Need opinions on silent running air pumps

AngeloM3 · #1 08/11/2007, 01:11 AM

Ok this isn't for my reef tank.... but I'd like to start up a small simple 20g fw tank.

It will be in my bedroom so I'd like to hear some opinions on silent running air pumps. Tank is a 20g Long... so dont need anything extremely powerfull, just enough for a airstone or one of those airstone "tubes". It can be one or two outlet pump, doesn't matter.

JetCat USA · #2 08/11/2007, 01:19 AM

if it's for a UGF, ditch the airstone and put a MJ1200 on it, it's quiet and does a heck of allot better bio filtering then the airstone.

AngeloM3 · #3 08/11/2007, 02:06 AM

No it isn't. The airstone is serving no beneficial purpose, just for looks. I'd like to have a wall of bubbles in the background.

JetCat USA · #4 08/11/2007, 03:11 AM

in that case I've used pumps called 'Whisper' with good results for several yrs. the problem they eventually have is the rubber feet on the bottom of them wears down from the vibration and then they start to rub and make noise. they are cheap to replace but an old mouse pad sat under them will quieten them right back down.

defigart · #5 08/11/2007, 03:29 AM

Yeah get the new whisper. Not the old brownish ones, but the new blue, futuristic looking ones. I have a couple and they are so quiet I have to touch them to see if they are on.

slevesque · #6 08/11/2007, 10:08 AM

Good to know. I have to replace my old and noisy Elite802 and I was looking for a silent one.

defigart · #7 08/11/2007, 10:35 AM

Just make sure it isn't touching anything, and the Whispers are super quiet like I said.

slevesque · #8 08/11/2007, 10:49 AM

I guess the different models fit different water depths?

defigart · #9 08/11/2007, 10:54 AM

You probably have to get the middle size one they make. If you are going with a 20 gallon you probably get away with that.

JetCat USA · #10 08/11/2007, 10:55 AM

different volume of air pumped. if you have an excessively deep tank and have the airstone at the bottom you'll need a high pressure pump, they tend to get costly and noisy. on a 20g, just get one with enough volume to match the desired air curtain size you want to use.

AZDesertRat · #11 08/11/2007, 10:56 AM

Rena air pumps were always quiet for me.

AngeloM3 · #12 08/11/2007, 03:29 PM

Alright thanks for all the input...

I have one of those older Whispers (the brown ones) and the thing is so loud! I'll have to check out the new ones and Rena pumps.

Again... thanks for the info!

defigart · #13 08/11/2007, 10:22 PM

The old ones get loud when the diaphram inside gets old and rigid.