i have my airpump hooked up to a 4ft foamtube. i have had the foam tube in use for like three years now and it seemed like it was struggling to push air through the tube for a while now ...and then the pump died on me. well it got real loud and stopped pushing air through the foam tube, i am assuming it is dead
1. should i have been cleaning or replacing the tube? can the tube be cleaned? a new tube is $10, is there a cheaper alternative to these foam tubes? i imagine one those big bubbler things which make huge bubbles is no where near as effective as a foam tube which makes tons of little bubbles
2. can these $10 or $20 air pumps be serviced or fixed?
i should also note that i have a super lowtech 55gal and the airpump is my only form of water circulation as i usually dont use a filter (i have been using an HOB since the pump failed, but the intake foam filter usually cloggs within a week or two and im away from my tank for up to 8 weeks at a time)
1. should i have been cleaning or replacing the tube? can the tube be cleaned? a new tube is $10, is there a cheaper alternative to these foam tubes? i imagine one those big bubbler things which make huge bubbles is no where near as effective as a foam tube which makes tons of little bubbles
2. can these $10 or $20 air pumps be serviced or fixed?
i should also note that i have a super lowtech 55gal and the airpump is my only form of water circulation as i usually dont use a filter (i have been using an HOB since the pump failed, but the intake foam filter usually cloggs within a week or two and im away from my tank for up to 8 weeks at a time)