Need help with air pump

[Lauren B.]

Yep....my new aquarium kit finally came yesterday! Whoo-hoo!

Now I need you guys to help me with a few things. First off, I didn't plan on having an air pump, but today I bought an ornament with an air tube in it. I know I could simply cut the tube out and use the ornament as is, but if it's got it, I might as well use it.

So what I've got is a tube that sticks out the side of the ornament, and on the other end of the tube is an air stone. So my question is, what do I attach to the free end of the tube? Do I simply buy a long airline tube and attach it to the ornament, then attach the other end to an air pump?

This is my VERY first air tube attempt ever in my life, so if someone could take me through it and what I need to buy, in baby steps, I'd really appreciate it.

Lauren B. :19: <--I'm jumping for joy at my new aquarium!

[*Sarah*]

Congrats on your new aquarium. I'm sure someone more experienced than me will be able to give you some pointers. :)

[Chrona]

Well, I've never used an air pump before, but I believe you would just connect the free end from the ornament to a 1 way (check) valve, which then goes into the long air line that hooks up to your air pump. The check valve is so water will never flow back into the air pump when shut down. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

[Lady Hobbs]

An air pump.

[cocoa_pleco]

you get the pump. Hose to pump, hose from pump to check valve( you need a check valve. I learnt a lesson!), hose from check valve to ornament.

There you go. simple. Plug in the pump, and youre set.
Whatcha gonna stock the tank with? platys and guppies are good for a 6g

[Gelo_USA]

thts how I have mine
a tube from the airstone or ornament to a check valve (watch out the check valve has to be put the right way or the air wont come out, it has an arrow pointing wich way the air flows) and then another piece of tubing connecting to the airpump
if u get a pump with dual output thingys they usually come with a T connector so u do the same thing but before connecting the tube to the pump u use the T connector and 2 tubes connecting to the air pump


Chrona u have no air pump how do u aearate/oxygenate the water? (I m new to the hobby as u knw and i dnt knw anyother ways of doing it)

[Lauren B.]

An air pump.

Thank you Hobbs. That is the most descriptive and utterly helpful piece of info I've gotten all day! :hmm3grin2orange:

[Lauren B.]

Okay, you all made it sound pretty easy and I think I might be able to handle it.

Don't some air pumps come with a check valve already installed? I do know the importance of them though, so if the pump I puchase doesn't have a check valve, I'll be sure to buy one separately.

[Gelo_USA]

yea check valves are REALLY important lol
i found out the hard way
i was setting up a 30 gallon tank for a friend and I had the tube set up connected to the ornament already and the tank was full the tube was still not cut to the size and i let it fall to the floor and kept working installing filter and the other stuff when I realized I had like 2 inches of water out the tank alll on my friends floorr LOL

[Chrona]

thts how I have mine
a tube from the airstone or ornament to a check valve (watch out the check valve has to be put the right way or the air wont come out, it has an arrow pointing wich way the air flows) and then another piece of tubing connecting to the airpump
if u get a pump with dual output thingys they usually come with a T connector so u do the same thing but before connecting the tube to the pump u use the T connector and 2 tubes connecting to the air pump


Chrona u have no air pump how do u aearate/oxygenate the water? (I m new to the hobby as u knw and i dnt knw anyother ways of doing it)

In my planted tank, I don't need an air pump (it's actually bad for the plants since it released more CO2 from the water)

In my 55 gallon with the big comet goldfish, I have the water level lower than usual, so my power filter will put alot of bubbles in the water. Plus, since it's not heated, the cold water naturally holds a lot more oxygen. Yes, it's bootleg, but it works and doesn't cost anything lol.

[cocoa_pleco]

check valves are usually only in sets. Its like a little plastic stick halfway. Theyre like 4 bucks

[Lady Hobbs]

Thank you Hobbs. That is the most descriptive and utterly helpful piece of info I've gotten all day! :hmm3grin2orange:

LOL Sorry. Just started writing that post to you and someone was beating on my door. I have the little whisper pump that I like a lot and have a tetra air pump that I hate. The whisper has shut offs right on both airlines so you can regulate how much air goes to the tank. The tetra pump is louder and no shut offs. I run two airlines to two different tanks (bubble wands) with the Whisper.

[Lauren B.]

LOL Sorry. Just started writing that post to you and someone was beating on my door. I have the little whisper pump that I like a lot and have a tetra air pump that I hate. The whisper has shut offs right on both airlines so you can regulate how much air goes to the tank. The tetra pump is louder and no shut offs. I run two airlines to two different tanks (bubble wands) with the Whisper.

When I read your previous post I laughed outloud, so I had to send you that comment! :1luvu:

I'm going shopping for an air pump today, so I'm glad you mentioned the air regulator/shut off. I didn't know about that feature and I'll be sure to look for it.

Lauren :malelovies:

[Faith_at_Large]

My understanding is that check valves may need to be replaced every year or so to ensure that they function well. That is why they are sold separately. Tubing may also require periodic replacement when it gets stiff or loose at the connections. Tubing can be bought in bulk.

Instructions are usually included, if I recall correctly.