Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Given the issues with the pumps I have had in the short time I have had them, what brands of pumps do people recommend.

I have used:

ACO-003
Pros: Cheap to buy ($40), cheap to run (40W), does the job (40lpm)
Cons: Noisey (as in air compressor level), runs hot (wouldnt tough it), can gallop across the yard if not careful (wife's happy)

AquaOne PondOne O2 Plus 8000
Pros: Medium cost ($180), Cheap to run (47W), does the job (70lpm), Quiet (as in pedestal air fan), outer housing is cool (dont know about inner housing), weatherproof (although manual advises it to be located out of the weather)
Cons: Diaphragm died are 4 weeks

Blagdon?

Oase?

LP?

HAP?

Seeking input for my next pump.

I am using the Pond One O2 Plus 4000 (20W, 35L/m).

Hopefully it wont break after 4 weeks, but it does come with a 3yr warranty. All reports I found about them suggest they are good quality.

Perhaps you got a dud?

Most likely a dud....disphragm replacements being sent to me.

Diaphragms are not covered under the warranty.

Hmmm, didn't pick that up in the warranty when I skimmed over it - must reread it thoroughly tonight.

Think I will also be ordering some spare Diaphragms - just in case.

Apparently most brands do not cover diaphragms. Only pump I know cover disphragm is Oase.

I called the importer and they agree it is odd for it to die after 4 weeks so they are sending me 2 diaphragms.

Just annoying that the pump is making a racket (comparatively, still less noisey than the ACO).

Hopefully the pump wont develop other issues from now until I get the replacement diaphragms.

Got 3 Blagdon Koi Airs, 2x25L/min and one 50. They come with spare diaphrams and filter sponges and push heaps of air down to a metre. Also come with a great manifold
The 25L model is quiet as but the 50 hums a bit but not enough to worry anyone
The 50L in the pic has been running on my community tank for 6months and will go on the new system when built. Got an ACO 007 on it now that I have heard Netabs AC) 009 running. Didnt realise that they ran so quiet once you put air stones on them

Yep... never understood the clamour about the ACO-xxx pumps making a lot of noise...

Mind you... I think every post that has said that... quotes the "Hailea"....

Yeah our ACO's weren't that noisy..

Yeah well it was mainly me going on about them but I only ever turned the thing on with no manifold or air lines so like that the fart like a donkey. Only had to put a length of clear tubing on the outlet and hardly any noise

I might have to borrow a decibel meter to get some empirical numbers.

The O2Plus 8000 was vey quiet whilst the aco was like an air compressor for a nail gun. If boxed, the aco was a low hum. But boxed is easily overheated.

Just downloaded a free iPhone app to measure decibels by Jamoke.

Will do some tests tomorrow and report back.

Would be interested for others to do the same, especially those saying they aco is quiet.

I will measure right next to (10cm) an uncovered aco and 1 metre away.

I think it depends on what they are sitting on as they do tend to vibrate more than many other airpumps. I have been using the Kamair Pumps and are impressed with them so far as they put out more air than the ACO type for less watts.

Nice app.

Just used it to test the noise from my airpump however the noise from the crickets over powered it. So does the water returning to the fish tank at 43db.

Air pump is a PondOne O2 Plus 4000.

Tested my airpumps.

ACO measured 80 decibels
O2 8000 measured 45 decibels

My aco is in a box and it did vibrate and make noise . So I drilled a couple of small holes in the top of the box and hung the pump from the lid with some rope. Hardly hear the thing now.