55 Gallon Tank Best Battery Powered Air Pumps

What is your best referred battery powered air pump for air stones? I have 4 air stones in total in 2 different tanks. My power went off Saturday night at 11:58 and didn't come back on until 5am. I was so scared for my fishes I didn't sleep at all that night! I desperately need a battery powered air pump so when it happens again I don't have to worry about them running out of oxygen. I checked online at petco but they had 0. I will probably get them off Amazon. What Amazon ones do yall prefer?

 

I have only owned one and it's the Aquatop Battery Powered Air Pump. I am sure there are better ones but it gets the job done. It is loud and eats through batteries pretty good.

 

I would certainly look into the USB air pumps as well. I know they are usually available at places amazon as well.

 

I lose power quite often between PG&E shutoffs and living in the mountains.

I have half a dozen power bubble fishwell areators I run off a small scale solar 12v backup system. All my tanks have at least one sponge filter that runs off these. They put out pretty good volume of air and one I think could be split to handle 4 tanks.

A 20ah solar battery or a deep cycle car battery and one of these 12v pumps should give you 12-24 hours. Of course you could get larger batteries.

Youd also want to invest in a 12v battery charger to have the battery ready for an emergency.

For me it's peace of mind if ever I'm home or away and power goes out.

 

I have a Penn Plax that I haven't used in several years, but when I did use it, it worked fine. Very noisy.

I used to set it up if I was going to be away from home for an extended period.

 

I would certainly look into the USB air pumps as well. I know they are usually available at places like aquarium co-op, probably amazon as well.

USB won't be any good once the powers off

 

Another option, although not an inexpensive one, is to get a Uninterruptible Power Supply UPS that has lead acid batteries. They should power your air pumps for quite a while.

 

Another option, although not an inexpensive one, is to get a Uninterruptible Power Supply UPS that has lead acid batteries. They should power your air pumps for quite a while.

There are also battery power backups now available that would work. They are like a UPS, but probably run longer. Some have an optional solar panel for charging as well as charging from your car cigarette lighter.

Similar to what TanksfortheMemories uses but is "plug and play" For example, for $150US you can get one that can put out 260watts. That would be enough to run several pumps / filters.

 

USB won't be any good once the powers off

Thats why you get one that charges when plugged in, some have internal batteries, some dont. Least buy you some time when power goes out.

 

Ive been using a portable rechargeable pump. A fully charged one last well into the next day. Duration will depend on the size of the rechargeable battery of course. It's not quiet either but gets the job done. If for any reason, the outage is extended i would just use one of those battery packs for mobile phones to keep it charged. The one i have doesn't use the battery unless power is gone. Only thing for the particular model i have it doesn't come with it's own power adapter....just a USB cable. Any 5A 1.5 V will work.

Petbank Aquarium Air Pump with Dual Outlet - Portable Fish Tank Air Pump with Air Stones, Quiet Aquarium Bubbler 1.5-2L/min²Two Power Supply Modes, Ideal for Aquarium, Fishing and Power Outage

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B097ZVQ9LH/

 

USB won't be any good once the powers off

They will if you have a backup battery you can plug them into.

 

I'm not wanting something extra loud. I have ear issues and very loud noises do tend to kill my ears and Aldo a major PTSD trigger. Seems like I don't have much of a choice either....

 

I wouldn't assume they are all loud. The one I mentioned is a cheap device and not one of the modern USB rechargeable pumps. When I bought it, USB pumps didn't exist.
Get one that has a charge cable that can plug into your car to recharge in the event of an extended outage.

 

Here's thread from last year that has some suggestions as well:
Best Battery powered air pump for power outages? | Freshwater Tank Equipment Forum | 489250

 

I wouldn't assume they are all loud. The one I mentioned is a cheap device and not one of the modern USB rechargeable pumps. When I bought it, USB pumps didn't exist.
Get one that has a charge cable that can plug into your car to recharge in the event of an extended outage.

There is alot of quite ones
I found these 2... what do you guys think?

There is alot of quite ones
I found these 2... what do you guys think?

 

Why not get a UPS and have it filter/condition power to the aquarium? When power goes out, it automatically kicks the battery in and everything keeps running - heater, filter, lights, bubbler, etc. Decent sized ones are around $100.

 

Most home consumer UPS will not be sufficient for extended power outages. For a midsized setup, maybe it will go for 6-7 hours before battery drains for a higher capacity model. They are good for shorter duration but I think OP is still looking for something that can keep the stock alive for longer periods of time if need be. UPS do have their place in the aquarium home and you can always combine the 2.

My midsized UPS will maybe keep the tank going for 3-4 hours. If there ever is a extended power outage, I know I have the battery powered pump to keep my aeration going for another 20-30 hours. Plus, having a portable pump is just handy to have around when you're doing different stuff.

 

Most home consumer UP's will not be sufficient for extended power outages. For a midsized setup, maybe it will go for 6-7 hours before battery drains for a higher capacity model. They are good for shorter duration but I think OP is still looking for something that can keep the stock alive for longer periods of time if need be. UPS do have their place in the aquarium home and you can always combine the 2.

My midsized UPS will maybe keep the tank going for 3-4 hours. If there ever is a extended power outage, I know I have the battery powered pump to keep my aeration going for another 20-30 hours. Plus, having a portable pump is just handy to have around when you're doing different stuff.

I need 2 so I'm not looking for spend more then max $30 on each one! One is for a 55 gallon tank and the other is for a 29 gallon tank. Both tanks have 2 bubbles. NOT worried about the lights and heaters, more worried about oxygen. They are all goldfish, plecos and cory catfish so they are use to cooler water temps. My power usually stays off max 6 hours bc of maintenance on our city's power boxes and lines. Never had more then a 6 hour outage. So something to last 6-8 hours is good.. sucks I need to and don't have alot of money to be spending but I need these like asap so I'm kinda stuck.

Why not get a UPS and have it filter/condition power to the aquarium? When power goes out, it automatically kicks the battery in and everything keeps running - heater, filter, lights, bubbler, etc. Decent sized ones are around $100.

I need 2 so I'm not looking for spend more then max $30 on each one! One is for a 55 gallon tank and the other is for a 29 gallon tank. Both tanks have 2 bubbles. NOT worried about the lights and heaters, more worried about oxygen.

 

I need 2 so I'm not looking for spend more then max $30 on each one! One is for a 55 gallon tank and the other is for a 29 gallon tank. Both tanks have 2 bubbles. NOT worried about the lights and heaters, more worried about oxygen. They are all goldfish, plecos and cory catfish so they are use to cooler water temps. My power usually stays off max 6 hours bc of maintenance on our city's power boxes and lines. Never had more then a 6 hour outage. So something to last 6-8 hours is good.. sucks I need to and don't have alot of money to be spending but I need these like asap so I'm kinda stuck.

Yes, that's why i'm saying there's really no need for you to get the UPS in your case as was suggested. Just go with the portable pumps like the ones you listed.

 

Years ago when I moved nearly 1000 miles with a tub of live fish, I purchase one of the 12volt air pumps fishermen use to keep bait fish alive in a bait bucket. That worked well for me. I did not lose a single fish during the two day journey and the subsequent time it took for the movers to arrive, unpack my aquariums and get them set up and ready for the fish.

 

Yes, that's why i'm saying there's really no need for you to get the UPS in your case as was suggested. Just go with the portable pumps like the ones you listed.

But outta those.... are they good?

Years ago when I moved nearly 1000 miles with a tub of live fish, I purchase one of the 12volt air pumps fishermen use to keep bait fish alive in a bait bucket. That worked well for me. I did not lose a single fish during the two day journey and the subsequent time it took for the movers to arrive, unpack my aquariums and get them set up and ready for the fish.

Do you have a link?

 

But outta those.... are they good?

Do you have a link?

My last move was in 1999, so I have no idea which pump I had back then. It would have been something similar to this one:

https://www.amazon.com/B15-Marine-Metal-Aeration-Bubbles/dp/B000EYWNVQ/

It has clamps to clip on the terminals of an auto or marine battery.

 

I assume you have air pumps already that aren't a PTSD issue. So again, an UPS would be a very good fit here. Here's why...

Under your current scenario....your power goes out. Now you get to fiddle with air pumps that you don't regularly use. Hopefully they have a battery and charge. If you're anything like my household, when you go to use it you find out the battery is dead. No power, no charging and you now get to replace the batteries in the dark. You have spare batteries right? Cause in my house the kids used them on their toys and didn't tell anyone when they emptied the pack so now I get to find a store with power and batteries. Then you now get to fiddle with your tank getting the portable pump in place and running correctly. You mentioned late at night so you're doing this with a flashlight to see (or cell phone). Sounds fun.

Under a UPS....nothing changes. Your current pumps keep right on doing their thing. Don't need the heater, lights or filter battery protected? Plug them into the side of the UPS that only supplies filtered power. The APC unit I have under my desk has 2 sets of plugs - one only filtered, the other set is filtered AND battery protected. Get a UPS that you can silence the alarm if needed.

What's going to last longer? A C or D sized battery OR a small lawnmower/motorcycle battery? Hint...the bigger battery.

**My father has PTSD so I get it.

 

My air pumps are supposed to be delivered today!! Super excited! We are getting storms today also so they came in perfect timing!!!
Update: one works great, the other does not!!! I was under the impression that it would work off a battery... um no. It's required to stay plugged in via USB. If the power goes out it does me 0 good. Ugh. So now I have to return it, get a refund and order another one... just my luck.

 

My air pumps are supposed to be delivered today!! Super excited! We are getting storms today also so they came in perfect timing!!!
Update: one works great, the other does not!!! I was under the impression that it would work off a battery... um no. It's required to stay plugged in via USB. If the power goes out it does me 0 good. Ugh. So now I have to return it, get a refund and order another one... just my luck.

Or just order a USB power bank designed to charge your cell phone. An alkaline AA cell contains about 2500 mah of energy. A lithium AA battery (not lithium ion) will have around 3500 mah.

You can get power banks with rechargeable lithium ion batteries with up to 25000 mah or even higher. One battery pack will replace 10 alkaline AA cells.

 

Or just order a USB power bank designed to charge your cell phone. An alkaline AA cell contains about 2500 mah of energy. A lithium AA battery (not lithium ion) will have around 3500 mah.

You can get power banks with rechargeable lithium ion batteries with up to 25000 mah or even higher. One battery pack will replace 10 alkaline AA cells.

Never thought of that.....

 

Never thought of that.....

You are welcome.

 

You are welcome.

Unfortunately I can order a new pump cheaper then buying a power bank. it's sad.

You are welcome.

NinjaBatt Power Bank – 20000mAh Portable Charger with 2 X USB and USB-C Ports – High-Capacity External Battery Compatible with iPhone, Samsung, iPad, and More https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07ZH7K5NP/

What do you think of this one?

 

Penn Plax Silent Air. Plugs into wall. Only turns on during power outage. Runs off batteries. Definitely recommend! Much cheaper than other options!

 

Penn Plax Silent Air. Plugs into wall. Only turns on during power outage. Runs off batteries. Definitely recommend! Much cheaper than other options!

I like one of the ones I bought it's USB chargeable and runs off batteries. The 2nd one I thought was the same but cheaper and come to find out it does not run off batteries at all.

 

If I lived in an area that experiences frequent power outages of extended duration, then using one powered by AA batteries might be a good idea. Otherwise you might get caught with a power bank that is not charged. If I lived in an area where outages are less frequent, I would pick the power bank. You can recharge a power bank many times before it fails. AA batteries (unless you get rechargeable NiMH batteries) are used once and then are discarded.

 

I have done lots of traveling with fish, both rescues and reloactions. I have several of the "cheap" C Cell portable aerators (bubble box) that are primarily used for fishing, these work quite well and are noisy enough to be able to audibly confirm that they are working. However, they are alot quieter than the Penn Plax! For simplicity's sake, I would setup the USB powered pumps, let them run full time. When power is on, let them run via USB plugs, and when the power is off, just switch them over to a portable power pack. One other idea that I use on my fry tanks, is I have an APC that was designed for a desktop to give it power during power outages. I use it to run a couple of air pumps and 1 heater in the winter!