Suggestion for emergency/power-out aeration

[Sk8r]

Anybody in a position to try this?---I think it's worth trying. Bicycle pump, connected to small line, connected to airstone. Fifteen minutes of vigorous pumping per hour could really turn things over. If one got really clever with plumbing, one might be able to figure out how to move water from sump to tank and let gravity work.

Also: http://www.pbsboatstore.com/attwood-waterbuster-cordless-pump.htm

http://www.firstchoicemarine.com/p-149-attwood-marine-hand-operated-bilge-pump-18-11589-5.aspx ---this one pumps water

 

[disc1]

My only concern would be contamination. Have you ever smelled the air that comes out of a bicycle pump? Sometimes you can smell the pump oil in it. Also it would be wise to make sure that any metal parts are saltwater safe before using to move water.

 

[disc1]

The two you linked look fine though. I've seen people use a bilge pump for a powerhead before. And the second one is all plastic.

Guess maybe I misunderstood what you meant by bicycle pump.

 

[Sk8r]

Well, the bicycle pump would be moving air-only, not water, though oil could aerosol out into the water; but I prefer the plastic bilge pump idea. If you did have some rust, they're cheap enough compared to the investment in a tank, you could get a new one for the next emergency. In my 54, the ability to cycle the pods/oxygen of my 20 g fuge upstairs once an hour would be a serious doomsday-clock-reset.

 

[BeanAnimal]

Why not just buy a few of the D-CELL operated air pumps and keep a stock of D-CELLS in h the fridge?

Moving air in the tank moves water... if you need filtration, then the good old carbon/floss submersibles and/or sponge filters are air driven.

Keep it simple and cheap

 

[zigzag1]

Why not just buy a few of the D-CELL operated air pumps and keep a stock of D-CELLS in h the fridge?

Moving air in the tank moves water... if you need filtration, then the good old carbon/floss submersibles and/or sponge filters are air driven.

Keep it simple and cheap

Another big advantage of the D-cell air pumps is that you can get one that plugs in, just to detect when the power is lost and only run then. So with just a piece of rigid airline tubing stuck in an inconspicous are of the DT, you have an automatic backup. I keep mine plugged into a UPS that runs one Tunze for a while, so when the tunze dies after several hours, the air kicks in automatically after that. Somewhat paranoid about power loss, I know.. :wave:

 

[zigzag1]

http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/group/10437/product.web

or here http://www.aquacave.com/silent-air-battery-back-up-brsystem-by-pennplax-3004.html