Hey just want to see if there is such a thing as an air pump that will
not put noise into my 55 Long . Is noise any issue ? I put my ear on my stand and the vibration is noticeable I move both pumps off the stand no change. Not really an emergency I assume but am looking to dial in noise in the tank if it will help my O if not than I will not worry over it. Thanks

- Aqua Culture 2 outlet ( really noisy output )
- Tetra Wisper (not as bad)
- 55 Gallon long (terracotta pot hide place)

The short answer is no, not really. I've found the tetra whisper pumps to be the quietest air pumps, as quiet as most other high quality brands, like eheim. There are some things you can try to quieten them a bit, though.

The noise is mostly caused by vibration, so the noise reducing advice all has to do with lessening, or isolating, the vibrations.

Put it above the tank (if it isn't already), this has the pump working less hard, so it makes less noise.

Check your airstones/bubblers are clean and are not putting extra strain on your pump.

Put the pump itself on an absorbent mat. An old piece of carpet, a sponge, or a mouse pad, either one works, but with my pumps, different ones have had different levels of effectiveness. My last tetra whisper was on a carpet square on a mouse pad before I finally gave up on air pumps.

Try and put the pump (and whatever padding) on a solid surface. A stone counter top is truly the best, but obviously not always available.

Thanks for the advice . Did you say you gave up on air pumps? Do you use other means of getting o2 in your tank. (power head ??). thanks for the help

Nina_W wrote:
I will agree with the tetra wisper air pump. Probably the most quiet pump I've used to date even without any type of pad under it to absorb vibration.

andrewbux87 wrote:
yep, I don't have air pumps anymore, except for on hospital tanks, where I start up the old tetra whisper. My filtration provides enough surface disturbance and water movement for my fish to be fine oxygen wise - I also have trickle filters on my tanks, also a good source of oxygen. Pointing your returns so they disturb your water surface usually gives you more than enough gas exchange, but always judge by your own situation.

The air pumps really don't do much more than provide some surface agitation (and a frustrating humming sound), so I stopped with them. What they can do is increase your pH by forcing out CO2.

Thanks all one more ....
Is noise from these pumps an issue for the fish's well being?

I've never noticed my fish suffering from filter/air pump noise, and I've had some pretty loud pumps.

something interesting I found trying to get some scientific data to help:
www.fishchannel.com/fish-news/2011/03/04/fish-noise-sound.aspx

They get use to the noise within their tank.

I buildt a soundproof box, filled with sound dampening foam.
I only let a small gap for fresh air to be sucked in.
I put the box on some folded towels, and you won't hear a thing.
Mind you i use a pond airaetor with 4 stones attached, at full power.
But you gotto put some work in it!