Need advice-Air pumps & definition of deep tank

[fishy_sue]

I need an air pump for a 55 gal. The old little ones from an old 6 gal are not working well. The descriptions of the air pumps talk about deep tanks. What is the standard definition of a deep aquarium? Thanks!!!

[sumthin fishy]

Im not sure the definition of a "deep" aquarium, but most sizes are set to a standard, so if you get a pump rated for a 55 gal, it will work with any 55 gallon rectangle, provided its not a custom tank. Ill take a random guess at your question and say your little pumps wont do well in anything deeper than a foot.

Now, your statement about "needing" an air pump either sugguests you either are going to run an undergravel filter, or you have fallen under the misconception that fish need little bubbles to breath(a common myth in the hobby)This article (http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=77618) explains a bit how gas exchange works. If you want more details you can search the archives, since this subject has come up in the past many times. HTH :)

[Penfan66]

Try a Tetra-Tec DW96. It has enough power to run a couple of devices at the depth you have. It's also very quiet and reliable. If you need multiple outlets, try a DW96-2 which has two outlets on the pump.

What are you trying to run with the pump?

[fishy_sue]

Thanks for the advice. I need an air pump to run my toys. I am trying to cycle two tanks without fish so the toys give me something to look at. Thanks again!

[Shelby_Tempo_GT]

you also need to keep device type in mind.

Little alligators that shoot large bubble out of their mouths do not use a lot of air.

A bubble wall or large air stone uses a lot of air.


I have a Rena 300 on a 70 gal to run 2 large airstones. According to Rena, I should be able to run 8 devices off this pump. It seems that I could maybe add a 3rd and thats it (based on how much adjusting of valves I need to do to keep both stones flowing equally)



Hope this helps