Air pump smells very plastic-y?

Hello Fishlore,

I just received 3 air pumps (tetra whisper) in the mail. I’ve noticed that all of these air pumps smell like plastic whether you buy them from the store or from amazon. Is it safe to use them without running them for a long time to get rid of plastic smell? Thanks for any advice!

 

You could probably just rinse them in aquarium water first.
I don't think that the smell would do anything, unless its really that bad.

 

You could probably just rinse them in aquarium water first.
I don't think that the smell would do anything, unless its really that bad.

I can't rinse an air pump in water. It would short circuit and not work anymore...

 

I can't rinse an air pump in water. It would short circuit and not work anymore...

xD. I thought you meant the airSTONES for some reason.
Yeah its perfectly safe to use it. Why wouldn't it be?

 

Hello Fishlore,

I just received 3 air pumps (tetra whisper) in the mail. I’ve noticed that all of these air pumps smell like plastic whether you buy them from the store or from amazon. Is it safe to use them without running them for a long time to get rid of plastic smell? Thanks for any advice!

I think its fine since the pump itself doesn't touch the water. If the air stone or tubing smells off I would try rinsing it though.

 

xD. I thought you meant the airSTONES for some reason.
Yeah its perfectly safe to use it. Why wouldn't it be?

Oh that's ok. Because (and I should've mentioned this earlier) the air coming out has a strong plastic smell and I think that some of those chemicals could leech into the water.

 

I think its fine since the pump itself doesn't touch the water. If the air stone or tubing smells off I would try rinsing it though.

I'm worried because the air coming out of the pump smells badly, afraid those odors could leech into the water and harm the fish.

 

If you don’t feel safe just run it for a few hours before hooking it up to the tank.

 

I'm worried because the air coming out of the pump smells badly, afraid those odors could leech into the water and harm the fish.

Oh that makes sense.

 

If you don’t feel safe just run it for a few hours before hooking it up to the tank.

I've been athough it still smells like plastic. I think it should be okay though because if the smell was a fish killer it would be all over the internet, right?

 

I've been athough it still smells like plastic. I think it should be okay though because if the smell was a fish killer it would be all over the internet, right?

Yeah it should be. If you notice any deaths/weird behavior after putting them in then I'd take them out.

 

Yeah it should be. If you notice any deaths/weird behavior after putting them in then I'd take them out.

Ok thanks!

 

I dont know about the air pump, but I've put plasticky smelling powerheads in my tanks with no problems. They even had some kind of chinesium grease on them that I wiped off and called it good. My tank even has babies now, so no problems

 

I dont know about the air pump, but I've put plasticky smelling powerheads in my tanks with no problems. They even had some kind of chinesium grease on them that I wiped off and called it good. My tank even has babies now, so no problems

Ok, good to know that it's safe. Thanks!