Outdoor air pump and heater

[suphi]

Need some recommendation from outdoor keepers here. I'm gonna move my TVR outside this spring.

Will have 2 tubs (110x140 cm, around 106 gallons) side by side, only one will be used at a time and fish will be moved between tubs every 4-5 days (tub-tub method).

I'm looking for weather resistant air pump and heater, if there's such a thing.

[Virginia ranchu]

For the airpump, consider a piston type pump instead of the diaphragm type. They are sturdier and can supply more air. I just bought one last week from an ebay store for about 50 bucks. The Sweetwater brand sold by Aquatic Ecosystems is also good, but costs a bit more.

Rob

[BruceP]

I have three Pondmaster AP40 air pumps doing various tasks. One has been running non stop now for about three years. Good dependable pumps and rebuild kit is about ten bucks. They are not waterproof but that shouldnt be a biggy.

[Corrie]

And I've had very good luck with Clepco heaters

http://www.pfonline.com/showroom/CLEPCO.html?lcode=PL

and Alita pumps

http://www.alita.com/

Corrie

[mikroll]

Need some recommendation from outdoor keepers here. I'm gonna move my TVR outside this spring.

go have a look at joes site to see high quality equipment . then decide.
http://www.joeskoi.com/

[orandablue]

Would you use the Clepco heaters indoors? Like on a 75? What heaters are good? I am just so angry that the second Marineland heater just tried to cook my fish! It maxed out at 81 causing a fish spawning frenzy! But the last Marineland stealth heater killed all our puffers.
I do not think the heater element should be taken lightly anymore! ever!
My biggest tank is 75 gallons. What would anyone recommend?
Suphi did not mean to butt in.
Heaters are important.

[suphi]

Thanks for all the inputs, they're very helpful. I'm planning to keep my setup as simple as possible (tubs with bottom drain, heater, airpump/stone, net cover...and that's it), but I don't plan on skimping out on quality equipments as I want this setup to last for years and years to come.

Orandablue, I use Renasmart heaters for all my tanks (80G, 40G, and 15G). No problem so far. Try to buy something with plastic shell instead of glass, which would be safer for yourself and your fish.

[orandablue]

Thanks will prob. get a rena. The heaters that broke where encased! Marineland sucks. Here was last yrs 1st fry tub! In pink! i never used a heater. just sponge filter.

[Virginia ranchu]

Okay, I got my 60Watt air pump today, and while it can easily run 20 sponge filters, my upstairs couch is vibrating...probably not a permanent solution.

Rob

[BruceP]

What did you end up getting Rob? Would it help to set it on a couple of sponges?

[Virginia ranchu]

It's an Active Aqua brand linear air pump. It is cast aluminum, 60Watts, pumps 70 liters of air per minute.

The real problem isn't so much the vibration, its the noise. I have another pump that I was using outside for a pond, which is very quiet. I switched that for the noisy pump.

The nice quiet pump is a Sweetwater brand. These are crazy expensive, but I swear I didn't pay that much when I bought it a couple of years ago.

[BruceP]

I see what your using now (did a search). Ive never used those because Ive been told they are loud..... guess I was told right... lol But price is right for the volume of air you get so I guess if you can put it where noise doesnt matter they are a good deal. I have found that the pumps generally used on koi ponds work well for our applications..... they are just pricey. I know ALOT of people that use the Dolphin pond pumps which is one of the least expensive of that type of pump and are very satified with the performance. I think my Pondmasters are the same pump under another name.

[Virginia ranchu]

I see those Pond Masters have diaphragms (maybe only certain models). Initially, I was trying to move away from diaphragm pumps, because I was tired of fixing them all the time, and I needed more pressure. I don't know if the piston type pumps are always noisy, or if the better models are quiet.

[Corrie]

Okay, I got my 60Watt air pump today, and while it can easily run 20 sponge filters, my upstairs couch is vibrating...probably not a permanent solution.

Rob

Rob, if you only need to run about 20 sponge filters, a smaller pump would also be quieter.

I have several of the Alita 15's, and each runs about 30 sponge filters, with enough air left over to run a airstone in the sump. I can't hear them running at all.
They are a little over $100 ea on Ebay.

HTH
Corrie

[Virginia ranchu]

Thanks for the recommendation. I may have to shell out another hundred bucks for a new pump. I'll save the noisy pump for some day when I build a fish house and I won't have to listen to it all the time.

Rob

[mikroll]

I have just remembered what kind of air pump we used to have at fish site.
It was a tubo and so had no diaphrams or pistons to break or wear out.
and I can tell you that it really moved a lot of air too. powered over 600 air driven filters, two fish hatchy rooms and some plants tanks too.. you might want to have a look at one of those if you need lot of air supply.

[orandablue]

Blast them Airborn!! ****

[Cincy Ranchu]

Thanks for all the inputs, they're very helpful. I'm planning to keep my setup as simple as possible (tubs with bottom drain, heater, airpump/stone, net cover...and that's it), but I don't plan on skimping out on quality equipments as I want this setup to last for years and years to come.

Orandablue, I use Renasmart heaters for all my tanks (80G, 40G, and 15G). No problem so far. Try to buy something with plastic shell instead of glass, which would be safer for yourself and your fish.

I have 9 ponds and about 12 seasonal tanks out doors, I use a Sweetwatewr blower and 6" airstones, but for a couple of smaller tubs I use Tetra Luft pumps under a bucket with a check valve (critcal). For these shallow tubs for Ranchu always provide some permanent shade on top of the galvanized hardware cloth. I do nelieve heaters are nessary unless you are going for very early outside placement

[orandablue]

When 8 isn't enough!!