Alita AL-15A is this an overkill Air pump

I currently have a Electromagnetic air pump rated at 38 GPH that can't possibly be outputting that amount of air. Thinking about upgrading to a Alita pump but debating on the 6A of 15A. Right now running 10 sponge filters. and I am probably want to add my aging barrels and another tank soon. I am running regular tubing from the splitter and I know I should change that for larger id tubing so I can split at the end points. The pump gets very hot and it's loud but since it's in an isolated room noise is not the issue. My interest is output and reliability low noise would be a plus.

 

You must upgrade the tubing from what pump you run in future.
Any hose tubing needs a bleed off line , that is hose that lets back pressure escape. Any pump should have air that is not being use escape or you will shorten the live of the pump considerably. The fact you have heat and noise leads me to think you are not bleeding off unused air ?

As you ask about reliability you need to fix the hoses first.

Each sponge filter or outlet needs about 1.5 litres of air per minute maximum.

I would recommend you buy two pumps so you have at one as a spare as this is the life support system for your fish.

I don’t see how many litres per minute or gallons per hour the Alita AL 15 A is but this advertisement says it can have up to 20 outlets.
AL-15A Linear Air Pump.

I have no experience with Alita pumps. I have tried a few and have found Nitto Kohki pumps to be very quite when installed correctly.

Coincidentally aquarium co op sell a limited range of sizes in this brand.
The LA 80 B I use pumps 80 litres per minute. More than enough for 60 outlets.

 

You must upgrade the tubing from what pump you run in future.
Any hose tubing needs a bleed off line , that is hose that lets back pressure escape. Any pump should have air that is not being use escape or you will shorten the live of the pump considerably. The fact you have heat and noise leads me to think you are not bleeding off unused air ?

As you ask about reliability you need to fix the hoses first.

Each sponge filter or outlet needs about 1.5 litres of air per minute maximum.

I would recommend you buy two pumps so you have at one as a spare as this is the life support system for your fish.

Yes I need a backup so I was thinking to use the one I have as backup. New line will go in this weekend just need to decide on the pump. I also have plenty of individual large Tetra 100 gallon pumps as an emergency backup now. For what I been reading the heat and noise is typical for that pump that why it's one big heatsink.

 

Check out linear piston / diaphragm air pumps.
I have our air pump in the garage with 4 odd feet of 1/2 inch irrigation hose running in the ceiling. I use a 1/2 tap half closed to bleed of air.

 

You must upgrade the tubing from what pump you run in future.
Any hose tubing needs a bleed off line , that is hose that lets back pressure escape. Any pump should have air that is not being use escape or you will shorten the live of the pump considerably. The fact you have heat and noise leads me to think you are not bleeding off unused air ?

As you ask about reliability you need to fix the hoses first.

Each sponge filter or outlet needs about 1.5 litres of air per minute maximum.

I would recommend you buy two pumps so you have at one as a spare as this is the life support system for your fish.

I don’t see how many litres per minute or gallons per hour the Alita AL 15 A is but this advertisement says it can have up to 20 outlets.
AL-15A Linear Air Pump.

I have no experience with Alita pumps. I have tried a few and have found Nitto Kohki pumps to be very quite when installed correctly.View attachment 857581
Coincidentally aquarium co op sell a limited range of sizes in this brand.
The LA 80 B I use pumps 80 litres per minute. More than enough for 60 outlets.

Nice setup hard to get in the US.
Specs on both.
Kens Fish has them in stock.



Update
I just ordered the AL-15A since they have the same footprint and not much price difference and better output.

 

Looking at those specifications the AL 15A is the better option as the smaller pump would be at its limit at 10 litres per minute running 10 outlets. This would mean you have no spare capacity to run any more outlets in future. Needing to run brine shrimp hatchery etc in future would see you running another pump .

In my town hydrophobic shops are a cheap source for air pumps.

 

Wow nice pump!! I got the Alita AL15A today and once installed it's super quiet. I am bleeding some air with a air stone and you can hardly hear it. I will be getting the rest of the tubing in the next couple of days so this weekend I will finish the install. I am using 3/8 tubing with quick connects so I can add where I need. I got some tees that reduce to 1/4 so I can feed the splitters on each rack/tank.

 

OK I did the new 3/8 line and it's working great.

 

The ISpring RO makes a great shelf since it's above my head, solid and has the room to fit the pump. I am waiting for the check valve that goes before the the valve just as a precaution not that it really needs it at that height. The manifold has one output with an air stone to release pressured.