Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I've just brought myself a new air pump (piston type) and it's even noisier than the last one. Has anyone got a good suggestion on how to muffle the noise? I dont want to upset the neighbours, or my son who has it outside his window. Do these things get hot? I am worried that if I wrap it up in a box (or several layers of box) with input and output sticking out, that it might get too hot?

Maybe construct a box and line it with sound dampening foam. I kind of did the same thing with mine (its a hakko though so much quieter) but it did help.

More foam you can get around the pump the better. Eat up the noise.

mines not a piston type but its still too loud for me , so I put it in an old fire extinguisher box then lined the inside with offcuts of foam from a foam shop

theres a side vent for air to get in and theres a small computer fan wired to a 9v mobile phone charger blowing air directly onto it to keep it from getting too hot

seems to work well , hasnt overheated and I can barely hear it now

A small old chest freezer or bar fridge??? vent holes for cooling and intake hose ran to the outside?

If its the magnetic piston type (think its called A003 etc) I find most of the noise is from vibration on the bench. Try suspending with a string tied to the handle, so it doesn't touch anything.

put a ceramic pot plant holder over mine, be a where that it draws in air from it primary intake
so if it's in a box the air will be hotter than ambient temp outside

I also hang mine by string or a bungee as chainsaw does.

I actually like to be able to hear it, means I can tell if things are running without going outside, is amazing how tuned in to the system sounds you get. Have to admit mine isn't outside a bedroom window or a neighbour's place.

cod fish

Yep, just shoot it and buy a quieter one..
But have to agree with Cod. I like hearing my system running. My air-pump though at 55lpm is only 30db and I can't hear it until I'm standing right next to it..
T

I've also hung one before, much quieter.

if you do hang it make sure that the wire/rope/string/whatever that you hang it isn't tight over a solid object (like a wood or metal beam as the sound will travel nicely and resonate. put a piece of rubber under the loop that it hangs from if you go this way. if it is a piston type with the finned metal body then yes it does get warmish, and if you decide to box it remember that it needs some gap or hole for it to draw in air atleast for it to pump.

What brand is that one Tony?

Yes I like to hear my system too, and I was able to prevent a disaster last week when I could hear a problem. But a loud air pump is a loud air pump, and I wouldnt be able to hear if another problem developed.

My 1st attempt in sliencing the air pump failed and was almost a disaster. I didnt realise how hot these pumps could get and with all of my sound insulation there was a meltdown on the first night when I went out. A friend has suggested simply move the airpump further away and run a long air hose back to the fish tank. I have an enclosure with my swimming pool pump and that should be far enough away from the house and still have good air flow around the pump.

You will lose a lot of power quite dramatically even with a few metres of air line because they are not compressors, but pumps. And may overheat very quickly if too far from the stones.
Mine is detailed here http://www.aquasonic.com.au/catalogue/d ... hp?id=6365
Its a decent size though and is housed in a battery case outside with 3 vent holes. Runs all day no probs and right next door to the neighbours.