Did you know that air power can be the driving force behind a number of aquarium equipment, even decorations? For air power, you’ll need an air pump! The main decision you have to make is the needed power behind the pump, and that depends on its purpose in your tank.
Not every aquarium will need to use an air pump. Let’s examine the common uses of an air pump to determine whether your aquarium would benefit, along with considering the factors that influence how much power is needed.
Table of Contents
The 4 Purposes of an Air Pump
Aeration
The main reason for an air pump is also the most basic: air contains oxygen, and fish need oxygen to live. Feeding a constant stream of air bubbles agitates the surface, which allows oxygen to be absorbed into the water for all the fish to enjoy. At the same time, carbon dioxide is released from the water. This aeration process actually comes with a secondary benefit. It moves water around the tank, from bottom to top, improving circulation which is important for keeping the tank clean from algae and imitating natural currents for the fish’ enjoyment.
Some additional good news is that your filter is already doing a large part of this job for you! Filters disturb the water’s surface in a variety of ways, depending on the kind of filter you’ve chosen to use.
Filtration
The underwater filters will require an air pump to function, such as sponge, undergravel and internal filters. When air is pumped through the hose, the rising air back toward the surface creates a suction effect, pulling water through the filter media in order to fill the vacuum.
Protein Skimmers
Used primarily for saltwater aquariums, a protein skimmer serves to remove organic waste from the tank before breaking it down into toxic elements. While not necessary, it is a very effective type of saltwater filter, and this would also require an air pump to power.
Ornamentation
Here’s a fun fact: some ornaments for the aquarium are designed to move with air power! For example, consider a spinning water wheel or a lid opening and shutting. There are a number of these creative decorations which can be powered by air. Additionally, you may just enjoy the look of bubbles rising through the water using an aerator such as an air stone or bubble wand. It’s a very enjoyable and entrancing thing to watch!
What To Know When Choosing an Air Pump
Air Pump Flow Rate
Depending on what you need to power with your pump, you may need a little or a lot of air flow through your pump. This often ranges between 0.5 liters per minute (L/min) all the way up to 6 L/min.
If you have a smaller aquarium of 20 gallons or less, and you’re only looking to power one piece of equipment, you are likely able to go with the smaller end of the flow rate potential.
But you may have multiple purposes for the air pump, such as powering a filter, decorations, and aeration. If this is the case, you will need to research the particular requirements of each item you plan to power and add them together to determine the needed capacity.
Fortunately, some air pumps include a flow rate dial that can be adjusted as you experiment to find the proper capacity for your setup.
Additional Accessories
Any time you use an air pump, it is highly important that you place the air pump above the aquarium. If this is not possible, then during a power outage, water will back up into the air line up to approximately water level. In some instances, especially if the power line is unstable (coming off, on and off again), the water can actually back up enough to topple down the line toward the pump and create a siphon of water out of the tank. Not good! This can quickly flood the floor and drain the aquarium, creating a disaster on many fronts!
The way to avoid this is by using a check valve, which will halt the backflow during a power outage. Consider purchasing a check valve if you cannot place the pump higher than the aquarium.
You can also use an airline splitter if you need to add lines to the pump. Just make sure that the split air flow is still strong enough to power the multiple pieces of equipment.
Air Pump vs Water Pump
In addition to air pumps, you also have the option to use a water pump for similar reasons. While air pumps directly pump air into the water of the aquarium, water pumps create a current of water that agitates the surface and facilitates the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide.
Some water pumps can be submersed within the aquarium, which takes up space but also reduces noise. You might consider using a water pump if you aren’t interested in creating more bubbles, if you want to reduce noise, improve water circulation or have other purposes for pumping water such as to and from an exterior filter.
Water Pump Flow Rate
If the water pump is going to be used to pump water into and out of the tank, then another flow rate that you will need to know is the water flow rate. This is measured in gallons per hour (GPH). Keep in mind that a pump may claim a certain water flow rate, but gravity can significantly reduce this if the water is required to be pumped several feet in the upward direction.
A more powerful pump is going to be the safer option, and you can always use a ball valve to turn down the flow to the proper level.
Conclusion
As you can see, the air pump serves a number of potential purposes in an aquarium. But it may not be necessary!
Ask yourself a few questions when deciding whether to use an air pump:
- Does your aquarium have a lot of fish compared with its size? If so, you may need to supplement the oxygen supply with additional aeration.
- Are your fish gulping at the surface regularly, as though gasping for air? This may be a sign that oxygen levels need to be supplemented.
- Does your aquarium have plant life? If so, the removal of carbon dioxide caused by aeration can actually harm the plants. You may not want to use an air pump.
- Do you have a filter that requires air power? If so, then getting an air pump is a no brainer.
- Do you simply enjoy seeing the bubble effect rising through the water? Perhaps it makes sense for aesthetic purposes.
- Do you plan to add moving ornaments? These are powered by air.
Alternatively, you can consider use of a water pump if you have the need to move water out of and into the tank.
Take some time to consider what all will be included in your aquarium, and what type and capacity of pump might be necessary. If your aquarium is doing just fine without it, then great! If you decide this addition will improve the tank in practical or aesthetic ways, then you now have the foundational knowledge to select the proper pump to power your aquatic habitat!