[kerbchek]

I'm in the process of designing a fish room... I have a bunch of canisters and HOB filters... but will also be adding some more breeding tanks and fry grow-out tanks... so I will probably be using a bunch of sponge filters (plus I have a bunch I'll need to start using)

I'm using some now, but am using small individual pumps, I like the sponges for the fry tanks... but now I want to get a linear air pump.

I'm looking at a few on-line suppliers, e-bay, local shops and get confused and would appreciate more advice from others on what might be the best air pump to get. I could use a blower, but aren't they kind of loud?

I think I want one big enough to run about 25 or so outlets (for future expansion). My biggest tank I would use one in, i would use an ATI 80 sponge and it would be a 100 gallon or my 135. I have other filteration but if I had a blower or linear air pump plumbed in, I might add a sponge to one or both of those tanks as well (I'd hide it behind a big piece of driftwood or something...)

Any good ideas and what to look for?

I've seen info about watts, PSI, LPM, CFM - some have a PSI of 2.9, but an LPM of .96, while another one has while others have a 2.8 PSI with an LPM of 48... so these numbers make no sense to me, what is it that I'm really looking for when comparing one pump to another?

Thanks!!!

 

[famikert]

Try Jehmco.com, I have 3 linear pumps from them and they are the best

 

[nick a]

Agree 100%. Extremely durable and VERY quiet. Jehmco has all the x LPH @ x psi kinda numbers---but they also give you a rating on how many outlets per (which is the only thing I really understand :lol: ) Talk to John & describe your system/requirements & he'll help you select the correct model.

 

[kornphlake]

LPM (liters per minute) or CFM (cubic feet per minute) is the volume of air the pump will output, if you have more outlets you need more volume of air. PSI (pounds per square inch) is the pressure of the air, which is independant of the volume, more PSI will let you push air to the bottom of a very deep tank. You may already understand that but it wasn't clear in the original post. I'm not sure what CFM or psi would be suitable for your needs, you'd have to consult with one of the manufacturers to get that information. I'd suggest getting a slightly larger pump than you think you'll need. Most equipment manufacturers will overstate the capability of their equipment, I wouldn't go crazy overkill but a little overhead is a good idea.

 

[kerbchek]

Thanks to all of you who submitted advice, I'll look in to Jehmco... also thanks kornphlake, because you're respons is really what I was looking for... I understood PSI, being Pounds per Square Inch, but didn't understand really what that meant...