air pump???

Question

Do I leave the air pump on 24/7 or can I turn it of sometime? If I leave it on 24/7/365 will it burn out?

Answer 1

You can leave the air pump on all the time. I've had all of mine going for about 4 months steady now, the only time they've been off is when the power went out. You're not going to harm anything by letting them run all the time.

JV

Answer 2

If you're running a filter using the air pump, leave it on or all the beneficial things will die. If you're just using the pump to blow air into a bubblewand or air stone (just to make bubbles in the tank), you can turn it off when you don't need the air in there anymore--I run an air pump for the tanks using a regular-type filter (hangs off the back of the tank or works internally in the tank) only when the weather gets hot and the tanks need additional oxygen. Eventually, everything mechanical will burn out but a good pump will last a year or more before it starts making too much noise or whatever. I've had some of our pumps for many many years and they are still going. Many of the better pump manufacturers sell replacement parts for their pumps too.

Answer 3

Okay, this would be like, if you were in the hospital and were on a respirator and the nurse said, "would it be okay if I turned it off from time to time?" No, you can never turn off the air pump. It puts life-giving oxygen in the water. Pumps are designed to run 24/7/365, but they will, eventually, wear out and you will need to get a new one.

Answer 4

They're designed to be kept on. You will notice there is no off switch. Once they are plugged in, they are "on". The only reason to use an air pump is if you are adding oxygen to your tank via an air stone or other devise attached to the pump. This is not something generally only used part time. It is not meant to be decorative.

If you are wondering if you actually need the air pump at all, that's a different question. You don't always need to have air/oxygen pumped into a tank if the filter is sufficient. If your setup is such that need to have one though, then you need to keep it going.

Answer 5

Hiya:

I believe the air pumps are designed to be left on continuously. Check the recommendations on the box yours came in. Also - try to find one that doesn't make a lot of noise. I found that was the most annoying thing about having one. I think they make some called "whispers" now.


Also - try a bubble wand? They are really cool and I've noticed that the fish like to play in them.

Enjoy!

~jifr!

Answer 6

You can leave it on or turn it off, i have mine running over night only but ive a planted tank, theres a rubber flange inside that eventually wears out and it easy to replace otherwise it'll last about 15/20 years.

AJ