Can I get a quiet pump for an air stone?

[illuminum]

I've never had one in my tank before b/c I've just always assumed that they make more noise... Am I right or are there quiet pumps for this?

 

[Smonkey15]

air pumps are usually very quiet. i have a huge one with 2 powerful air outputs and it makes minimal noise. you'd probably have a smaller one and it would make no more than a unnoticable hum.
steve

 

[loganj]

Sitting the pump on a foam type sponge will reduce the noise a lot. The Rena brand pumps are the quietest I have ever used, but they don't seem to last very long for me.

 

[TankGirl]

I agree that the Rena pumps are the quietest. When they start to make noise after you have had them a while there is a kit you get to replace the rubber flapper mechanism inside, then good as new. The Rena's are kind of pricey, so I like to refurbish them if possible.

 

[ferret]

In most cases, the pump isn't going to make more noise than your tank already makes. The key is to make sure its on a flat surface, and touches nothing else.

Most have little rubber peg legs that help dampen the sound, even sitting on wood. As long as nothing but the base touches anything, it should be quiet. If you put it in the corner or something, the noise you hear isn't the pump but it rattling against the wall.

Foam would help but should not be necessary. Just make sure nothing is touching it..

 

[RogerMcAllen]

Some places I have read talk about suspending them in the air by strings. Another idea is to add a chamber in the middle of the line somewhere made out of a pop bottle, this gives the air a place to expand out and will reduce the vibrations in the airline. I always just placed mine on a towel folded over several times.

 

[LondonGman]

I always just placed mine on a towel folded over several times.

I too use a folded towel and am lucky to have a cupboard underneath in which to conceal it. But it sitll slightly hums a bit but nothing unbearable or loud