anu

hi
pls tell hw long a oxygen pump shld b off in a 24 hr day
thnx

COBettaCouple

Our air pumps are always running.

griffin

i would tend to think they should be on unless you're also running co2 or something like that, and even then, some people still leave it on

sirdarksol

Turning the pump off if you have CO2 running can change the pH of the water within a very short time. For this reason, both of the books that I have that talk about CO2 for plants say that it would be better not to turn it off. I think that, with regular air, there's the same issue. The air is changing water parameters. Turning the air off lets those parameters revert to "regular" too quickly for the comfort of your fish.

griffin

can you explain? i'm not sure i understand what you're trying to say

vin

Basically, if you're running an air pump with an air stone with or without the use of cO2 (carbon dioxide), leave it on 24/7.....

sirdarksol

Yes, I meant to leave it on 24/7. Sorry, I didn't state that. Fish can usually adapt to quite a wide range of water types. However, very few can deal with rapid changes. Turning your air off will make a rapid change in the water quality, stressing the fish out.

griffin

i agree for the most part, but i think you can/should leave it off during the day if you're running diy co2. you're not making enough co2 to support running an air pump at the same time.

anu

hi
thnx
bt am still cnfusd if i leave it on fr 24/7 thn tht machine becomes very hot n my aquarium is covered by trans fiber sheet having big holes in it.


anu

COBettaCouple

The air pumps can get to feeling hot. But we have some that have been running constantly for months now. How old is your air pump, who makes it and how many gallons is it meant for?

vin

I run mine 24/7/365 with no problems with temperature. The pumps are built to run continuously. As for the cO2, I would think that starting and stopping the c02 would cause problems. I don't know as I've never used it, but wouldn't it jave an effect on the water?

Shelby

IMO and my tank. The bubbles are just for me. My fish could care less, I have left off for days at a time, I turn off the bubbles, air stones at night and only run them in the evening while I'm home. The Bio wheel and water filter are providing enough oxygen. On my tank anyway.

poppet

I believe they should be on 24/7 also. I also understand that pumps can run hotter if the air flow is restricted making the pump work harder.

vin

Just make sure that when you run an air pump that you install a back flow preventer or loop the hose to prevent a reverse syphon should the power go out or should you decide to turn it off at night or when cleaning your tank.

COBettaCouple

good call, we run all of the air hoses thru check valves and a gang valve to ensure a power outage doesn't mean a flood.

Gargoyle

I run air and C02... Both on all the time.. Heat is not an issue...

I adjust water PH parameters with my HOB filter... Crank it up PH goes up... Crank it down PH goes down.. Don't ask me why it just does.. LOL!!

vin

It's not so much the flood you have to worry about - it's the power coming back on and sparking an electrical fire.

COBettaCouple