Page 1 of 1
organizing airline travel
Posted: Sat Dec 24, 2022 5:02 pm
by bettaMagenta
I've got a large commercial air pump running the main group of my aquariums - 3-55 gallon, 2-45 gallon, 2-30 gallon, and 4-10 gallon tanks all in the same nook. This is the 3rd air pump as my air usage keeps going up with each tank that gets set up. It uses 3/8 inch hose, feeding a 14 valve gang valve with a 3/8 inch inlet pipe. All my tanks run one or two 10 inch air bars or air powered sponge filters in the smaller ones.
When I started one tank at a time, the air lines were a mess - haphazard tubing everywhere. So I rerouted all the air lines today, making them neat and putting them on logical valves by location. I'll label the valve ends soon, so I know which valve runs which line. I've still got enough pump and valves left to start up the last 3 tanks when it's their turn. I think I did a good job, and now it's time for water changes - that usually goes pretty quickly.
The pump's above the rafters, in a cool space next to an outside wall. These piston pumps run warm, so I've boxed it in with 1/2 inch closed cell foam. Now I can barely hear it in my work area, and all I hear from the viewing side of the tanks is bubbles.
Re: organizing airline travel
Posted: Sat Dec 24, 2022 9:16 pm
by graye
I've also found a way to extend the life of my pumps. By creating a loop using 3/4 PVC pipe, I've been able to reduce the strain on them. One of my linear piston pumps, which has been running non-stop for almost 20 years, is still going strong - it's a testament to the design.
Re: organizing airline travel
Posted: Sat Dec 24, 2022 10:11 pm
by MikeyKid
bettaMagenta wrote: ↑Sat Dec 24, 2022 5:02 pm
I've got a large commercial air pump running the main group of my aquariums - 3-55 gallon, 2-45 gallon, 2-30 gallon, and 4-10 gallon tanks all in the same nook. This is the 3rd air pump as my air usage keeps going up with each tank that gets set up. It uses 3/8 inch hose, feeding a 14 valve gang valve with a 3/8 inch inlet pipe. All my tanks run one or two 10 inch air bars or air powered sponge filters in the smaller ones.
When I started one tank at a time, the air lines were a mess - haphazard tubing everywhere. So I rerouted all the air lines today, making them neat and putting them on logical valves by location. I'll label the valve ends soon, so I know which valve runs which line. I've still got enough pump and valves left to start up the last 3 tanks when it's their turn. I think I did a good job, and now it's time for water changes - that usually goes pretty quickly.
The pump's above the rafters, in a cool space next to an outside wall. These piston pumps run warm, so I've boxed it in with 1/2 inch closed cell foam. Now I can barely hear it in my work area, and all I hear from the viewing side of the tanks is bubbles.
I'd love to see a picture of your setup, especially the nook with all your tanks in it, and how you've organized the airline system - that sounds like a job well done, and it's always great to see how others manage their equipment.
Re: organizing airline travel
Posted: Sun Dec 25, 2022 12:46 am
by bettaMagenta
I can try, but it's tough to get a good shot - the 45 with three viewing sides is on the left, then the two 55s in the middle, and another 45 on the right, they kind of wrap around our bed. The lights are on timers, so I don't need an alarm clock.
Re: organizing airline travel
Posted: Sun Dec 25, 2022 3:15 am
by bettaMagenta
Tried doing a pano while laying in bed, didn't turn out great. The 30 gallons are tucked away under the 45s, and there are 4 of the 10 gallon tanks plus a 55 that's only visible from the work area behind the tanks, hidden under the two 55s.
Re: organizing airline travel
Posted: Sun Dec 25, 2022 5:46 am
by coltin
I echo graye's sentiments. Having a similar setup, I've found that running a 1 inch poly pipe loop around the room, utilizing wall plugs and screw-in hooks for support, greatly extends pump life. Tapping into the pipe with airline taps and dropping the airline down to each tank has proven efficient.
In my experience, you don't need massive airstones to aerate the water effectively. A smaller 1 or 2 inch airstone provides ample surface turbulence, while also reducing back pressure on the pump.
Re: organizing airline travel
Posted: Sun Dec 25, 2022 9:30 am
by bettaMagenta
Just an FYI, the air bars add air, but that's not their main job. I like how they look - it's like a waterfall, but in reverse. They move a lot of water, especially when used with a large hang-on-back filter. This creates a circular current that flows one way across the top of the tank, then back to the filter inlet. I've set up three tanks this way and it seems to be working well - my way of simulating a river current.
In other tanks, I use air bars to move water around the roots of plants growing hydroponically. This helps me get the most benefits from growing them in the aquariums.
Re: organizing airline travel
Posted: Sun Dec 25, 2022 11:37 am
by muddywave
bettaMagenta wrote: ↑Sat Dec 24, 2022 5:02 pm
I've got a large commercial air pump running the main group of my aquariums - 3-55 gallon, 2-45 gallon, 2-30 gallon, and 4-10 gallon tanks all in the same nook. This is the 3rd air pump as my air usage keeps going up with each tank that gets set up. It uses 3/8 inch hose, feeding a 14 valve gang valve with a 3/8 inch inlet pipe. All my tanks run one or two 10 inch air bars or air powered sponge filters in the smaller ones.
When I started one tank at a time, the air lines were a mess - haphazard tubing everywhere. So I rerouted all the air lines today, making them neat and putting them on logical valves by location. I'll label the valve ends soon, so I know which valve runs which line. I've still got enough pump and valves left to start up the last 3 tanks when it's their turn. I think I did a good job, and now it's time for water changes - that usually goes pretty quickly.
The pump's above the rafters, in a cool space next to an outside wall. These piston pumps run warm, so I've boxed it in with 1/2 inch closed cell foam. Now I can barely hear it in my work area, and all I hear from the viewing side of the tanks is bubbles.
I'm a fan of bubbles in the tank, they add a certain something to the overall look.