Re: [Killietalk] Blower info

[Ken Simolo <Simolo at chem_chem.rochester.edu>]

Go with a linear piston pump - this is one of the easiest to answer 
questions I have heard!  There really are no down sides to the linear 
pumps.  When I researched this, even if I got a blower for free, the 
energy savings of the linear piston pump would pay for itself in just 
a few years as compared to a small blower.  Then there are all the 
pluses that everyone mentioned including quiet and reliable.  I have 
been in fish rooms with blowers and the blower does make more noise 
than just the air filters.

I bought the model 120 from Jehmco because I  wanted excess capacity 
(Jim recommended the next size smaller).  I am running air filters in 
~130  tanks ranging from 2.5 gallons to 30 gallons as well as several 
55 gallon trash can reservoirs and a 3' deep 550 gallon reservoir 
with a 10" diameter air stone bubbling like mad and I still have 
plenty of excess air!  I do vent some excess air into another room 
because I found the pump ran much cooler by doing this so that shows 
Jim's recommendation was correct for the number of tanks I currently 
have.  But I will be adding more 30 gallon tanks and may need the 
extra capacity then.

There are large linear diaphragm pumps out there (made by Gast, etc.) 
that make some short term sense since they are reasonably quiet (not 
as quiet as a linear piston pump but much quieter than even a small 
diaphragm pump),  low in energy consumption, and a little cheaper 
than a linear piston pump.  However, they might need to have the 
diaphragms replaced every 3 - 4 years and they are a little noisier 
than the linear piston pumps so go with the linear piston pumps.

Ken

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