Air Pumps

[Squawkbert]

I Have my pump sitting behind the tank roughlt level with the airstone in the tank. So no back flow problem here.

^not quite^

If your airpump is below the water line, you may have a problem.
If the tubing from the airpump were to be unplugged at the airpump and droop below the water line, you may have a problem.

If you really hate checkvalves, keep several loops of airline tubing mounted above the waterline between your pump and airstone. Loops prevent a good siphon from getting started. The only other way is to mount the airstone just below the waterline. That way, if it starts to drain your tank, it will quit after just a little water escapes.

 

[Weezer]

For a dollar, a check valve is cheap insurance......

 

[sirsears]

I agree.. for some reason people have posted very negative reviews on the top fin valves, saying that the airflow is very restricted and can actually blow the airpump..

 

[Weezer]

I agree.. for some reason people have posted very negative reviews on the top fin valves, saying that the airflow is very restricted and can actually blow the airpump..

I run 5 bubble features through 1 check valve, i don't recall what kind it is tho, i got it off the shelve at the lfs,

 

[klfvilla]

Great info. I'm adding check valves to my shopping list. What a shocker it would be to come home to the tank water all over the floor from that!

 

[sirsears]

I was lucky that I was home when it started to flood, but this site is great for this type of info.. how do you run 5 different features when the airpump only has 1 opening? I called top fin last night and they didnt have an answer, unreal...

 

[Weezer]

I was lucky that I was home when it started to flood, but this site is great for this type of info.. how do you run 5 different features when the airpump only has 1 opening? I called top fin last night and they didnt have an answer, unreal...

A distribution valve, there about 3 dollars, some are better than others tho, the one i have is all green, not sure who made it.Some have 2 or 3 or more outlets for airlines.......

 

[KidInTheHall]

I bought a 20 gallon whisper air pump saturday and it's instructions say to place it atleast 12 inches above the water line, that's how I have mine.

 

[enrique4jc]

Scary stuff! Sound like I need a check valve!

 

[Weezer]

I bought a 20 gallon whisper air pump saturday and it's instructions say to place it atleast 12 inches above the water line, that's how I have mine.

Thats to prevent water getting into the pump. mine are underneath the tank, with a check valve on the air line....