Air Pumps and Knots...

WallaceGrover · 07-04-2012, 10:30 PM

Is it bad for an air pump if you tie a (loose) knot in the hose that's connecting it to whatever equipment to reduce air flow (in my case a spong filter)?

If it matters its a tetra whisper 10...

EDIT: I should've used my head while posting this, I ended up cutting a few small holes in the airline tubing to reduce airflow.

Aben314 · 07-04-2012, 10:49 PM

Why would you want to reduce air flow?

WallaceGrover · 07-04-2012, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aben314

Why would you want to reduce air flow?

It was SO noisy (not the air pump, the bubbles), it's only a 5.5 and the sponge filter I bought was a little large for the tank anyways...

HD Blazingwolf · 07-05-2012, 01:48 AM

just buy an inline valve? they are like .99 cents for two at most LFS

pandamonium · 07-05-2012, 02:16 AM

i used a valve. it looks cleaner and is adjustable in case you want to have normal flow again

PlantedRich · 07-05-2012, 02:24 AM

I see you have solved the riddle for now but for future? Yes, it can be hard on the pump if the outgoing air is restricted too much. The vibrator continues to pull and push the diaphragm but it can't move normally with pressure on the output so it can make for an early tear in the diaphragm. Better to have a set of valves so that whatever amount of air you want is used and then a second opening lets the rest blow off. No back pressure that way.

WallaceGrover · 07-05-2012, 03:40 AM

Ahh god, I wish I would've known that. I went up to the LFS twice today. Oh well, I have it solved for now...

Chlorophile · 07-05-2012, 04:29 AM

Try some strong paper clips.

PlantedRich · 07-05-2012, 02:07 PM

When people buy used air pumps, they quite often find they will put out air when just running free but they won't pump air when the air stone is added and dropped down to the tank bottom. They find there is a tear in the diaphragm and then it gets into whether finding the part is worth the trouble. Better to not put too much strain on the thing if you want it to last. The next time you find a pump that will only put out air when the air stone is near the surface, try tearing it down. You will likely find a tear where the screw connects to the Diaphragm.

07-04-2012, 10:30 PM	#1
WallaceGrover Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (6/100%) Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Texas Posts: 675	Air Pumps and Knots... Is it bad for an air pump if you tie a (loose) knot in the hose that's connecting it to whatever equipment to reduce air flow (in my case a spong filter)? If it matters its a tetra whisper 10... EDIT: I should've used my head while posting this, I ended up cutting a few small holes in the airline tubing to reduce airflow. __________________ 5g of Cherries Last edited by WallaceGrover; 07-04-2012 at 10:36 PM.. Reason: Found solution

07-05-2012, 01:48 AM	#4
HD Blazingwolf Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (8/100%) Join Date: May 2011 Location: Chattanooga, TN Posts: 4,715	just buy an inline valve? they are like .99 cents for two at most LFS __________________ Sump Pimp #7 75G Rainbowfish Journal

07-05-2012, 02:16 AM	#5
pandamonium Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (24/100%) Join Date: May 2012 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 1,015	i used a valve. it looks cleaner and is adjustable in case you want to have normal flow again __________________ SFBAAPS 12G Long Shrimp Tank\|40G Breeder Amazon Biotope DIY ADA Style Stand\|DIY Eheim Jager 150W Inline Heater RAOK Club #72

07-05-2012, 03:40 AM	#7
WallaceGrover Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (6/100%) Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Texas Posts: 675	Ahh god, I wish I would've known that. I went up to the LFS twice today. Oh well, I have it solved for now... __________________ 5g of Cherries

07-05-2012, 04:29 AM	#8
Chlorophile Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (5/100%) Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: State of Emergency Posts: 1,245	Try some strong paper clips. __________________ Mini M Iwagumi

07-04-2012, 10:49 PM	#2
Aben314 Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (5/100%) Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Evanston, Illinois/Orlando, FL Posts: 256	Why would you want to reduce air flow?

07-05-2012, 02:24 AM	#6
PlantedRich Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Pflugerville, Tx Posts: 1,513	I see you have solved the riddle for now but for future? Yes, it can be hard on the pump if the outgoing air is restricted too much. The vibrator continues to pull and push the diaphragm but it can't move normally with pressure on the output so it can make for an early tear in the diaphragm. Better to have a set of valves so that whatever amount of air you want is used and then a second opening lets the rest blow off. No back pressure that way.

07-05-2012, 02:07 PM	#9
PlantedRich Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Pflugerville, Tx Posts: 1,513	When people buy used air pumps, they quite often find they will put out air when just running free but they won't pump air when the air stone is added and dropped down to the tank bottom. They find there is a tear in the diaphragm and then it gets into whether finding the part is worth the trouble. Better to not put too much strain on the thing if you want it to last. The next time you find a pump that will only put out air when the air stone is near the surface, try tearing it down. You will likely find a tear where the screw connects to the Diaphragm.

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