Question - Dolphin AV-150 Aerator

[JosephandGabby]

I recently purchased a Dolphin AV-150 pond aerator pump. The aerator itself works great; however, I have a problem. The black piece which attaches to my individual air tubes has approximately 20 connectors (to accommidate approximately 20 air tubes). Since I am only using a total of 6 air tubes, this leaves approximately 20 air tube connectors unused. The problem I'm having is that air is not being pushed into these tubes unless I manually plug all unused connectors. I've tried plugging these usused connectors using duct tape and elecrical tape, but alas, this was not successful. I know several of you use this same aerator. Any suggestions would be much appreciaciated!

[CarolinaGirl]

If you want to use that air distributor thingy, take a short piece of air line and attach each end to one of the holes. so one short piece of line plugs 2 holes. Make sense? It works great. But if you are only using 6 of those holes, you are probably putting too much back pressure on the air pump. the little 1/4" air line doesn't handle much of the air that pump can provide. A better solution is to make a air header with a piece of PVC and some tees and use larger air line and larger air stones....like the big stones that aquatic eco systems sells.

[Steve Nguyen]

the best way to plug the unused ports is to cut a 2" long air tube and plug each ends into the unused ports. it's simple but extremely effective solution.

Steve

[JosephandGabby]

CarolinaGirl, I like you idea -- but how would I connect this to the pump?

[CarolinaGirl]

the PVC header? Easy. You know that little black sleeve that came with the pump? It connects the pump to that plastic header thingy they sent you. Just take the plastic header out and get a piece of PVC that will fit in it. I am pretty sure 3/4" PVC fits great. So attach your header to the air pump, and attach flexible plastic hose to each out let on the header. Lowes sells a really cheap, clear flexible hose that you can fit over the end of the PVC pipe and attach it with a hose clamp.

[CarolinaGirl]

Another thing to keep in mind. I don't know if all 6 lines are going into the same tank or pond...but remember air likes to take the easiest route. If you have a shallow pond and a deep one with an air line going to each, you will have to install a valve on the line going to the shallow one so you can limit how much air goes there. Otherwise, most of the air will go to the shallow pond and almost none will go to the deep one.

[JosephandGabby]

Have any pics of your setup?