Almost all inhabitants of the aquarium are extremely sensitive to the amount of oxygen and temperature conditions of the aquatic environment. In natural biotopes, their balance is maintained by nature itself, and in a limited space, solving the problem of organizing a certain microclimate is assigned to special equipment. An aquarium compressor (aerator) is a device that pumps air through a hose into a sprayer and thereby aerates the water of an artificial reservoir. In addition to its direct purpose, it simultaneously ensures mixing of layers of water with different temperatures and contributes to its equalization. The aesthetic effect is also important, because air bubbles significantly diversify the landscape of the aquarium.
Photo: https://cadiali.ru
AQUAEL Fan 2 plus
Photo: https://beru.ru
The leader of the rating was the multifunctional model of the popular Polish brand, which produces the best internal filters for aquariums. The device consists of two parts - a plastic flask with a large-pored sponge and a head with aeration intensity regulator. With a power of 5.2 W it can purify water at a speed of 450 l/h. To install the pump, just put the air supply hose on the plastic sleeve, assemble the mount with strong suction cups and fix it on the wall. The filter is designed to purify water from food residues and waste from the inhabitants of an aquarium with a volume of up to 150 liters. Due to the large pores, a hard foam sponge will have to be washed no more than once every 7-10 days.
Filter AQUAEL Fan 2 plus
Advantages:
- easy assembly
- good service
- decent cleaning
- sponge filters can be changed
- silent
Flaws:
- poor insulation of the power cord
- reduces the usable area of the aquarium
Manufacturers of aquarium aerators
The list of popular brands changes only internally; every month any of the five most recognizable companies becomes the leader. You can buy compressors from these companies without hesitation. At the beginning of the 2021 quarter, the TOP 5 looked like this.
- Aquael (Poland). For more than thirty years, the company has been creating products for the aquarium hobby, constantly expanding its range, inventing new components and devices. This is undeniable quality that meets European standards. The products are certified and offer functionality.
- Tetra (Germany). Founded 60 years ago, the company has absorbed the best experience of leaders. It produces aquatic equipment, fish food, and underwater accessories. “Underwater - ahead of everyone” is the motto of the ambitious company.
- Schego (Germany). The company creates various hydraulic engineering, even medical equipment. It is assembled and tested at a factory in Germany. The products are famous for their German quality, the manufacturer provides a guarantee.
- Eheim (Germany). This year will celebrate the 70th anniversary of its founding. The company has the longest line of aqua accessories. The whole world uses the products of this manufacturer. Every year they produce more and more advanced products for aqua worlds.
- Hydor (Italy). The most famous brand of exclusive products for home aquariums. The company, established in 1984, quickly achieved decent results in the water market in the country and gained popularity in Europe and the world. Italian hydraulic products - reliability, safety, uniqueness.
Tetra EX 600 plus
Photo: https://beru.ru
The German brand's water filter is easy to maintain and silent in operation. During circulation, the liquid enters the pump from a hose with a cross-section of 12 mm and passes through 3 compartments with filter elements. A synthetic padding pad and a large-pored sponge are responsible for mechanical cleaning. For biological – finely porous balls and ceramic rings. And for chemical - activated carbon. After filtration, the water is returned through a second hose on the cover of the 8-watt rotary motor. The model became the leader in the rating of external filters for aquariums due to its high degree of cleaning and ease of maintenance - if the throughput of the sponges decreases, you can wash them or buy new ones. The advantages include a good price-quality ratio. But the declared productivity of 630 l/h is only relevant for idling. In operating mode, after installing filters and hoses, the throughput does not exceed 360 l/h.
Filter Tetra EX 600 plus
Advantages:
- 3 types of cleaning
- low electricity consumption
- filter elements can be changed step by step
- convenient design
Flaws:
- actual performance is lower than stated
- no aeration
Aerator maintenance
In order for the compressor to perform all its declared functions efficiently and meet the parameters, you need to properly care for it, understand the principle of operation and carry out the necessary preventive work on time.
- As the device operates, the membranes can wear down, break, and filters become dirty. Air filters and rubber membranes need to be changed in a timely manner.
- The tubes periodically become clogged with suspensions, preventing oxygen from reaching the water. If you find a weak flow, few or no bubbles, immediately clean it.
- Sometimes crustacean inhabitants damage the hoses with their claws. You need to have spare ones on hand (not just hoses).
- In case the main aerator breaks down, there is a power outage, or the underwater world is transported to another place, it is advisable to have a spare mobile mini-compressor (battery-powered).
AQUAEL Versamax 1
Photo: https://beru.ru
A mounted filter is the golden mean for a small aquarium: it is affordable, does not take up space like an internal one, cleans well from debris and saturates the water with oxygen. Known among professionals as a backpack or waterfall. AQUAEL Versamax 1 entered the top filters for mounted aquariums due to its efficiency. A 7.2 W pump will provide high-quality filtration at a speed of 500 l/h. The model is suitable for marine aquariums from 20 to 100 liters. In order for the water intake tube to better collect debris from the bottom, it can be extended using attachments to the desired depth. Under the lid there are two collapsible canisters with replaceable sponges, which can be washed or replaced with analogues from other manufacturers. After cleaning, the water returns to the aquarium through a special spout, saturated with oxygen.
Filter AQUAEL Versamax 1
Advantages:
- filters from other companies are suitable
- high performance
- need to be washed once every 2-3 weeks
Flaws:
- liquid cannot be completely drained
Why is aeration needed?
Under natural conditions, water is saturated with oxygen by algae and contact of the surface with air. A small home “pond” cannot boast of this, so its inhabitants will need help. To ensure that the concentration of the volatile chemical is uniform and optimal, artificial convection is required. This mixing with the help of a small pumping station that supplies air to the aquarium is called aeration.
Why circulation is needed:
- uniform oxygen saturation;
- there is no stagnation of water, it is identical in every corner;
- the temperature is equalized across layers and corners.
The bubbles that rise to the top burst, destroying the dust and bacterial film that constantly appears on the surface of the water. In addition to important vital signs for fish, aeration has a decorative function: a bubble elevator decorates the underwater world, pleasing the eye, moving plants, forcing the inhabitants to move more actively. As a result, the load on the device is very responsible and significant: the health of the inhabitants of the biotelevision and the beauty of the hydroworld will only benefit from the presence of this installation in it. And it’s easier to care for such a reservoir: the space becomes cleaner, fish and plants live longer, and algae rotting processes do not occur.
It remains to understand how to choose a device for aeration in the home aqua world. There are, of course, certain species of marine fauna that stick out and breathe the same air as we do (pearl gourami, some types of catfish), but these are exceptions. Whether to do without a compressor or not is determined by several factors:
- Volume of water and its population. Three goldfish in 200 liters of liquid will have enough oxygen without a blower; in a small 50 liter pool they critically need an aerator. There are “capricious” fish, such as cichlids, that can’t live without an air lift.
- Flow. If the internal filter creates surface movement of water, it is well saturated with oxygen (the stronger the current and the larger the area of moving water) - no additional devices are required.
- Temperature. Cold water has higher oxygen levels than warm water. If the aquarium contains tropical inhabitants that require warm water, it will be difficult without a compressor.
- Seaweed. Any plants produce oxygen only when there is light. At night there will not be enough oxygen in dense thickets. An aerator is especially needed at night.
- Fish behavior. If your hydrobionts try to swim on the surface, try to swallow air by sticking their noses out - this is oxygen starvation - a pumping station is necessary.
Eheim Classic 350
Photo: https://beru.ru
The time-tested external aqua filter of the German brand is designed for marine and freshwater aquariums with a volume of up to 350 liters. With a pump power of 15 W, it purifies water at a speed of 620 l/h. The flask made of durable plastic, closed with a sealed lid, contains an aquarium filtration system with sponges and activated carbon. The advantages of the model are compatibility with components from other manufacturers and a well-thought-out design that efficiently cleans the liquid from impurities, suspended matter and chlorine. The biggest drawback is that it requires care when disconnecting and flushing: water remains in the tubes and canister, which can spill out when disconnecting and opening the tap.
Filter Eheim Classic 350
Advantages:
- universal
- productive
- thick hoses
- can be hidden in a cabinet
Flaws:
- Expensive
- noisy
Tetra IN 300 plus
Photo: https://beru.ru
The compact filter is designed to clean the smallest aquariums with a volume of 10 to 40 liters. The translucent body can be secured to a vertical wall using a single, but powerful suction cup. At the top of the head cover there is a tube for air intake, below there is a rotary nozzle for supplying purified and oxygenated water. Below the nozzle there is a power and flow rate regulator. The liquid enters the double cartridge with separate filters through the water intake holes, is cleaned and returned through the spout. To clean the filter sponges, simply unfasten the cartridge without removing the supporting body from the walls. Despite the small size and low power of the 5-watt rotor, the device has a fairly high productivity of 150-300 l/h.
Filter Tetra IN 300 plus
Advantages:
- powerful
- translucent plastic body
- simple power regulator
- for the smallest aquariums
Flaws:
- not suitable for round vessels
- small installation depth
What you need to know about an aquarium compressor
Types and types
According to the operating diagram, installations are divided into piston and membrane.
| Piston | Membrane | |
| Power | good | low-power |
| Price | high | lower than piston ones at equal power |
| Application | any container | volume up to 200 liters |
| Noisiness | low noise level | vibration noisy |
Most household aerators are vibrating; their physics is based on working with an alternating magnetic field. The vibrations of the magnet are transmitted to the membrane, which regulates the air flow. This operating principle is not silent. Manufacturers are working to reduce noise, which increases the price of the product.
Piston units are powered by an electric motor; they are powerful and quiet. But the profitability of the design is low, because it is relatively expensive.
There are mobile devices that run on batteries. They are necessary when moving fish or the entire tank. Sometimes this type of aerator saves the underwater world in the absence of electricity. This type can be vibration or piston. On average, the unit operates on batteries for 4-6 hours.
There are also internal and external types of aerators. External ones can be installed under the container, behind it, so as not to spoil the “seascape”. The internal ones are placed on the bottom or wall of the aquarium - the noise disappears.
Power
The main point of choice is performance. For an air blower, this is the amount of air pumped (liters) per hour. The minimum rate (without biofiltration) is 0.5 - 0.7 l/h per 1 liter of water. For a 100-liter reservoir it will be 50 l/hour. A 200 l tank can be equipped with a more powerful device - 200 l/h.
Pay attention to the air supply adjustment and supply method. NOT all models have a flow control screw. A more progressive option: adjustment occurs automatically when productivity changes. Models with electronic installations are available.
Noisiness
The audibility of the compressor depends on the design and build quality. For an apartment, the tolerable noise level will be the rustling of leaves - up to 15 decibels. Noise pollution up to 40 dB is considered relatively quiet (clock ticking).
The loudest, according to reviews from owners, are devices made in China.
There is a pattern: the quieter the aerator, the more expensive it is. In this matter, everyone has their own priorities. If your fish live in the living room rather than the bedroom, you can deal with some noise by choosing a product at a more comfortable price.
AQUAEL PAT mini
Photo: https://beru.ru
The miniature model is very similar in operating principle and design to the AQUAEL Fan series and is intended for small freshwater aquariums with a volume of 10–20 liters. The main difference is that there is no cartridge for a large-pored sponge, which improves the quality of cleaning, and the productivity reaches 400 l/h. You can adjust the throughput and power of the jet using the regulator plug on the aquafilter head cover. There is a bracket with suction cups for fixing to the wall, and to maintain the oxygen concentration in the water, you can use a tube with a control valve. The standard sponge can be replaced with one impregnated with activated carbon, which will provide chemical cleaning.
Filter AQUAEL PAT mini
Advantages:
- powerful
- there is a flow regulator and a nozzle for choosing the direction of the jet
- you can use any sponge
Flaws:
- appearance
Tetra Brillant
Photo: https://beru.ru
The filter only works when connected to a compressor, so it is very cheap. To do this, there is a plastic sleeve at the lower end of the tube. When turned on, liquid will be pumped into the hose through the filter sponge, and after cleaning, it will flow out in a thin stream through the upper outlet. The advantages of the device include ease of use, the disadvantage is the unreasonable price for a small filter, two suction cups and a tube.
Tetra Brillant filter
Advantages:
- the filter is easy to wash
- suitable for aeration
- safe for fry, shrimp
Flaws:
- high price for compressor nozzle
- does not purify water well
Oase BioPlus 200 Thermo
Photo: https://beru.ru
A multifunctional filter system from a German brand that will not only purify water, maintaining a healthy ecosystem, but also heat it. At the top of the lid there is a regulator for adjusting the power of the water jet. By unscrewing the plug, you can install a heating element with a scale for selecting the temperature. The modular system simplifies maintenance - to wash, just snap off the cartridge, disconnect the tiers and remove the sponges. The filter is installed in a corner, so it will remain invisible and will not spoil the landscape of a 200-liter aquarium.
Internal filter Oase BioPlus Thermo 200
Advantages:
- aeration and water heating function
- modular cartridge
- fine adjustment of temperature and jet power
Flaws:
- high price
Why is it needed?
Inexperienced owners are confident that the amount of oxygen released by plants is sufficient for a comfortable life for the inhabitants. Algae produce O2, but in small quantities, which is not enough for large-volume containers.
The formation of the aquatic ecosystem is negatively affected by:
- fish excrement;
- rotten particles of food at the bottom;
- lack of oxygen has a bad effect on the formation of the aquatic ecosystem.
Exotic fish species are picky about their living conditions, so the lack of sufficient air can lead to illness or even death. Also, standing water is subject to the formation of a film on its surface. The air flows supplied by the compressor enrich the tank with oxygen, which is necessary for the healthy development of the inhabitants. This process is called aeration (supplying air into the aquarium). All water layers are mixed together, so the reservoir does not look like a swamp.
Sera L 60
Photo: https://beru.ru
An airlift filter for purifying water in an aquarium with freshwater and marine fish has a low capacity - only 60 l/h. Like Tetra, Brillant operates from a compressor and is suitable for saturating water in a container with fry with air.
Filter Sera L 60
Advantages:
- suitable for any type of aquarium
- low price
Flaws:
- compressor required
How to install
You can easily install the pump in the aquarium if you follow the instructions. The mechanism must be placed on a shelf near the tank. If it is not available, attach the device directly to the wall of the aquarium using suction cups. The mechanism must be installed in such a way that the sprayer and check valve can touch the bottom of the container or be closer to it.
Some aerators run on alkaline batteries, but most are powered by a current source, so the device must be installed closer to an outlet.
The sprayer must be attached to the wall of the aquarium or to its bottom. This is done using suction cups. Then attach the tube to the sprayer and compressor.
JBL CristalProfi e902 greenline
Photo: https://beru.ru
The ranking of the best aerators for aquariums is completed by the most expensive model with a pre-filter and a three-stage cleaning system. Compared to the Eheim Classic 350, the rotor power is significantly less - only 11 W, but the productivity is almost 1.5 times higher - 900 l/h. The aquafilter also outperforms its analogues in terms of the volume of filter elements - 4.7 liters. Before starting the system, the manufacturer recommends installing 3 canisters, filter sponges, and ceramic cartridges into the housing. Strong latches securely fix the aquafilter head, guaranteeing complete tightness. To quickly start, just pump the water by pressing the button on the lid 3-4 times.
Filter JBL CristalProfi e702 greenline
Advantages:
- high power with low electricity consumption
- good filtration quality
- comfortable, durable latches
- absolutely silent
Flaws:
- Expensive
- no heating function
Our rating is coming to an end, then the choice of device is up to you. Good luck!
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