glueing down air pump & board to support tank

Dahlia

Dahlia

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Sep 3, 2003
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The tank my daughter is getting for Christmas will have a couple aerated decorations that need air pumps. I dislike these because they tend to vibrate and bounce away from the place I put them, and end up bumping up against something and making a lot of noise.

If I was to glue the pump to a heavy board and place it under the cabinet would that cause any problems with the way the pump functions? Also, I'd like to get a slightly stronger pump than recommended so that I'm sure it will work well, should that cause any problems with the ornament? As an example, one of the ornaments is one of those nostalgic cheesy skeleton at the wheel figures that moves back and forth like it is steering.

Also, I am considering getting a thick board the same footprint as the tank that extends over the studs in the floor under this tank, as some extra support. I don't anticipate any problems with my flooring because it is a well-built house and I made sure there was at least 2 studs the tank would be sitting on top of, but the extra peace of mind wouldn't do any harm. Any opinions on if this would help at all and whether it is necessary?
 
I would think that glueing the pump to something wouldn't work. Over time, any vibration that would be a nuisance to you would be strong enough to break free of the glue. You could try placing a piece of carpet under the pumps. This should absorb some noise and reduce vibration. the pumps are less likely to "walk" on the carpet.
 
There was a thread on here about a month ago that showed a good way to quiet a pump but I did a search and can't find it.

Basically from what I remember you stick the pump inside a jar filled with quilt batting and put holes in the lid for the tubing and electrical as well as one hole for air intake.

I wish I could find the thread becuase it had pictures as well. Maybe someone else knows where to find it.
 
I'm not sure where that thread went...but I started a thread at my forums and it went a little something like this...
__________________________________________

If you'd like to keep that old air pump quiet (so one can sleep!), follow these simple steps that I have found to work wonders!

1.) Get a whisper power filter cartridge box after your done with it and cut a small hole out so your tubing has a place to slide into the pump.

2.) Place the air pump inside the small box and then match up the hole in the box up with the area the tubing will go in.

3.) After placing the tubing in place, get 2 large socks and place them in the small box as if your "wraping" and covering the pump.

4.) Close box as usual and turn your new, quieter pump on!
 
I like the Rena air pumps. They extremely quiet.
I have no problem with mine moving, but that may be due to some slight tighness of the power cord and airline keeping it in the same position. Also, maybe the Rena just doesn't vibrate that much...
 
how big of a tank are we talking about? i would imagine you could go at least to 55g without worrying about extra support. my 55 on the second floor is actually not extremely close to any load bearing walls that i can think of and it is an older house.... i never really thought of it before now, but because of the steep roof the second floor rooms are roughly centered over the lower rooms. the tanks against a wall on the second floor, but now that i'm thinking, i doubt there is much below it. :rolleyes: (maybe the dining room table.)

as far as the rest of it, you can buy valves to adjust the air pressure coming out of the pump if you feel you need it. most better pumps have some way to adjust it built right in.

i think i like joes suggestion to use carpet or something else soft like a towel below the pump to absorb the noise. personally i wouldn't be in too much of rush to "smother" anything electrical. it might be perfectly safe, but that's just me. there is still some heat created by the motor and to me it just doesn't seem safe. pumps also have to draw air from somewhere..... don't know, something just doesn't "feel" right about it. i would defer to the judgement of some of the older guys like RTR tho....

good luck
 
Aquarius0015's link makes sense and seems like it *could* work without possibly creating a fire hazard.

otherwise i would think just buying a good quality airpump should eliminate the need for all the DIY kind of stuff.......
 
Thanks for all the air pump advice. I'll probably get the rena brand since I've liked other stuff from that company and see about rigging one of these suggestions to keep them stationary.
how big of a tank are we talking about? i would imagine you could go at least to 55g without worrying about extra support. my 55 on the second floor is actually not extremely close to any load bearing walls that i can think of and it is an older house...
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It's a 150 gallon high tank, so I thought the board might do some extra good spreading the load. However, I have a 90 gallon that is not near a load bearing wall and have never had any problems with it. It's been there for several years. The 150H will be going next to a foundation wall over 2 studs, though.
 
Carefull ewok, treading on thin ice saying so-and-so are "older"...LOL :p (even though I believe wisdom comes with age)

With my personal method to quiet the air pump, even though untimately you are wrapping the pump, you don't do it so that it complete encloses the pump itself. By wrapping you'll want to wrap the edges and such just so it doesnt touch the cardboard box. ;)

(Sorry if I made it sound like your keeping the whole thing from getting air)
 
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