66 Times in 61 Posts	Re: My Air Pump Headaches Continue... I am with Susan on this one. I would replace the bubble wand. __________________ 55 Gal Planted Community Tank 50 Gal Sand Planted Bronze Cory Tank 20 Gal Planted RCS Tank 20 Gal PlantTank "Beaslbob" 20 Gal Planted RCS Tank 20 Gal Platy Breeding Tank 15 Gal Electric Blue Crayfish Breeding Tank 15 Gal Platy Breeding Tank (3) 15 Gal Planted RCS Tanks 10 Gal Planted Golden Mystery Snail Breeding Tank 10 Gal Planted RCS Tank 10 Gal Swordtail Tank 10 Gal Endler Tank 5 Gal RCS Display Tank 4 15 Gal RCS Tanks (Waiting to stock) 2 20 Gal Longs (Waiting to stock)

08-29-2011, 04:15 PM	#6 (permalink)
susankat Pleco n bn breeder n BOSS susankat's Photo Gallery Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 5,417 Name: Susan Location: Tulsa, Ok Feedback: 9 / 100% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 2,082 Times Said "Thanks" 1,610 Times Was Thanked 1,808 Times in 1,549 Posts	Re: My Air Pump Headaches Continue... Well for one thing the second pump you got is suppose to be good. The bubble wands are round and narrow. I always prefered the ones that are square as they are bigger and put out more bubbles. Air flow is better and clog up less. They are called bubble bars http://s.petco.com/assets/product_im...443086414C.jpg __________________ SUCCESS IS MEASURED BY YEARS, NOT MONTHS!!! 220 Tank build http://www.aquariumforum.com/f15/sta...late-3253.html

08-29-2011, 04:59 PM	#8 (permalink)
ClinicaTerra Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 433 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 0 Times Said "Thanks" 6 Times Was Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Re: My Air Pump Headaches Continue... One other question, Susan -- where did you find the link for that bubble bar? I can't seem to find it on Petco's site; the ones they have seem cheesy compared to the one you linked... __________________ FUJIMOTO 60-GALLON RECTANGULAR - BLACK OAK STAND & FULL CANOPY - AQUEON GLASS VERSA-TOP (24"X1) & FLUORESCENT LIGHT STRIP - MARINELAND PERFECTO GLASS CANOPY (24"X1) AQUEON QUIETFLOW 55 325GPH (1) - HAGEN AQUACLEAR A-620/110 500GPH (1) RENA AIR 400 (1) - TETRA WHISPER 60 AIR PUMP (1) - PETCO BUBBLE BARS (18"X2) RED CAP ORANDA (1) - CHOCOLATE/GOLD FANTAIL (1) - CALICO RYUKIN (1) - NEW! - ]RED/ORANGE RYUKIN (1) - NEW!

Members currently in the chatroom: 1
	The most chatters online in one day was 16, 03-02-2012. Kehy

08-29-2011, 05:08 PM	#9 (permalink)
susankat Pleco n bn breeder n BOSS susankat's Photo Gallery Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 5,417 Name: Susan Location: Tulsa, Ok Feedback: 9 / 100% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 2,082 Times Said "Thanks" 1,610 Times Was Thanked 1,808 Times in 1,549 Posts	Re: My Air Pump Headaches Continue... air pumps and accessaries, was about middle ways next to airline brass T valve. They should be made to where you can connect them together. Aquarium Air Pumps - Fish Tank Air Pumps and Aquarium Air Stones from PETCO.com __________________ SUCCESS IS MEASURED BY YEARS, NOT MONTHS!!! 220 Tank build http://www.aquariumforum.com/f15/sta...late-3253.html

08-29-2011, 05:50 PM	#11 (permalink)
Klinemw Klinemw's Photo Gallery Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 94 Location: Olathe, Kansas My location Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 2 Times Said "Thanks" 13 Times Was Thanked 4 Times in 3 Posts	Re: My Air Pump Headaches Continue... I am using a couple of Silent Giant pumps (single output) on my two make up water tubs; (Roughneck Trash Cans) one for new salt water and one for freshwater. I use cheap 6"-9" long air stones on the bottom of the trash cans with these pumps and the water boils on the surface. The air stones get replaced periodically (5-6 months) as they start to get plugged up. I know that one of these pumps has been in near constant use for over 11 years with no apparent degradation in air flow, but I would consider that exceptional performance. Generally air pumps don't like back pressure and will die a quick death if you're trying to push too much air into the stone. I always plumb the air line tubing into a valve between the pump and the air stone that will let me bleed excess pressure from the pump. Another thing that I do is set the pump on a thin piece of foam (a) to dampen the vibrations, and perhaps more importantly (b) to filter the air before its pumped into the stone to literally clog it from the inside out. Periodically I replace the foam "prefilter". I also never put a pump on the floor, even with a check valve, because of the dirt ingested over time by the pump. I hope this helps. Of course your mileage may vary, but this is what I have done with good success. Klinemw

08-29-2011, 06:12 PM	#12 (permalink)
susankat Pleco n bn breeder n BOSS susankat's Photo Gallery Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 5,417 Name: Susan Location: Tulsa, Ok Feedback: 9 / 100% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 2,082 Times Said "Thanks" 1,610 Times Was Thanked 1,808 Times in 1,549 Posts	Re: My Air Pump Headaches Continue... My pump sits on the floor because it has to. It's a big piston pump that will run 100 sponge filters. It's already has 38 of them hooked up to it. __________________ SUCCESS IS MEASURED BY YEARS, NOT MONTHS!!! 220 Tank build http://www.aquariumforum.com/f15/sta...late-3253.html

08-29-2011, 10:12 PM	#13 (permalink)
Mushtang Mushtang's Photo Gallery Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 39 Name: Joe Location: Buford, GA My location Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 4 Times Said "Thanks" 7 Times Was Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts	Re: My Air Pump Headaches Continue... Try putting the bubble wand in the water for an hour before connecting it to an air hose. This is what the directions said to do on the one I have running in my tank.

08-31-2011, 07:39 AM	#14 (permalink)
sondre Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 185 Name: Sandra Location: Essex,UK Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 26 Times Said "Thanks" 71 Times Was Thanked 7 Times in 7 Posts	Re: My Air Pump Headaches Continue... Can i just ask you if Rena pump is not as noisy as other pumps ? Thanks.

08-31-2011, 04:01 PM	#19 (permalink)
susankat Pleco n bn breeder n BOSS susankat's Photo Gallery Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 5,417 Name: Susan Location: Tulsa, Ok Feedback: 9 / 100% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 2,082 Times Said "Thanks" 1,610 Times Was Thanked 1,808 Times in 1,549 Posts	Re: My Air Pump Headaches Continue... Mine has to sit on the floor not because of space but the big piston pumps will vibrate any furniture it sits on. This pump has one outlet that is 1/2 wide and you have to use certain size of tubing wrapped around the room near the ceiling then I add small outlets by punching a hole, putting in barbed outlet that you connect to airline. __________________ SUCCESS IS MEASURED BY YEARS, NOT MONTHS!!! 220 Tank build http://www.aquariumforum.com/f15/sta...late-3253.html

08-31-2011, 04:03 PM	#20 (permalink)
Klinemw Klinemw's Photo Gallery Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 94 Location: Olathe, Kansas My location Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 2 Times Said "Thanks" 13 Times Was Thanked 4 Times in 3 Posts	Re: My Air Pump Headaches Continue... Some of the pumps that I have seen on the market today have a little felt or other fibrous material covering the air intake that's often on the bottom of the pump. Many do not. The pumps are going to push intake air through your stone. My experience says that if I can keep that intake air as clean as possible I will extend the life of my air stone. They get clogged from the inside out. Break a clogged air stone apart; you can often see the discoloration showing how it was clogged. Unfortunately, many people find the only place left for an air pump is the floor; especially with large commercial grade pumps. Another problem with having an air pump on the floor is the potential siphon created if power goes off. A check valve can prevent the siphon, but can increase the back pressure on the pump which can shorten the life of the pump. If you don't use a check valve, you can siphon water from the tank into the pump, also potentially shortening the life of the pump. It may not be an option for you but a shelf, even one that hangs off the back or side of the tank, might help. Foam weather stripping will help with the vibration noise. As always, your mileage may vary. Good luck. Klinemw

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)