Air pump

[HMD]

Ok help. I am going to a central air supply for my sponge filters will need to do about 50. Thinking of the altra linear? what size do I need?
O buy the way if anybody has one that will work let me know.

HMD (Dennis)

[jcunningham0295]

I would go with an Al-60 at a minimum.  Could use an AL-80 and add a bleeder valve at the front to bleed off excess air.  This would allow you to expand in the future as well.

[Stan M.]

X 2 on that.

[mibwb]

Always go for more than you need..
One pump is better then running multiples.....but don't be quick to toss the ones you're replacing....you never know....the old saying "never put all your eggs in one basket or rely on one pump running everything never puking"   

[HMD]

ok thanks to all.  I have several running now it's a cob web!!!!! Looks like Ken will get some more $$$ from me. at least I got some of the valves Thanks Stan.

HMD (Dennis)

[danielratti]

Screw kens go through jemco.  Ken will just say he has it and you will not get it for a few months

[HMD]

well for $60.00 I will wait I guess. Not a must have at this time.

HMD (Dennis)

[Regalblue]

Go with the 80... my 60 runs 44 valves & sometimes they need adjusting.

[Ron]

I'm now running a LPH80 from Jehmco. Works great. I'm running 46 drops, one of those straight to atmosphere, another 8-10 into sponges/box filters in 24"-26" deep tanks, and have 3 on a long run up to my living room tank as well. Lots of air let yet.

In addition to the pump, plan out running the PVC supply lines of a sufficient diameter and without dead ends to best utilize the air supplied.

[HMD]

What size pvc do you guys think I should use?

HMD (Dennis)

[Ron]

Volume and pressure are the two main factors. Too small of a pipe and you can maintain pressure, but not supply volume. Too large and you can achieve volume, but perhaps cannot maintain pressure.

IMO, for 50 drops, 3/4" or 1" depending on distribution of the T's. Closer together or shorter run, go with a larger pipe IMO.

Distribution of the T's matters. I have 3/4" pipe (originally sized it for a smaller pump) and run nearly all of my T's wide open (max airflow). If I run 10 T's, each 6" apart, I have no issues. If I were to run 10 2" apart, I cannot maintain the same output pressure across all T's without fiddling with them.