Connecting multiple air pumps to one air distribution loop

M

mduncan2

complete novice
Feb 14, 2010
18
0
0
Brisbane, QLD, Australia
hi all,

I want to set up some air powered filters in my tanks. I have already got most of my filter matts cut up as mattenfilters for the backs of the tanks. The tanks are 2ft long, 1wide and 1high. I want to have two air lift tubes per filter, and I have 8 of these 2ft long tanks, as well as 4x 2ftx2ft tanks, and some 6ft tanks. So total air outlets needed will be up around 40. The air needs to only be pumped down 10 inches of water.

I have a cheap air pump which have the dual outlets (rubber diaphram style), as well as two airpumps with 4 outlets (4 rubber diaphrams inside each), and a larger Resun airpump that is completely different sort of linear piston airpump and has only one large size output.

What I was thinking of doing is running some PVC pipe in a loop/square across the top shelf of my tank rack, down each side and then along the bottom shelf. This means the air tubing going to each airlift will be shorter and neater. And from what I read here: http://aquanic.org/systems/recycle/ces-240_airlift.htm the airpressure will be same at each airlift so long as the air tubing is the same length and depth in the tank. The loop style air distribution also means I can have the airpumps in a more convenient location.

However, I am wondering if it is wise to connect the multiple air pumps into the one air distrubution loop. Will the stronger Resun pump mess with the smaller ones? Will the smaller ones face some back pressure or something if I do it this way? So essentially my plan is to connect the 10 air outlets of the small airpumps into the PVC distribution loop, and also connect the large resun airpump into the same distribution loop.

What are the opinions on doing this?

Matt
 
I would probably use the quad air pumps on the 2x2 tanks. I would use the cheap one for a back-up on a coupe of the 6' tanks. Then use the big air pump for all the 2x1 tanks and as primary on the 6' tanks.
 
It all has to do with the psi output of the pumps. If your piston style pump is much stronger than the smaller ones, then the smaller pumps could have a back pressure issue. Depending on the difference, it could conceivably damage the smaller pumps. That is just my opinion though and not from actually trying it.
 
It sounds like it be worth it to get a REAALLY big air pump, ask your LFS's if they do anything similar... Otherwise, I don't it would be good to have different pumps pumping air on the same line, it would cause Psi problems. (As wizard said)
 
the wizard said:
It all has to do with the psi output of the pumps. If your piston style pump is much stronger than the smaller ones, then the smaller pumps could have a back pressure issue. Depending on the difference, it could conceivably damage the smaller pumps. That is just my opinion though and not from actually trying it.
Click to expand...
this is what i was thinking but if you add a check valve it at least shouldnt damage the pumps but wouldnt mean any extra air is getting in or not.
 
I think you have the right idea with the loop system but I don't think multiple pumps would be the best way.The idea is to get one pump that would handle the whole room for you and save you money and electric.Once you have that set up with the new pump,sell any old ones you have and get some more money back.Just my 2 cents...
 
Do what I did and go buy a regenerative blower. They run almost literally forever, and only have 1 moving part, the impeller, and are oil free and self cooling. Mine will run in the neighborhood of 60 tanks all with sponge filters.
 
i do agree with what's been posted.

however...back pressure would be relative to depth water depth where the outputs are placed. i'd say as long as your depth doesn't exceed what your smallest pump is capable of there's a good chance the extra pumps would give you extra volume. however... with one pump significantly larger than another you're very likely to lose efficiency on the smaller one and wasting electricity as has been mentioned.

basically... in theory and on paper it doesn't look too bad... but in practice you could certainly find a better solution utilizing only one pump.
 
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