Putting Noisy Air Pump on a timer?

I have a 75 gallon tank and a Fluval Q2 air pump. Is it ok if I have my air pump on a timer so it is not as noisy when the kids go to bed?

I also have a Fluval 406 filter which will run 24/7 and the discharge creates quiet a bit of surface agitation. Will the fish care, will it spook them when it all of the sudden turns on?

The air pump will support a bubble wall at the back of the tank and 2 stones located inside some decor.

 

You really don't need the air pump at all. The surface agitation from your filter is all you need to oxygenate. Gas exchange doesn't happen from the bubbles, but from the movement of water from top to bottom. Your filter is providing that. The bubble wall is just nice to look at.

 

You should be fine with putting the air pump on a timer. I can't imagine one one/off cycle a day would stress your fish.

 

That would be fine if you want it on a a timer ,I usually leave mime on during the day ,then a few hours before I go to bed ,I shut the down the air pump also ,From what I learned is when fish sleep they like still water so I try to make it calm as possible when they sleep.

 

I have a Q1 air pump, very similar to your Q2.

Timer won't be a problem at all for it.

You may want to try placing the airpump on a towel or something that won't transmit the vibrations to quiet it down.

 

Make sure you use a check valve, or better yet, set the air pump at a level above the aquarium. When the pump shuts down it can create a siphon, especially with air stones.

 

Yes, I noticed this, I have a check valve on it and I noticed water in one of the lines as my pump is located underneath the tank to help dampen the noise. Is this ok or will it eventually get past the check valve. It seems as though when I turn it on it take a few seconds to push the water out and begin pumping air through the bubble wall.