An Airpump, every tank needs one!
How to select one and buy it's companions

You should know the importance of filtration and the three different types. Mechanical, biological and chemical. If not you can proceed with our "Confused with all Filtration?" article.

A good aeration system is essential to a healthy Discus tank. Aeration is accomplished by breaking the surface of the water or by creating turbulence in the water. It can be accomplished in a few ways. Many aquariums are aerated using the turbulence created by the pumping action of a power filter or canister filter and the water falling back into the aquarium from overhead filter.

Another common method of aeration is to use an air pump to introduce air bubbles into the water with airstones. Airstones used provide supplementary aeration to that provided by a canister or power filter.

Selecting an Air Pump

When selecting an air pump, there is two primary considerations - power and number of outlets. The amount of air outputted depends on the power. When using an air pump with a deep tank, you should select a larger air pump with more power. The deeper the water, the more pressure, and thus the harder the air pump has to work harder to force air through the airstone and into the water.

The second consideration is whether do you need a single outlet or 17 outlets! But two output air pumps are the norm.

Other considerations

I have other considerations when it comes to buying an air pump. For one, I want it to be rather silent in operation. You can ignore a slight drone. Lastly, I want to have an adjustable switch to change the output anytime I want. It should have High, Medium and Low option. Quite demanding huh?

Air tubing

You would want to buy the best air tubes you can find. Prices can range from S$0.20 - S$0.80 per metre in Singapore. The reason I always get the best is because I hate my air tubing to harden. Once it hardens, it is difficult to attach the air tube to an airstone or an air pump. Good ones are more flexible and are softer. Always buy more than you need. You don't want to go back to the aquarium buying another tubing. I'll go for 5 metres or more.

Airstones

Airstones are an important part of creating a good aeration system in your tank. Air from the air pump passes through an airstone breaks up and produces tiny bubbles, which rise to the surface, breaking the surface tension of water. Airstones should be routinely changed and cleaned. Airstones come in different shapes and sizes too. Some are round, others are long and malleable, enablng you to bend it.

Sponge filter

Other than airstones, you can use sponge filter to release the air into your aquarium. You can have the best of both worlds. The sponge filter is filtrating your water and also aerating your aquarium! Isn't that great? I take advantage and use sponge filters in my Discus tanks too! I know of people who would only use sponge filters in their tanks. Nothing more than that, no airstones or decorations.

Check Valve

A check valve is a small device that when attached to the airline tubing prevents any water from back-flowing out of the aquarium into your air pump in the event of an power failure. This is not very necessary if you place your air pumps higher than your tank.

Gang Valve

A gang valve allows the airflow of one air pump to be divided out into many air lines. For example, one for an undergravel filter, one for an action ornament, one for an air stone, etc. I recommend you to use brass valves. Although they are slightly more expensive, they last longer, have adjustable air flow and are less prone to air leaks.

The airflow of each valve can be adjusted individually on the gang valve. These generally come in two, three, four, and five-way valves. By using a gang valve, you don't need to have a separate air pump for each filter, air stone, action ornament, etc.