Quiet Large Air Pump

[small_ranchu]

I am looking for a QUIET large air pump to put in the living room. I have several Whisper 100 air pump (space ship design) running without making any noise now. I need more air for my sponge filter.

What do you recommend for quiet big air pump?



For definition of big air pump, I mean something like this
http://www.kensfish.com/airpumps/eccocommercialairpumps.jpg

[Corrie]

Fred, I still like the Alita 15's, but you knew that already. LOL

Corrie

[small_ranchu]

Hi,
I don't know anything about those large one. Is it quiet?

[Corrie]

Fred, they are dead quite to me. I've never asked anyone if they can hear them running but I will today and get back to you.
I have to put my hand on them and feel if they are running.

How big of a pump do you need?
How many sponge filters, airstones, etc?

Corrie

[small_ranchu]

I need to have it for 4 70-90 gallon tanks. At least each of them should have one air stone and one sp filter.

[Corrie]

Then a Alita 15 would be way overkill for you.
I don't know though, they are about $100 on Ebay. There's a guy in central Florida that sells them on there. But you're probably going to pay around $100 for a decent air pump anyway, might as well get a Alita and be done with it.

Three people told me today that they can't hear them running at all.

Corrie

[mikroll]

you maybe take a look at a pump made by company called Gast. do not know about nosie but they run forever and do not break.

[Cincy Ranchu]

Linear Compressor from Aquatic Ecosystem I use a SL88, they have smaller ones.completely silent does 250 air lines to a depth of 30"

The Best!

[small_ranchu]

After doing the comparison, I prefer Alita series for tubs. But I can't make a decision between Alita 6 and 15. Any suggestion? Thanks all.

[Virginia ranchu]

Hi Fred,

I bought one like the one you have pictured, and it was very noisy. I've heard good things about the Alitas also.

Cheers,

Rob

[Corrie]

Fred, they both cost about the same $120-$130.
The 15 pumps twice as much air, but at twice the power.
Says 13 watts for the 6A, and 26 watts for the 15A.
Either one will not cost a lot to run.

If it was me, I would buy the 15A. That way you know you have plenty of air.
Don't restrict the air flow. Bleed off the extra air that you don't need.

Corrie

[small_ranchu]

Fred, they both cost about the same $120-$130.
The 15 pumps twice as much air, but at twice the power.
Says 13 watts for the 6A, and 26 watts for the 15A.
Either one will not cost a lot to run.

If it was me, I would buy the 15A. That way you know you have plenty of air.
Don't restrict the air flow. Bleed off the extra air that you don't need.

Corrie

Thanks Corrie. Is there any reason not to restrict the air flow? I saw it in koi web site yesterday.

[Corrie]

It will wear out the pump faster and make it have to work harder and use more electricity. It can also make them noisy.

You know how to bleed the air off, right?

[small_ranchu]

I have seen some. Do you have any suggestion? Thanks.

[Ranchumaniax]

Best bet would be Sweetwater® Linear II Air Pumps SL14. It's durable, quiet, and produce more than enough air for you. Cost $208 plus shipping.

[Corrie]

I have seen some. Do you have any suggestion? Thanks.

You just need to in-line another air valve that you can open.
Open it all the way, then slowly close it until everything you have hooked up is working.

You want to bleed off any extra air so the pump does not have to work with back pressure.

All of these pumps are floating piston pumps, back pressure will wear out the diaphram faster.

Corrie

[suphi]

Fred, let me know how it goes. I'm also looking to buy one for outdoor use.

[small_ranchu]

What about Medo? A lot of ppl suggest Medo in koi world.

[Corrie]

I need to have it for 4 70-90 gallon tanks. At least each of them should have one air stone and one sp filter.

Fred, Medo is Sweetwater, Sweetwater is the house brand for AquaticEco, both are more expensive and both are a lot more than you need.
Even the Alita 15 is more than you need, but you can get the 15 for the same price as a Alita 6, so you might as well get the 15.

All linear piston pumps are basically the same, and most are just knock offs on each other.

[Hondataeg6]

how about this one???
http://dolphinairpumps.com/dolphinav80airpumps.htm

[small_ranchu]

I guess it is too big for 4 tanks

[Corrie]

Fred, you're sorta stuck.
If you want a quiet pump, you're going to have to upgrade to the pumps that are quiet.
You say you need to run at least 8 things that are about 24 inches deep.

An Alita 6-A might do it, but it would be close.

I would use an Alita 15-A or something that would compare to that.

[small_ranchu]

I am pretty much ready to buy Alita 15A, as soon as my budget allow. lol

[Corrie]

Fred, air pumps are a pain to buy without trying them out first.

Try to make a deal with whoever you buy it from that you can return it, or swap it, if it's not exactly what you want.

[small_ranchu]

Sure, I will keep it in mind. Thank you

[Corrie]

Fred, just found this.
They are selling the 15A's for $115 with free shipping.

http://joesponds.com/alitaairpumps.htm

[small_ranchu]

I am comparing with this one

http://www.kensfish.com/alitapumps.html

Should I get the one with metal minifold?

[Corrie]

Since you mentioned you were "tool challenged", yes. LOL

If would cost you more than that to round up the valves, PVC, and threader to make it yourself.

That one looks like a good deal, I saved it for me for later too.

[small_ranchu]

i know I am picky. I have to do it to survive in this tight maket. lol

[small_ranchu]

Alita is up and running. I really love it. Super quiet, almost close to zero and a lot of air. Thanks Corrie and everyone.

[BruceP]

Did you end up with the 15A from Ken's Fish?
Glad it is working out for you.

[small_ranchu]

Yes, 15A from Ken's fish.

[Corrie]

:yess: Glad you like it Fred!

[George Ludrosky]

I just set up a Matala Hakko 60 air pump for my living room aquariums. I am amazed! It pumps tons of air and is quiet. I would recommend this air pump for anyone who really needs a lot of air!

[Ranchufan16]

I just set up a Matala Hakko 60 air pump for my living room aquariums. I am amazed! It pumps tons of air and is quiet. I would recommend this air pump for anyone who really needs a lot of air!

Do you sell these? I didn't see any one your ebay "store"
Thanks!

[George Ludrosky]

I wanted to try the pump first and make sure it really was as quiet and pumped as much air as they claim. Now that I have tried it....I will be getting some in. I will keep you updated.

[small_ranchu]

After running for 6 months nicely, I am starting to hear some noise. shhhhhhhh...... It sounds like O2 is coming out from tank. Is there any way to fix it? Thanks.

[BruceP]

Fred...... Most decent pumps can be rebuilt by the owner without having to send it in. Check with where you got it and see if they have a diaphram rebuild kit for it. It's not hard to do.

[Ichthius]

If it's a diaphram pump you'll get really good at changing the diaphram every six months or so...

[small_ranchu]

I called Alita up and the guy is helping me figuring out what is going on. Thanks all.

[small_ranchu]

I sent some pictures to Alita per their request and the damage is in electromagnet due to back flow. I will have to send the pump to them for repair. What is the best way to prevent back flow? Thanks.

[Ichthius]

If it's back pressure that caused the failure you have two big of a pump turned down low.

You can bleed off air by installing a valve to bleed off excess air. If you do not bleed off air the pump works against itself. Bleeding air will make a fair amount of noise. You can make a silence by bleeding the air through a long coil of 1/2 (or what ever size tubing is convenient but not airline tubing as its to small.