Aq Co-op Single & Dual Air Pumps... Power Rating?

[JChristophersAdventures]

Hi, Everybody!

I am in the process of setting up an aquarium after 25-30 years out of the hobby and I am looking at the Aquarium Co-op air pumps for use with air diffusers rather than air stones to make more/tinier bubbles. The makers of these diffuser disks (like Pawfly) are recommending a minimum 4W (8W if you want lots of bubbles).

The AC air pump specs are 1-2 W for the single and 2+W for the dual model. However, it doesn't say what setting that is on or if that is plugged in or on battery back up. Obviously, as you turn the airflow up, it is going to be at a higher wattage. I could buy one and hook it to my KILOWATT meter and test it, but would rather know in advance of purchasing.

Anyone have experience with these running diffusers? Anyone know what the range of watts are for each of the settings? Would be nice to have a chart posted with the product showing this information.

Thanks.

JChristophersAdventures

[Fish Folk]

Welcome back to the hobby!

While I do not speak for ACO, as a customer I'd make the assumption that the given 2.1 watt measurement for the dual output model is based on the pump plugged into AC, and that the DC battery backup scheduled at ca. 8 hrs is not necessarily framed in terms of wattage, but provides an adequate supply of air.

The main difficulty in presenting customers with more details is that everyone's application is going to be decidedly different. The same flow of air that perfectly powers a diffuser set at the bottom of a 20 gal long may show signs of difficulty from the bottom of a 55 gal. or a 125 gal. Additionally, a new diffuser will operate far more efficiently than a long-used, clogged diffuser. Running an old, stubborn check-valve will have an impact as well. These factors make it difficult to be more precise.

I'd maybe reach out to ACO, and inquire about their return policy. Explain your situation. 

 

Edited July 5, 2023 by Fish Folk

[JChristophersAdventures]

Thanks for your input, Fish Folk. I will definitely be contacting them before buying too many of them. Of course, they will obviously work great on my quarantine tanks which will be running normal air stones and sponge filters, but I was also hoping to use them on a 75 gallon with the bubble diffusers.

What I will also likely end up doing is getting several for the quarantine tanks, testing them on the 75 gallon and ordering more if they do the job. If not, then no harm done. I will only used them for quarantine. Thanks, again.

JChristophersAdventures

Edited July 5, 2023 by JChristophersAdventures