Help on old equipment

[Dralion]

:help: Hi everyone. I have a 48"x18"x20" tenecor acrylic tank w/ built-in simplicity plus 1 or 2 wet/dry filtration (3stage). It is currently holding around 50Gal freshwater, 1 feeder goldfish (3"), 1 oranda (2.5"), 1 koi (3") + 3 Chin. AlgaeEater (1.5", 2", 2").
:help:
I received this tank+stand 12 years ago w/ a MAGNUM 350 Canister filter and Secondnature Supra 4 air filter. I was using a Penguin 125 filter for the last 5 years keeping a small number, 3-6 feeder fish. Now I have the 6 fish mentioned above and am using #20 silica sand as substrate. I just started up the Magnum a few days ago after replacing the O-ring and the parts still look good.

Now the Supra 4 air pump is not putting out enough air to drive even an air disc at the bottom of my tank. I opened it and it seems that some screw holders on the cover have been stripped (The case doesnt not seal tight anymore). After removing the pump unit from the case and turning it on, I've figured out the basic elements of it (air intake, diaphragms, filter, exhaust). I've researched that since this pump is so old (1989) it has long since been obselete. It can however utilize the TETRATEC DW-96-2 replacement parts kits. Should I purchase one ($7-15) or get a new pump?

Since the MAGNUM 350 does mechanical & chemical filtration, I am looking for something to contribute biological filtration.
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*built-in wet/dry filter reservoir is out of service (bio-balls, covers + parts are lost in my garage)
*50 GAL water, 17" deep
*need biological filtration
*need AIRPUMP solution to drive 3-5 decorations, (air disc, bubble curtain, animated ornament, extra power for future airstones)
*Sacramento,CA
*I'm cheap.

[Mgamer20o0]

get a new pump. you may not need it with the penguin going.

[Rbishop]

You could put bio media in the Mag vice the carbon. I suggest just get a new air pump for a deep tank.

[Dralion]

Thanks everyone.

I have been pondering using a bio-media instead of charcoal. But I am wondering if the bacteria will be able to colonize the media; if it is submerged in water in my canister filter, does it get enough oxyen without exposure to actual air bubbles?

I also have some +decade old testing supplies, conditioners, and ich/ick medicine. I just finished 1 of 2 jars of +decade old charcoal as well. I want to use all my spplies up to get rid of it.

[Mgamer20o0]

yes the bio media would be fine. many people put bio media into filters.

old stuff right..... i would ditch the old stuff and buy new stuff. most things only last so long. its not worth risking it. pick up new testing supplies and conditioners.