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Aquarium Setup
Air Pumps & Accessories

Air pumps serve three primary functions:
  1. To power certain types of filters
  2. To aerate the water
  3. To power decorative accessories
It is important to use an air pump that is of proper size and is large enough for the requirements of an aquarium.
Getting Started with a Freshwater Aquarium
1. Aquarium Water
2. Choosing Freshwater Fish
3. Aquariums & Stands
4. Hoods & Lighting
5. Heaters & Thermometers
6. Air Pumps & Accessories
7. Filters
8. Gravel & Décor

Air Pump Capacity PETCO Suggestions
10, 20 ,30, 50, 75, 100 gallons

Tetra Whisper Air Pumps
Tetra Whisper Air Pumps

Petco Air Pump
Petco Air Pump


30, 80, 100, 150, 200 liters per hour

Penn Plax Silent Air B10 Battery Air Pump
Penn Plax Silent Air B10 Battery Air Pump



Accessories
Air Pump Accessories Characteristics PETCO Suggestions
Air Line Tubing
    Channels the air from the pump to:
  • Filters
  • Air Stones
  • Ornaments
  • Valves

Petco Clear Air Line Tubing for Aquariums
Petco Clear Air Line Tubing for Aquariums

Lee's 50' Flexible Airline Tubing
Lee's 50' Flexible Airline Tubing


Air Stones
  • Semi-porous devices used in conjunction with air pumps to produce fine or coarse air bubbles and make an attractive display
  • Provide excellent gas/air exchange

Petco Bubbling Airstone
Petco Bubbling Airstone

Red Sea Berlin Air Stones
Red Sea Berlin Air Stones


Air Valve
    Used to direct air from the air pump into two or more different outlets, such as:
  • Gang valves
  • T-valves

Penn Plax Air Tech Visual Air Regulating Valves
Penn Plax Air Tech Visual Air Regulating Valves

Penn Plax Lok-Tite Aquarium Gang Valves
Penn Plax Lok-Tite Aquarium Gang Valves


Check Valve
  • Prevents water from "reverse" siphoning out of the aquarium by only allowing air and/or water to pass one way
  • Placed between the aquarium and the air pump

Lee's Check Valve
Lee's Check Valve

Petco Check Valve
Petco Check Valve



Air Pump Maximum Performance Simple Hints

To obtain maximum performance from an air pump, there are some hints to follow.
  1. Change air stones on a monthly schedule.
  2. Use a gang valve with the "bleeder" valve open to reduce back-pressure. It divides the air flow produced by the pump, which allows you to operate several filters or air stones with one air pump.
  3. Use a check valve to prevent reverse siphoning.
Step 7: Filters