Air Pumps

[Kissyboots]

Since AQG is having that sale, I was wondering if I should get some bubbles.

I have this castle that has holes in the top. Are those for bubbles? (pictures below) If so, what device would I use? Where would it go?

Also, when you buy an air stone or bubble wand, does that come with a pump and everything? Or do I have to buy that separately?

 

[d3sc3n7]

Yup, I'd say those are bubble holes...and yes, you buy pump/stone separately. You could get the pump, tubing (if you need to) and one of those disk bubblers. I think it would work out REALLY well.

 

[Kissyboots]

I forgot to ask...does it make a lot of noise? I have the tanks in my room and the filter on the 20g is kinda old so it makes noise. Would the bubbles make it worse?

 

[d3sc3n7]

I suggest a whisper air pump. Wont make a sound.

 

[Kissyboots]

Does the tube then go into the tank from the top, down the side, and then under the gravel?

Can I use one air pump for two tanks sitting side by side?

What size would I need to get?

 

[d3sc3n7]

The tube comes in from the top, then goes where ever you want.

Yes, if you get the whisper pumps for (I believe) 100G or more...they have 2 ports. OR! You can get a T-Valve and split the air coming from 1 port.

 

[Kissyboots]

So, what would I need to get so I can stick it in the castle? An air stone? A curled up bubble wand that I can use for something else later?

Sorry about all the questions...

 

[alter40]

I would look under the castle and see if it has places to hook up the air line if those holes are made for air to come out of. If not I would try either one of the bubble disks or one of the bendable bubble wands that you can just bend into a circle.

Also if you can I would go with this air tubing instead of the regular clear tubing.
25' Stealth Airline Tubing Shiny Black (Lee's)

 

[pwrmacG4]

I would look on the bottom of that castle.. there might be a (catching hell for this) nipple on the bottom for an airline.

 

[alter40]

I would look on the bottom of that castle.. there might be a (catching hell for this) nipple on the bottom for an airline.

I said the exact same thing. I think you were just looking for an excuse to say nipple

 

[pwrmacG4]

damn... my cover is blown! hey kids look a deer! *dg runs away*

 

[Orion]

I've seen lots of resin decorations that had holes in the top similar to that before. Generally, I think its so that air can escape from inside that would otherwise let the decoration float, without having to turn it upside down to get all the air out.

But, if it can go in a tank, it can become an air-decoration. You don't even need to drill any holes in this one. You can just try something as simple as just air line without any type of diffuser under it and see how it looks, or go with something as stated above to let the air flow out in a more even manner. Play around with it, and go with a look that suits you. After all, your the one who's going to have to look at it.

 

[Punkrulz]

I wish you the best of luck with this, and I really would want to see pictures when you get it done! I never thought about putting any kind of air bubbles in any of the decorations, I think that would look pretty cool though!

Good luck with getting the tubing exactly where you want it... so far I'm having some trouble doing that. Right now I'm wishing that i did all of my tubing (and no more!) before I put in my substrate, that way the substrate could cover it perfectly.

Also, I previously remember the Whisper pumps having ratings every 10 gallons... a 10g pump, 20g pump, etc. Since then, I have purchased one that has a general rating. Mine is rated 30-60 gallons, and has 2 outlets for air. I don't recommend using the T-Valve. I attempted to do that between an air decoration, and a bubble wand, and the bubble wand never got any power unless I completely clamped the hose for the air decoration.

Right now the pump that I have has two outlets, I have a valve that can control the air flow on each, then each line goes to a decoration... initially without that valve that can stop pressure, everything will be WAY overpowered.

 

[Kissyboots]

I'm not sure if I want to do the bubble stuff. I don't want to "waste" all my money on fish when I have college to consider. Plus I don't really have the time right now.

BTW, careful with the algae eater. Mine never ate algae and started attacking my fish so I gave it away. I replaced it with two otos.
And totally get some more peppered cories!!! They get lonely sometimes and maybe you'll even get them to spawn. It's so cool...

 

[Punkrulz]

Thanks for the heads up. Unfortunately my tank is over crowded as it is. However, the peppered cory is hanging with the two emerald cories. I only got the peppered cory because the pet store I went to first didn't have a second emerald for me to get, so I bought the peppered in hopes he'd be friends with my first emerald. We went to a second fish store abruptly afterwards and bought another emerald anyways, so that's why I have 3 cories.

Also, the air equipment is exceptionally cheap! The pump is maybe $15, the tubing is like $1, and the air equipment is anywhere between $1-$5... really cheap I think!

My CAE has been fine so far. Sometimes he will chase the fish out of his territory, but he really doesn't bother them much at all. He seems to bottom feed most of time as I don't think my tank has any algae for him to eat... He'll either hide in his area, out in the open on the bottom, but doesn't cause me any problems. Plus I feed him wafers every other day to keep him satisfied.