Purpose and selection of a compressor for an aquarium

An aquarium is a tiny ecosystem that needs to be carefully managed; it’s more than just a tank full of water and fish. Appropriate aeration is essential to keeping your aquarium’s environment healthy. This is the crucial moment for a compressor, commonly referred to as an air pump.

With so many options, selecting the best compressor for your aquarium can be a little overwhelming. It’s crucial to take into account elements like your tank’s size, the kinds of fish you keep, and the particular requirements of your aquatic environment.

This post will discuss the benefits of having a compressor for your aquarium and walk you through the process of choosing the model that best meets your requirements.

Purpose and principle of operation

An ongoing supply of air is necessary in a home pond, particularly when keeping large fish. An aquarium compressor’s primary function is to maintain the aeration process. It is employed to address the following issues:

1. To mix water layers. This is important because water is saturated with oxygen only in the upper layers. Therefore, mixing is an effective way to provide the aquarium with the necessary portion of oxygen, especially for exotic fish.
2. To supply air to a closed body of water, which contains up to 21% oxygen.
3. And finally, a compressor is certainly needed in an aquarium as a method of decorating it. With pulsating bubbles, the underwater world becomes more attractive.

Air is forced under pressure as the compressor’s basic operating principle. A jet of tiny bubbles is produced by the sprayers. The vibration of all compressors makes them noisy.

Types of compressors

Compressors for aquariums can be adjusted or left unadjusted. One feature that sets them apart is the regulator, which resembles a tap and lets you change the air flow to each sprayer, if there are multiple of them.

Compressors can be submersible or external, depending on where they are to be installed. The former can be set up anywhere that is practical. Their manufacturers do, after all, make an effort to consider every detail. Since all external aerator models are attractive, they fit in well with the interior decor of the space. Unlike submersible models, external aerators do not require special maintenance.

Aquariums with internal aerators have them mounted on the walls or placed on the bottom. They need particular attention. For instance, you should check the case’s tightness and clean it once a week. However, the nearly silent operation makes up for these inconveniences. Originally designed submersible aerators are used as ornamental features in residential pond designs.

Aquarium compressors are separated structurally into membrane-type and piston-type apparatuses.

Membrane

Aquariums at homes are equipped with membrane compressors. This is because the devices are easy to maintain and are simple to use. What makes up a diaphragm-style compressor is:

• an elastic (rubber) diaphragm;
• an electromagnet that imparts reciprocating motion to the diaphragm;
• a nozzle for removing air from the device;
• a pair of check valves that provide air supply in one direction.

Every component is contained within a small housing.

The following are some benefits of diaphragm-type devices:

• high reliability, since they rarely fail and do not require systematic maintenance;
• the ability to save electricity;
• the ability to connect one air blower to two or more tanks;
• relatively low cost.

Their one and only flaw is that they make too much noise.

Piston

Piston compressors have a more intricate design and operate somewhat differently. The reciprocating motion of a piston inside a cylinder serves as the foundation for their working principle. It is propelled by an electric motor’s revolving flywheel. A system of check valves supplies air to the outlet line. The device’s structural components are all housed in a single sealed housing. The following are thought to be the benefits of piston-type models:

• relative noiselessness during operation;
• durability;
• high productivity sufficient for large tanks.

These models’ drawbacks include their high cost and high energy consumption.

How to choose a compressor for an aquarium

Selecting an air compressor with the best features is a difficult task. But selecting the ideal aquarium aerator depends on a lot of factors, so it’s not hard to do. When making your selection, consider the following:

1. Aerator power. Manufacturers indicate on the packaging what volume this model of air blower is designed for. Accordingly, a more powerful air compressor will be needed for a large tank. At the same time, you should not buy a model with a power reserve. The optimal calculation parameter is 0.5 l/h per liter of liquid.
2. Using different types of sprayers. The most common cylindrical nozzles made of abrasive materials have too large bubbles. Sprayers made of white whetstone are considered the best. They are suitable even for the lowest-power aquarium aerators. When using dense ceramic sprayers, the bubbles are quite small. But such nozzles are suitable for pumps that develop a pressure of 1000-1500 mm of water column. The instructions for the micro compressor indicate what pressure it develops.
3. Noise. It is better to judge the noise level of specific models based on user reviews. However, even air blowers of the same model can make different noises. The noise they make depends on how well the device’s filling is mounted and on its design features. So you can understand whether a working compressor will allow you to sleep peacefully only after the purchase.
4. Sealing of the case. This criterion is especially important for submersible models.
5. Appearance. For those who care about the aesthetic appearance of aquarium equipment, it is worth paying attention to the brands that design aerators.
6. Cost. Aerators from Chinese companies are distinguished by relatively low prices. German brand models are more expensive. For example, the Eheim model costs an average of 1000-1500 rubles more.

Popular models

A wide range of aquarium compressors can now be found on store shelves. This practical gadget is made by numerous companies to suit all tastes and price ranges. The models that are most in demand are:

• Aquael Oxyboost 150 plus compressor from the Polish manufacturer of aquarium products, Aquael. The device has an original round case design. It has a regulator for adjusting the air flow. The single-channel model stands out for its low energy consumption. The Aquael Oxyboost 150 plus model with a power of 2.2 W is designed for tanks with a volume of 100-150 l. The membrane type aerator is quite quiet. The noise level is no more than 40 dB.

• The Schego Optimal membrane type aerator from the manufacturer of aquarium equipment, the German company Schego. This compact and lightweight pump with a transparent body looks good on the wall on which it is mounted thanks to the existing mount. The device with a maximum capacity of 250 l / h is equipped with a regulator that controls the intensity of the air flow. The pressure developed by the supercharger is enough to connect two tanks to a single channel. Designed for "cans" with a volume of up to 400 l, works almost silently.
• The Collar aPUMP aerator is an original patented development of the Ukrainian company Collar. Today, this aquarium pump is considered the smallest and quietest compressor in the world. It is designed for aquariums with a volume of up to 100 liters and a height of up to 90 cm. The device has a low noise level of less than 35 dB. A single-channel aerator with a power of 3 W is attached to the wall of the tank with a suction cup.

• The Tetra APS 150 model from the German brand Tetra has an innovative case design. This air blower is famous for its reliability, it works quietly thanks to the sealed walls of the case and rubber supports that reduce vibration. The single-channel aerator APS 150 has a power of 3.1 W and a capacity of 150 l / h. The air pump is designed for tanks with a volume of 80-150 liters.

• Model EHEIM 400 from the German company Eheim, a well-known manufacturer of aquarium equipment. A compact device in a plastic case, the rubber edges of which dampen vibration and do not allow movement. This is a two-channel aerator with convenient adjustment for each channel. The device has a power of 4 W and a capacity of 400 l / h. The air blower is designed for tanks volume up to 600 l.

Selecting the proper compressor for your aquarium is essential because it helps to keep the water clean and circulating while also ensuring that your fish have access to enough oxygen to thrive. Your aquatic environment’s happiness and health can be greatly affected by knowing what a compressor does and how to choose the best one.

How to install a compressor in an aquarium

An equally important task comes after selecting and buying aquarium equipment: installing the compressor correctly. It is advised to locate a submersible air blower in an artificial reservoir close to the heater to guarantee even heating of the liquid.

Above the water line, an external aerator is mounted outside the tank. If the model’s design features make this unfeasible, then a check valve should be included. Installing an external device requires the following steps to be taken in order:

1. Placing the sprayer on the bottom of the tank and connecting the air supply hose to it.
2. Fastening the hose with suction cups to the back wall of the tank.
3. Bringing the end of the hose out through a technological hole in the lid.
4. Installing a check valve.
5. Connecting the hose to the compressor.

You must test the equipment to rule out any issues before launching fish.

To keep your fish and plants healthy and happy, it’s crucial to select the correct compressor for your aquarium. The health of your aquatic life depends on sufficient oxygen levels, which the compressor helps to guarantee.

Take into account the size of your aquarium as well as the requirements of its occupants when choosing a compressor. For larger tanks, a powerful compressor might be required; for smaller setups, a smaller one might be adequate.

Making an informed decision and knowing the compressor’s function will help you establish a well-balanced, well-oxygenated environment that promotes the wellbeing of the aquarium’s inhabitants.

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