Linear Air Pumps VS All the Rest.

[greenwithenvy]

I think alita is the brand that Under Current uses. SLS just introduced a new one this year as well. My question is whats the difference between Linear Air Pump and a commercial air 5. Both are sweet pumps. I think the commercial air 5 is a compressor style and the linear is something else. Someone knows this answer. Thanks

 

[greenwithenvy]

I have a commercial air 5 the info for it is. Commercial Air 5 - 80 watts Single outlet - 3/8in Tubing 88 liters per minute 4.2 PSI

I just bought a Air Force Pro Linear 60. Here is the info on it.
Model 60
Voltage: 120 V
Frequency: 60Hz
Rated Pressure: 2.1 PSI
Airflow: 68 LPM
Amperage: 1.7 A

Should I keep the Commercial 5 and take back the Linear?

 

[greenwithenvy]

Bump

 

[Jhhnn]

Dunno about either of those pumps, but Medo linear piston pumps are regarded as the best, period, among aquarists & Koi fanciers. They'll run 5-7 years continuously, and are usually changed out because the owner is afraid of failure, not because they failed at all. Different models are also used in medical devices of all sorts. If you're willing to pay for the best, Medo is it.

Read up, they explain their linear piston design pretty well.

http://medousa.com/

 

[overbudjet]

In wich system do you wan to run them if i may ask?

 

[greenwithenvy]

I'm running in a 6 site UC. I did read that they run on very low pressure. I hooked it up and it's way more powerful the commercial 5. I still don't know how they work but they definitely work.

 

[Inspired333]

*deep breath*

*deep breath*

I'm running in a 6 site UC. I did read that they run on very low pressure. I hooked it up and it's way more powerful the commercial 5. I still don't know how they work but they definitely work.

Hey man, we're in, or I hope to be in, the same boat soon.
I'm plannig a 4 site (diy) UC.

So, do you mean you have a pre-fab 6 site UC, and what are you saying is more powerful than your ecoplus commercial 5? This is the EXACT pump I was almost 100% sure I was gonna buy. Not anymore.

Ok. I've spent a lot of time researching air pumps before and recently.
CCh20 use multiple brands of air pumps depending on the system you buy.
They have used, and do use; Air Force Pro, Alita, Pondmaster AP, Hakko. I think the new Sunlight Supply Air Force Pro might have replaced the Pondmaster. Some of what I'm saying comes from calling pond/aquarium/hydro shops companies and asking to talk with THEE GUY who knows pumps and picking their brains

The difference between the Linears (that you're talking about) and the commercial syle ecoplus you have is that the ecoplus uses a piston (which I don't think is even metal) to create its air, whereas the Linear pumps in question produce air using a rubber diaphragm which can be replaced.
Diaphragm pumps run cooler, quieter for sure. I think they run smoother maybe too, like more consistent pressure and output. One vendor described the Ecoplus commercial pumps as "throw away" pumps. If ya follow that.

Anyways, don't buy a Medo - It's beyond what any of us need that. Ive read about em, I'm sure they're amazing. End of story.

I have the Alita AL-15 (20L/min) and man is it a quality air pump. Quiet, powerful, consistent air. But not enough for what I'm planning. Supposed to have very durable diaphragms.
New diaphragms are about $25-$35.

Air force pro are relatively new from what I understand. They are very similar to alita I think, well built. I know they use a solid(?) aluminum housing and not much more. Fairly expensive diaphragm kit, similar to Alita I think. Supposedly good quality pump. No real life experience with them.

Pondmaster, which is what I'm thinking I'll buy, is probably the most economical choice price and quality. There are lots of review around on the AP-40, AP-60 and AP-100. The AP-100 put out 148 L/Min !!! And it can be bought for I think $150.00 ish. That's crazy power man. I like the AP-60; 90 L/min, max psi is I think 5.8 or close.
And the diaphragm kits for the Pondmaster's are dirt cheap, seriously about $8 to $10 and you have a new diaphragm/pump.

Oh and another difference in the Alita and the Pondmasters (and maybe the AFP and some other diaphragm) is the internals of Alita like where the diaphragm sits is metal, not plastic.

I don't care. I think the Pondmaster is the best choice for value. If not, I'd probably get an Alita because I know they're good cause I own one. Alita is similar price to AFP. But shop around. I can link some vendors too if you want.

One other thing to consider is Watts used, and heat. Watts used is pretty similar between similar L/min outputs between brands though.

Hope some of that helps dude. PS - your avatar pic is cool man.
Oh shit - BTW, since you OWN one - how do you like the ecoplus commercial air 5? How hot? How many buckets/air stones per bucket are you running.

Peace.

 

[overbudjet]

I'm running in a 6 site UC. I did read that they run on very low pressure. I hooked it up and it's way more powerful the commercial 5. I still don't know how they work but they definitely work.

Did you ever try water fall?I also use UC and i have switch to it ,never look back since.Less noise/heat transfer to water .5 feets fall on volcanic rock .

 

[Inspired333]

Did you ever try water fall?I also use UC and i have switch to it ,never look back since.Less noise/heat transfer to water .5 feets fall on volcanic rock .
[URL=https://www.icmag.com/ic/picture.php?albumid=42986&pictureid=1041928&thumb=1]View Image[/url] [URL=https://www.icmag.com/ic/picture.php?albumid=42986&pictureid=1041927&thumb=1]View Image[/url]

Dude, what's going on in that picture? That's cool. But are you saying that's a .5 foot fall, in other words "half of 1 foot"? Or is it a 5 foot fall?!
It looks like a 5 foot fall through 4 inch pvc onto lava rock! What kinda pump and all that, and how?