Aeration plumbing size

[M Cosmo]

 I need to plumb my air diffusers. Some help if you please.

The question: What size of tubing-plumbing do I use to plumb the air discs.

My System:

5 Tanks are 34" deep - 3 x 6 approx 220+ gallons each - they vary in size.

Danner Air pump. Pondmaster Air Pump - 2900 cu. in. per Minute - AP 40 5/8" ID outlet. see attached file.

12" EDPM disc diffusers. They are suppose to not clog as much.  SSI-AFD270(9")-EPDM Membrane Disc 270mm O.D. 3/4" MNPT Nipple connection  from SSI. Buy from here www.aerationstore.com only $20

So the pump has a 5/8" outlet and the Disc is 3/4" Should I go to a smaller hose to the diffusers or use 5/8" from the pump?

I want to run air to the 5 tanks.  I may have to add another pump to do all of them later. 

[Nate Storey]

It shouldn't matter too much. Either way will work. Usually when I'm in a situation where either of two methods could work, I take the cheapest one. . . : )

[M Cosmo]

Well I installed the air. I went with 1/2" ID clear vinyl tubing all the way to the discs. It too two bricks to hold them down. If they both are on the bottom they work great. When one is a little higher than the other then only one works. So I am running two Discs at this point - one in each complete tank. I can't believe how much air comes out. I will take more pics tomorrow. I also added a movie.

[Chris Smith]

I have a much cheaper alternative to the air disks and air stones. I have plumbed my pondmaster pump to black porous drip irrigation hose that is available at any garden center. I have had to weight down the hose to keep it on the bottom. The advantage is I now have a continuous and even curtain of very small bubbles around the perimeter of my tank. The rising bubbles along the edge of the tank causes the water to rise with the bubbles and sink in the middle, which causes a great whirling of the water that I did not get with airs tones. I have been amazed by how consistent the bubble screen is. There are no spots that give more bubbles than others. The hose cost $15 for 50 feet and can be cut and shaped to any contour.
Aloha,
Chris

[Nate Storey]

Wow, that's a great idea Chris. I've used PVC that I've drilled small holes in (holes on the bottom so the water blows out) but not that drip tape- is it drip tape or soaker/seeping hose (poly or rubber?). Do you have any problems with water filling the hose over time?

Chris Smith said:

I have a much cheaper alternative to the air disks and air stones. I have plumbed my pondmaster pump to black porous drip irrigation hose that is available at any garden center. I have had to weight down the hose to keep it on the bottom. The advantage is I now have a continuous and even curtain of very small bubbles around the perimeter of my tank. The rising bubbles along the edge of the tank causes the water to rise with the bubbles and sink in the middle, which causes a great whirling of the water that I did not get with airs tones. I have been amazed by how consistent the bubble screen is. There are no spots that give more bubbles than others. The hose cost $15 for 50 feet and can be cut and shaped to any contour.
Aloha,
Chris

[Chris Smith]

the hose is rubber. The air pressure will force out the water when the pump first starts and keeps it out from there on.
Chris

[M Cosmo]

Chris how long have you had this installed?

[M Cosmo]

Well I changed it today. 1/2" pvc to ball valves. Then I went to 1/2" soft vinyl to the diffusion discs. This gives me a lot more control I can adjust and turn them off while I feed if I wish.

[Chris Smith]

It has been going for several months. There have been a couple of power outages where the hose filled up with water. When the power came on the air forced the water out. It takes about 5 min to get all the water out. I am still holding onto my air stones just in case.
Chris

Michael Cosmo said:

Chris how long have you had this installed?

[Earl ward]

great tip thanks going to give it a try

Chris Smith said:

I have a much cheaper alternative to the air disks and air stones. I have plumbed my pondmaster pump to black porous drip irrigation hose that is available at any garden center. I have had to weight down the hose to keep it on the bottom. The advantage is I now have a continuous and even curtain of very small bubbles around the perimeter of my tank. The rising bubbles along the edge of the tank causes the water to rise with the bubbles and sink in the middle, which causes a great whirling of the water that I did not get with airs tones. I have been amazed by how consistent the bubble screen is. There are no spots that give more bubbles than others. The hose cost $15 for 50 feet and can be cut and shaped to any contour.
Aloha,
Chris

[Robert Davenport]

just curious , how many pounds of fish will this support . literally how do you know what kind of pump to spec ? my tank will be 450 gallons SS tank

 

[Chris Smith]

I took the soaker hose out of the system about a year ago. It took too much pressure to push through the hose and it would clog up after time. I went back to AE air stones and now get much higher DO readings. The air stones produce medium bubbles and move more water which breaks poo down faster.

[Oscar Olivera]

Can I see a photo of this,

Thanks

Chris Smith said:

I have a much cheaper alternative to the air disks and air stones. I have plumbed my pondmaster pump to black porous drip irrigation hose that is available at any garden center. I have had to weight down the hose to keep it on the bottom. The advantage is I now have a continuous and even curtain of very small bubbles around the perimeter of my tank. The rising bubbles along the edge of the tank causes the water to rise with the bubbles and sink in the middle, which causes a great whirling of the water that I did not get with airs tones. I have been amazed by how consistent the bubble screen is. There are no spots that give more bubbles than others. The hose cost $15 for 50 feet and can be cut and shaped to any contour.
Aloha,
Chris