Quietest Air Pump

T

TimmerCA

AC Members
Mar 19, 2010
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Santa Cruz, CA
tgustafson.com
Hi all,

My 80-gallon freshwater tank is located in our formal living room, and the air pump I have now is kind of noisy. Can anyone recommend a good, quiet air pump? I don't need something rated for the whole 80 gallons as it's a pretty heavily planted tank...but I do need something that will add a little extra oxygen for my fishies.

Thanks!
 
I too would like the answer for this. I bought a whisper rated for 40 gallons and it is noisy even with foam under the feet. Is there some other technology besides the diaphragm that most have that is quieter?
 
You shouldn't need one. As long as you've got water movement the air pump will add very little oxygen. With internal and external canister filters these days, and powerheads for UGFs, there's no need for noisy air pumps. Can't remember the last time I used one.
 
KarlTh said:
You shouldn't need one. As long as you've got water movement the air pump will add very little oxygen. With internal and external canister filters these days, and powerheads for UGFs, there's no need for noisy air pumps. Can't remember the last time I used one.
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That's what I originally thought, and was originally told by books that I read.

However, there is a dramatic difference in my fishies activity level when they have an airstone going than when they don't. When there's an airstone, they're way more active. When there isn't, they're lethargic and often hang out near the surface sucking in air bubbles.
 
I like air stones and many fish seem to love the activity of playing in the air stream.

The debate will constantly go on if they help or not.

While in an open system, as most tanks are....only so much saturation can occur. IMO, the more surface area you have exposed to air, the better chance you will be near the maximum concentration.

Many folks do not like the look, or the sound, but it doesn't bother me. And, many folks who have heavily planted tanks often recommend air injection at night. Each tank is a bit different...what works for one will not work for all.
 
What air pump do you have now?
I have found that my Whisper is very quiet. I also have a Azoo double outlet, which is much noisier. I have a Fusion too, but have not tried it out yet.
 
I have always had good luck with top fin pumps. My old roomate had a whisper smaller than my big top fin and it was alot louder than mine. But, every individual pump can vary IMO. I do really like Hydor Ario's. They are quiet and the micro-bubbles look really cool with an LED shining into them at night ( a seperate LED not the hydor pump/LED combo).
 
My whisper is really quiet, all other brands I've tried have been louder.
 
Noise is very dependent on volume of air produced. A Whisper 10 will be quieter than a Whisper 20 for example. For a pump which moves a considerable amount of air very quietly look at the Luft pump which I believe is still licensed to Coralife.
 
pretty much all air pumps will be noisy so i usualy focus on ways to make them quieter
one of the thing i find helps me most is a box of foam i made for it just make shure you let heat escape
also if you use bigger softer airline that helps a lil bit
 
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