I'm renovating my grow and thought this air pump would be perfect. ActiveAqua Commercial Air Pump So I take it out and play with it. Plug it in and I'm impressed with the air pressure and volume of air. It's also relatively quiet. My trouble is that this thing stinks up the whole room in minutes. It smells like fresh tires in my bedroom right now. It is only at this time I look at the manual. I find this picture of the pump properly installed above the aquarium. As if to say, "Do not use around the living". You can see it in this pdf. http://www.horticulturesource.com/pdfs/11810_AA Compressors2.pdf What do I do? this thing smells not only stronger, but much worse than my grow. I think I might have bought too much air pump for my small grow.
Some produce an odor during their first use until they warm up, others don't take very kindly to being used without some amount of resistance, ie. being submerged under sufficient quantities of water for the power of the pump, and they run too hot, and burn out components in the motor. The reason you should run air pumps above the level of the water, is so that in case of power outages (or other unforeseen events), the water isn't rushed backwards into the machine, destroying its inner components when the pressure is suddenly released. Using a check valve on each hose leading into the machine can prevent this, and allow you more freedom with your placement, meaning you can more safely situate it below (but still not in, lol ) the level of the water.
I know it's supposed to be above the water level. What's stumping me is the picture in the instructions where the pump is above the water level in an aquarium in a Japanese restaurant, and it's got a big X through it as if to say not to use it with living organisms or don't use if you plan to consume the product. It text of the instructions never refer to that image they way it does with all the other images. CLick on the pdf link above and see what I'm talking about. What would you think sufficient amount of water would be for this pump? It moves 45 liters per minute @ >.02 MPa (3 PSI). I'm only running (4) 3 gallon containers, plus (2) 1.3 gallons, plus (1) .75 gallon cloner. I think I bought way too much pump for my needs. I'm going to try and trade down for another one. I wish I needed this air pump. I think it would run a 4K system.
I'd like to quote from the "Using Range" section if I may: "It's used for planting aquarium plant, aerating for seafood hotels, restaurants, seafood booth, and feeding pool, etc. It's also used for air supply spare parts of food machine, bathing pool, medical instrument, belching paint, making and designing advertising lamp..." I not good speaking engrish
I do not understand what "belching paint, making and designing advertising lamp..." means. But I'm really glad this thing can do it.
The image in question says "don't be a dumb ass and install this pimp over the water tank on a rickety shelf where it can fall in and electrocute your fish/ruin the pump". Or you could read item "10" under safety.
Alright, that makes sense. Thanks. Now I don't feel so badly. The fresh tire smell has dissipated as well.