Every experienced aquarist knows how important is the availability of a quality and suitable capacity tank aquarium compressor. It enriches the thickness of the water with oxygen, does not allow the water masses to stagnate, which avoids the turbidity and development of various diseases and putrefactive processes that can adversely affect the inhabitants of the aquarium.
Types of aquarium filter compressors
The principle of operation of air aquarium compressors is quite simple. With the help of a special device, mechanical injection of air into the outlet hole occurs, to which a special hose is connected. This hose descends as low as possible into the aquarium and the water saturates with oxygen. Most often, at the end of the shlag, a special atomizer is also attached, which crushes the air jet into a multitude of smallest bubbles, which makes it possible to carry out the aeration process much faster. Aeration is called the supply of air to the water mass, so aquarium compressors are often also called aerators.
Depending on the air injection mechanism, two main types of aquarium compressors are distinguished: membrane and piston compressors. In membranes, oxygen is supplied to the air by the movement of special membranes. This is an excellent option for a silent aquarium compressor, so it can be switched on constantly, even at night. Such an air pump will not interfere with the rest of the people in the room. But there are some disadvantages of such devices. So, such a quiet aquarium compressor does not have enough power to conduct aeration of very large water tanks or aquarium columns. However, for domestic aquariums it is usually quite enough (the largest amount of water in which a membrane compressor can work is 150 liters).
The second kind of aquarium compressor works on the basis of the movement of the piston, which forcefully pushes the water jet into the hose. With this mechanism, you can create even very powerful aquarium compressors that can cope with large volumes of water. Most often they are used in aquariums located in public places and having a large size. Aquarium columns are also often supplied with a similar compressor. The disadvantage of this mechanism is the increased noise level in comparison with the membrane version.
Installing and using the compressor
Most often, the air compressor should be located above the water level. Therefore, its external unit can be placed on the shelf next to the aquarium or directly on its cover. There are also options with vacuum suckers, which are easily fixed on the walls of the aquarium from the inside or outside. Depending on the design features, the aerator can be operated from an electrical outlet, or from batteries. After installation, the pump tube is lowered as low as possible into the aquarium, it is desirable to place it on the bottom (some owners, guided by aesthetic considerations, instill sprays into the ground, although this is not recommended).
If we talk about the mode of operation of the aerator, then in the case of silent mechanisms, most aquarium owners leave them to work constantly, since this device does not consume much energy. Meanwhile, some owners believe that it is more useful to periodically turn on the aquarium compressor (the optimal mode is two hours of work and two hours of rest). In addition, it is recommended to constantly switch on the aerator after feeding the fish , as well as at night. In this case, the aquarium will be best enriched with oxygen, and putrefactive processes caused by the products of the vital activity of fish and food residues will slow down.