Air-Pump Broken?!?

Big Vine

Elite Fish
Feb 7, 2006
3,895
9
0
47
Florida
#1
Just checked on it and it's still making noise (no more/less than usual), but no bubbles are coming out of the bubble-wand I have attached to it anymore. I pulled the air hose off of the output on the pump to check it out, but I couldn't feel any air blowing out of it at all. Unplugging it for a while and then re-trying has accomplished nothing. It isn't at all hot to the touch, so I'm not sure what the hell is going on.

But basically it's broken, right? grrr
Any recommendations on what to use as a replacement for it? :confused:

It's an Aquatic Gardens 'Air Pump 800' and I had it attached to one of those flexible 36" bubble-wands. Not sure exactly when it stopped working because it's kept in a dark closet (for aerating my tapwater as I age it) in a rubbermaid trash bin. Probably stopped within the last day or two.

BV
 

IDunnoWhy

Superstar Fish
Nov 16, 2006
1,058
2
38
53
Deerfield, WI
#2
Probably developed a hole in the diaphram (sp?) (I believe most air pumps use that style mechanism) but basically time for a new pump :eek:

I've been using a cheap ol' Aqua-Culture pump from Walmart, it's been running full tilt since I got it, no problems, cost me $10 :cool:
 

Big Vine

Elite Fish
Feb 7, 2006
3,895
9
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Florida
#3
What the hell man?!? I've only had it for a few months...piece of crap. :mad:
Thanks all the same for the input though.

Anyone have any recommendations on a pump that won't break every few months?

BV
 

IDunnoWhy

Superstar Fish
Nov 16, 2006
1,058
2
38
53
Deerfield, WI
#4

Big Vine

Elite Fish
Feb 7, 2006
3,895
9
0
47
Florida
#5
Heh...well...for that price I may just have to end up putting it on my Christmas 'wish list,' lol. You must be under the impression that I'm an auto technician or something to have that sort of money floating around at my disposal. :p

Thanks for the recommendation though.
I must admit, I'm torn between getting another $10.00 one in the hopes that it lasts longer (than my first airpump 'casualty') OR splurging for a more reliable one like yours. I'm trying to save up every penny I can for a hunting trip to Colorado next month, but I need an airpump right away...guess that answers my question. Another cheapie $10.00 airpump comin' right up! meh

BV
 

IDunnoWhy

Superstar Fish
Nov 16, 2006
1,058
2
38
53
Deerfield, WI
#6
Heh...well...for that price I may just have to end up putting it on my Christmas 'wish list,' lol. You must be under the impression that I'm an auto technician or something to have that sort of money floating around at my disposal. :p
Dude, I have so much money, I burn it for heat in the winter......NOT!!!

Thanks for the recommendation though.
I must admit, I'm torn between getting another $10.00 one in the hopes that it lasts longer (than my first airpump 'casualty') OR splurging for a more reliable one like yours. I'm trying to save up every penny I can for a hunting trip to Colorado next month, but I need an airpump right away...guess that answers my question. Another cheapie $10.00 airpump comin' right up! meh

BV
I only have one of those pumps (Way to pricey to have more) I only got it because I wanted something "good" for my favorite tank, but that could also drive dual bubble wands (wifes orders) :D

The rest of my tanks (that actually run air wands) only have the cheapy $10 jobs, and most of the time they last quite a while.
 

Big Vine

Elite Fish
Feb 7, 2006
3,895
9
0
47
Florida
#7
IDunnoWhy said:
The rest of my tanks (that actually run air wands) only have the cheapy $10 jobs, and most of the time they last quite a while.
Yeah, it should work out okay. I just didn't expect this one to die after only a few months. I'm hoping this was more of a fluke than anything else...I gotta think that the projected lifespan on these things---even the cheapest ones---is more than just a few months. :eek:
BV
 

Big Vine

Elite Fish
Feb 7, 2006
3,895
9
0
47
Florida
#9
Thanks for the tip, Lotus. :)
Would you by any chance have any idea as to what size/model I'd need for pumping air through a flexible 36" bubblewand in a 13 gal. bucket of water, lol? :confused:

BV
 

Big Vine

Elite Fish
Feb 7, 2006
3,895
9
0
47
Florida
#11
The one I had (Aquatic Gardens Airpump '800') was rated for 5-10 gal. tanks...worked okay through the bubblewand, but a bit more airflow would have been more ideal. Probably the 36" bubblewand along with the 2-3' worth of tubing was a bit more than it could handle...I guess...:confused:

Seems like one rated for a 20 gal. tank would do the job quite nicely, so maybe I'll end up getting the same model you've got. Thanks again! ;)
BV
 

TLH

Large Fish
Jun 27, 2005
703
1
0
Northants;England
#12
Noise is usually a diaphragm gone. Can you not get new ones anywhere? They don't cost alot here, maybe £1 each and are dead easy to install. Clean the valves while you're at it.
 

Big Vine

Elite Fish
Feb 7, 2006
3,895
9
0
47
Florida
#13
Not sure about getting them around here, TLH, but I'm sure they're available somewhere. The 'broken' pump in question only cost me maybe $10.00 anyway, so I opted to get a new pump instead. Bought the Tetra Whisper 40, which is very quiet and pumps out more than enough air. I'm happy with it so far. Thanks for the recommendation, Lotus.

BV
 

jusdeb

Small Fish
Aug 21, 2007
17
0
0
regional NSW Australia
#15
Hmm it does sound like you need a new one better safe than sorry when playing with electricity...My suggestion is to only buy what you can afford but go for one with a reasonable warranty say 12 months that way you know your right for at least that amount of time....Ive just bought one from an online aquarium shop for 6.95 AUS....with 3 year warranty I bought the same brand filter and got 3 years with it to....The brand is Aquaworld.*SUNSMILE*