AquaClear Powerhead as Air Pump

[Chrisk-K]

Because I personally find all air pumps noisy regardless of brand, I'm very interested in getting an AC powerhead as a replacement for an air pump.

Does it work well as a pseudo air pump?

I'm also intrigued with the fact that an AC powerhead can be used as a water polishing filter. Has anyone used one to polish tank water?

 

[excuzzzeme]

It cannot be used as an air pump but can be used as an infuser - mixes water with air. Simply attaching an airline to the nipple located on the outlet will allow you to diffuse air or other. Of course the airline must be in the air while the PH is in the water.

When using in this fashion it causes a drop in the amount of water circulated by about 1/3. Variations in size of airline and strength of PH will determine amount of reduction. There is usually a chart from the manufacturer that will be more accurate than my guessing.

I have used them in that fashion as well.

 

[Chrisk-K]

It cannot be used as an air pump but can be used as an infuser

Perfect! Am I correct to assume that like an AC filter, an AC PH is very quiet?

 

[platytudes]

I don't find them any quieter than any other powerhead...

I am running an old 402, modified (by adding an intake from a Regent powerhead) to run a Quick Filter, and it does a fine job - I'm using polyester batting (PolyFill) inside of the Quick Filter, not the cartridge. And it's quiet, but no more or less than other powerheads, which are all pretty quiet IMO.

What are you using your air pump for currently?

 

[Chrisk-K]

I don't find them any quieter than any other powerhead...

Then, it should be much quieter than my air pumps.

I have Tetra Whisper, Rena, Fusion, and Stellar air pumps, all of which claim to be silent. I find all of them noisy. I even wrapped them with soundproofing foam sheets.

I have Koralia PHs and they are quiet.

 

[platytudes]

True indeed. Are they for bubbles or undergravel filters?

Incidentally, if what excuzzzeme means is using the Venturi feature on the powerhead, these make a lot of noise but it's not mechanical noise like with air pumps. It's just an incredibly loud splashing and gurgling noise, also described as a whistling or sucking noise.

Way more annoying than an air pump!

 

[Ozymandias]

or sponge filter?

 

[Chrisk-K]

Incidentally, if what excuzzzeme means is using the Venturi feature on the powerhead, these make a lot of noise but it's not mechanical noise like with air pumps. It's just an incredibly loud splashing and gurgling noise, also described as a whistling or sucking noise.

Way more annoying than an air pump!

Oh no. I guess I'll buy one from a store w/ a liberal return policy and test it. I never thought a venturi air pump would make such an annoying noise.

The air pumps are for a QT, a hospital tank and an unplanted 40g. Just bubbles. It used to be a goldie tank, so it's unplanted. I re-did it recently and I might plant the tank to avoid using air pumps or build soundproof boxes for air pumps.

 

[Kuhlifan]

I used an AC powerhead with the venturi and it didn't make much sound, but it will make some. A lot of it depends on how open you make the venturi.

If you buy the filter attachment for the powerhead it will make a decent water polisher, depending on the size of your tank. It will take up a lot of space though.

 

[Star_Rider]

the power head is to be used as a filter?

like in sponge filters?

you don't really need the air feature for this unless you like bubbles in your tank.

many of the small airpump like the whispers utilize vibrator motors to operate the diaphram. there are other airpumps that don''t use this style diaphram. these are usually much quiter..but more costly

as far as filters you can use a quick filter

http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+4586+4638&pcatid=4638
they can also be fitted to lift tubes on std sponge filters or used on UG filters (rfug if you use a prefilter )

I have some spare tubes/aquarium parts and will look at fitting these for extra filters