Just wondered if anyone uses an air compressor for their air supply

[kbhale]

Just wondered if anyone uses an air compressor for their air supply. I've seen a lot of good buys on 2 gallon models.

[GpsFrontier]

Originally Posted by kbhale

Just wondered if anyone uses an air compressor for their air supply. I've seen a lot of good buys on 2 gallon models.

Unless you are running a large operation a air compressor will be a huge wast of money. First you can get an air pump at any pet supply shop, and at Walmart they run from $7 to $15. Second it would cost way more to run an air compressor than a air pump.

If you do want to use a compressor there are a few things you should consider. First, You need to filter the air to your system/s because even a dry compressor still needs a lubricant from time to time or it wears out fast. These contaminates would get trapped in the nutrient solution as well as the air stones contaminating your nutrient solution. Second you need to regulate the presser. Most compressors will have a presser regulator, but are designed for power tools and may not go low enough. You probably wouldn't want more than 5 to 10 psi Max or you risk blowing the lines and damaging the stones. Also if you have multiple systems you are using it for you may need multiple inline presser regulators, because the more stones and farther the distance form the source, the presser will drop rapidly.

[kbhale]

Thanks for the reply. I was just thinking, I have four dual pumps now. This coming spring I plan four beds outside another couple dual air pumps. I was thinking it might better in the long run to supply all air from one source.

[GpsFrontier]

Originally Posted by kbhale

Thanks for the reply. I was just thinking, I have four dual pumps now. This coming spring I plan four beds outside another couple dual air pumps. I was thinking it might better in the long run to supply all air from one source.

I have often thought that myself, I have 3 systems running right now and have more planed. I am also looking for another single source for the air supply, though I haven't been really looking. I would first find a place that sold really large fish tanks. Like 1000 gallons and up and ask what they use in those fish tanks for there air supply.

[GpsFrontier]

I Did a quick search for Large aquarium air pumps and found a few possibility's (especially the last one), but I would want to call them and talk to a live person to make sure that they will work for your purpose.

TETRA-TEC DEEP WATER AIR PUMPS
High-Pressure Aquarium Air pump 7.0 P.S.I.
Air Pump with Diffuser - 9150 cu. in. per Minute
Aquarium Linear Air Pumps

[smurf]

oil in the water? no way. Dont worry about that.

There are many many large air supply for fish pumps that feed 4+ air lines.
Remember air pumps only push out around 3 - 4 psi.



Now you can add a oil catch can to a air compressor and no oil or water will be returned to your water supply system. Think about it, they paint cars and such with air compressors and if oil got into paint it would look like crap.

It you think that you need a mass amount of air, I would recommend getting a high volume air pump for a fish tank not a air compressor. However if you needed to get a air comp. then get a large one, like 25 gallons and set the regulator to 2 psi - just like a fish pump. It wont turn on very much.

I have used the above fish pump to make an air lift system to filter a 6000 gallon fish tank. So I think a compressor is over kill.