Need advice on quiet air pump (too LOUD!!!) for tropic-aire

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Dec 20, 2004 2:53 am

JMT- I have a Penn-Plax X2 for a fish tank and an X5 for my TropicAire on my hermit crabs. Both are very quiet. There are many other quiet pumps out there as well, but I can only speak to what I have experience with.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Dec 20, 2004 3:00 am

I don't think there are quiet air pumps. You can try to muffle the noise by placing it on a towel or something. I tried all different brands when I was using them for my fishtanks. The only solution I came up with to save my sanity was I bought a long bit of air tubing and ran it into my bathroom and kept the pumps in there. I couldn't take the constant buzzing in my living room, LOL.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Dec 20, 2004 1:41 pm

It wasn't so much my air pump as the tropicaire itself. It seems like the air stone would vibrate against the inside of the container. I am going to experiment with different types of air stones to see if I can combat this issue. I have the Penn Plax X5 also for my 75g and it is pretty quiet. I have since switched to the Dolphin 5 star because I wanted the additional outlets (it has 4) so I could strategically place the "fresh air" lines around the tank to help circulate the air more.btw I bought my air pump at http://www.kensfish.com/linearpumps.htmlHere is more info about the Dolphin pumphttp://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=20758&item=4345187038&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Dec 21, 2004 3:22 am

I've only used the Hagen air pumps personally, and would not recommend them if you are seeking a quiet solution. But, I have spoken to many customers that use the Rena line of air pumps and haven't heard anything negative about them yet, and from what I understand, they tend to last a long time (one lady has had hers for over 15 years with no change in performance). Unfortunately, they are expensive, but if they are really as good as they say, then I would think that it would be worth it. Good Luck!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Dec 21, 2004 6:00 am

The towel thing works, I put mine on a towel to keep them from vibrating on the wood of the stand and I don't hear them at all. Maybe I'm going deaf, or the Penn Plax ones are just really quiet

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Dec 21, 2004 6:41 am

Goodness knows I've been through plenty of airpumps in the last 15 years. I've had everything, I think.I do not like the Hagen Elite pumps. The larger models have adjustable airflow, but the way it's constructed, if you don't have 'em "full blast", they're downright NOISY.Whisper pumps are quiet, but they don't last. But then again, I've only used older models, not their latest. BUT. They're made by Tetra, whom I am boycotting. No Whisper or Tetra anything for me.I like Rena. They seem relatively quiet, efficient. Do keep in mind, NO air pump will be truely "silent".Older stuff.... I've used penn-plax (liked 'em), Hartz (what a joke), oh man, I don't know what all....Rena is still my prime choice.I like to set air pumps on a piece of mousepad. Yep, look to your right, see that grungy, icky old mousepad? Time for a new one, right? Cut it in half or thirds or fourths or whatever fits, leaving a couple inches leeway to fit under the air pump. Turn the mousepad upside down, set the airpump on it, and there ya go.Otherwise, styrofoam, towels, whatever - just put something soft and cushiony under the offending pump. If you don't like the effects from the first item, try a different one.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Dec 21, 2004 4:55 pm

quote:The first problem is that they have 2 outputs. So I'm wondering if you only acheive the full 55g airflow if you use both, and you only really get 27.5g out of each (so I'd need a T connector). If yours are like mine, you'll need to 'T' the output together for maximum output. Dual output air pumps have two individual bellows inside, like two individual pumps put together.I like the dual output pumps at Wal-Mart, can't think of the name at the moment. For the price (~$10), they are not bad. On a whim, I took one apart, and they are pretty well made for the price (odd for Wal-Mart I know...).A note about the Tropic-Aire, I found I have to use larger than recommended air pumps to order to get a nice humidity, so for a 50G tank, you may want to get two 50G pumps.