Installing an air pump for your fish tanks not only makes it more appealing to look at but also provides oxygen for the fish. However, do you know how to choose the right air pump? Do you know where to buy one?
This post will answer these questions through a complete guide on the best aquarium air pump for multiple tanks.
Here are the best aquarium air pumps for multiple tanks you can buy in 2024:
- Best Overall: Tetra Whisper Easy to Use Air Pump for Aquariums
- Powerful: VIVOSUN 317-1750GPH
- Best For Small Tanks: Uniclife Aquarium Air Pump
- Best For Large Aquariums: hygger 10W Powerful Aquarium Air Pump
- Quiet For Living Rooms: Pawfly 160 GPH Aquarium Air Pump 4 Outlets
- Best For Hydroponics System: VIVOSUN 332 GPH Air Pump
6 Best Aquarium Air Pumps For Multiple Tanks | ||
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Best Overall | Tetra Whisper Easy to Use Air Pump for Aquariums | |
Powerful | VIVOSUN 317-1750GPH | |
Best For Small Tanks | Uniclife Aquarium Air Pump | |
Best For Large Aquariums | hygger 10W Powerful Aquarium Air Pump | |
Quiet For Living Rooms | Pawfly 160 GPH Aquarium Air Pump 4 Outlets | |
Best For Hydroponics System | VIVOSUN 332 GPH Air Pump |
Best Overall: Tetra Whisper Easy to Use Air Pump for Aquariums
- Very affordable
- Reduce vibration noises efficiently - Rubber feet, sound-dampening chambers, suspended motor, and a patented dome shape
- Allow you to keep tracking the air pump – provide Tetra My Aquarium app
- The two sides of the case vibrate together a little bit
The Tetra Whisper might not be the quietest but it is inexpensive, efficient, and quiet enough for the price.
It does emit an audible low hum when you're nearby but not cause other things in our tank to vibrate loudly. That is a big thank you to the patented dome shape, rubber shock mounts, sound-dampening chambers, and suspended motor.
For more versatile use, it is built with two air outlets.
Tetra also allows you to keep track of your air pump by using their app, called Tetra My Aquarium. This app also lets you set helpful reminders as well as simplify water care.
Tetra Whisper Easy to Use Air Pump for Aquariums Specifications | |
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Dimension | 3.88 x 2.75 x 5.5 inches |
Recommended Tank Size | 10 gallons |
No of Outlets | 2 |
Highlight Features | Tetra My Aquarium App 2 air outlets Rubber feet Sound-dampening chambers, suspended motor, and a patented dome shape |
The Tetra Whisper isn’t just the cheapest fish tank air pump – it’s one of the best overall aquarium air pumps for multiple tasks you can buy right now.
Powerful: VIVOSUN 317-1750GPH
- Provide an exceptional volume of air and quiet operation
- Versatile - six adjustable valve outlets
- Offer heat dissipation efficiency and long-lasting performance - premium materials and aluminum-alloy heat-radiating plates
- You have to make a stand for it
- The port air distribution valves could be better
This VIVOSUN gives you the best of both worlds - an exceptional volume of air and quiet operation.
It features a 32W electromagnetic motor that can pump 960 gallons per minute – something hard to find at this price range.
The six adjustable valve outlets make it versatile enough to work well for plant roots in a hydroponics system or oxygenating an aquarium. Meanwhile, the premium materials and aluminum-alloy heat-radiating plates enhance the pump’s heat dissipation efficiency as well as long-lasting performance.
For your information, it is backed by a manufacturer’s one-year warranty.
VIVOSUN 317-1750GPH Specifications | |
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Dimension | 8.66 x 5.83 x 4.8 inches |
Max Flow Rate | 960 GPH |
No of Outlets | 6 |
Highlight Features | A 32W electromagnetic motor Six adjustable valve outlets Aluminum-alloy heat-radiating plates 100% copper outlet nozzle and a high-quality aluminum manifold |
It’s not easy to find a powerful yet quiet aquarium air pump that also can handle multiple tasks. That’s why we find this option to be so precious.
Best For Small Tanks: Uniclife Aquarium Air Pump
- Compatible with both marine and freshwater tanks
- Able to fit aquariums sizing 20-100 gallons – two outlets + adjustable flow rate
- Whisper-quiet operation – noise level of 25-45 decibels
- Low power consumption – the power of 4W
- The factory air stones are a bit too big
- The hoses are bulky
You can use this aquarium air pump for both marine and freshwater tanks.
It has two outlets with an adjustable flow rate to be capable of fitting a tank size range of 20 to 100 gallons. At whichever level, it all runs quietly.
The lowest setting only generates 25 decibels which are equivalent to the sound of a ticking watch or rustling leaves while the highest setting emits 45 decibels – still whisper quiet in a 2-square-foot room.
As designed for small tanks, it consumes really little power, around 4 watts, which is also a huge plus.
Uniclife Aquarium Air Pump Specifications | |
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Dimension | 5.1" x 2.8" x 2.5" |
Recommended Tank Size | 20-100 Gallons |
No of Outlets | 2 |
Highlight Features | Dual Outlets + a Smooth rotating dial Noise level of 25-45 decibels Power: 4W |
Finding the best aquarium air pump for small tanks? Look no further!
Best For Large Aquariums: hygger 10W Powerful Aquarium Air Pump
- Wide applications – fit an aquarium sizing om 55-600 gallons, both saltwater and freshwater tanks, up to 6’ depth
- Powerful yet quiet – create 256 GPH, UL-listed & emit only 30dB of noise at the highest level
- Able to run for different sponge filters, protein skimmers, or air stones - two outlets compatible with 3/16” standard airlines
- Pricey
This option only needs 10 watts to capably provide a huge volume of air, up to 256 GPH, UL-listed. Combined with two outlets that are compatible with 3/16” standard airlines, it is multiuse enough to run for different sponge filters, protein skimmers, or air stones.
It’s also able to oxygenate an aquarium with 6’ depth, sizing from 55-600 gallons, both saltwater and freshwater tanks, koi, or hydroponics ponds.
The added rubber suction cups and baffle chamber, meanwhile, helps reduce operating noises to the minimum. Even at the highest setting, it only emits 30dB of noise, which is incredible.
hygger 10W Powerful Aquarium Air Pump Specifications | |
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Dimension | 7.5 x 5.1 x 3.9 inches |
Max Flow Rate | 256 gph |
Recommended Tank Size | 55-600 Gallon Tank |
No of Outlets | 2 |
Highlight Features | Weighs 2.5 pounds & measures 7.5 x 5.1 x 3.9 inches 2 outlets fit for 3/16” standard airline tubing Rubber suction cups & Baffle chamber Provide about 256 GPH, UL-Listed |
For the price and performance, we recommend buying the hygger 10W Powerful Aquarium Air Pump instead of anything else for your large aquarium.
Quiet For Living Rooms: Pawfly 160 GPH Aquarium Air Pump 4 Outlets
- Ideal for indoor use – generate <40 decibels at the highest mode
- Able to fit different tank sizes, up to 200 gallons – four outlets with an adjustable rotary knob
- Big and a bit bulky
The Pawfly 160 GPH Aquarium Air Pump is our favorite choice for indoor aquariums because it runs extremely quiet (maximum decibels are only 40).
Meanwhile, it provides you with a max output of 160 GPH, which works phenomenally well on any tank up to 200 gallons, no matter marine or freshwater aquariums. The four outlets with an adjustable rotary knob help you modify the air output to suit specific tanks perfectly.
A good thing is it doesn’t get hot which you sometimes worry about with certain pumps. And the price is incredibly low.
Pawfly 160 GPH Aquarium Air Pump 4 Outlets Specifications | |
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Dimension | 6.4 x 6 x 2.3 inches |
Max Flow Rate | 160 GPH |
Recommended Tank Size | 200 Gallon Fish Tank |
No of Outlets | 4 |
Highlight Features | Power: 10 W Adjustable Flow Control 4 shockproof rubber pads 4 Outlets |
Run powerfully yet quietly, the Pawfly 160 GPH Aquarium Air Pump is our top pick for indoor aquariums, like living rooms, kitchens, or bedrooms.
Best For Hydroponics System: VIVOSUN 332 GPH Air Pump
- Energy efficiency and powerful – provide 332 GPH but the power consumption is just 14W
- Long-lasting and durable - high-grade aluminum body, heat-radiating aluminum plates, and degradation-resistant steel engine piston and cylinder
- Dependable – backed by a 1-year warranty
- It rattles a bit
- The soldering on the control knob could be better
VIVOSUN 332 GPH Air Pump nowadays is widely used for the home hydroponics system.
It is able to pump 332 GPH while consuming only 14W. The noise level is guaranteed to be always under 60 decibels.
The pump itself is engineered to reach the highest durability by using only premium materials: high-grade aluminum body, heat-radiating aluminum plates, and degradation-resistant steel engine piston and cylinder. Plus, it has a non-slip base.
To let customers buy the product with the highest confidence, VIVOSUN also provides it with a 1-year warranty.
VIVOSUN 332 GPH Air Pump Specifications | |
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Dimension | 6.8 x 5.9 x 4.6 inches |
Max Flow Rate | 332 GPH |
No of Outlets | 4 |
Highlight Features | Pump's oil-free motor lubrication Power: 14W High-grade aluminum body, heat-radiating aluminum plates, and degradation-resistant steel engine piston and cylinder |
If you’re seeking the best aquarium air pump for the hydroponics system, the VIVOSUN 332 GPH is worth investing in.
How To Choose The Best Aquarium Air Pump For Multiple Tanks?
Types
When choosing an aquarium air pump, you need to first decide which type of pump to use.
- Battery-powered air pump: these are wireless, compact, and portable units designed for those who want a small pump. They work as well as they’re supposed to. However, they have limited working time and you will have to change the battery when they run out of power.
- Plug-in air pump: this type can work continuously as long as it’s plugged into an outlet. It doesn’t have an on/off switch so you just need to plug it in and the machine will start working.
- Dual operation: this is a hybrid version combining the two former types. It can either be plugged into an outlet or run on a battery. The best thing is that the backup battery will kick in as soon as the electricity is out. The downside of this type is its hefty price.
Flow Rate
The flow rate, measured in gallons per hour (GPH), indicates how much air an air pump can generate at a certain speed.
When considering this factor, you need to take your tank capacity into account. For instance, a 40-gallon tank will need a 240GPH flow rate.
The choice of flow rate should also depend on the type of fish and plants you put in the tank. For a baby or smaller fish, you should apply a low flow rate, and vice versa.
Noise Level
A loud pump can be very irritating, so you should choose a device with the lowest noise level possible.
Remember to check the noise level (dB) on each product, any level between 30 and 44 dB is considered quiet. You shouldn’t compromise for higher levels.
Which Brands Make The Best Aquarium Air Pump For Multiple Tanks?
Tetra
Founded in 1951, this brand offers a huge product portfolio relating to fish. It makes endless efforts to innovate every product so that you can enjoy the highest quality.
VIVOSUN
With over 10 years of experience in the industry, this is a market leader when it comes to indoor equipment. Its products are made with quality, innovation, and expertise.
hygger
Since its foundation in 2008, this brand has earned a reputation around the world. Here, you will find products with high production standards.
FAQs
How big of an air pump do I need aquariums?
This is related to the flow rate of the pump and depends on the size of your tank as well as your fish, a smaller tank will need a small pump only. Besides, small, baby fish are also suitable for a small pump.
Can you have too many air bubbles in a fish tank?
If you are using the right aquarium equipment, you won’t likely have too many bubbles in the tank. However, keep in mind that too much oxygen can be stressful for the fish.
How do I filter multiple aquariums?
This is how you can build one filter for two tanks.
- You need to make a U-shaped PVC pipe that connects the tanks.
- Make an overhead filter using a plastic planner, PVC adapter, a small PVC pipe, sponges, and the media.
- Use a long, curved pipe to connect the overhead filter with the pump so that the pump is at the bottom of a tank.
- Put the overhead filter on top of the tanks and connect everything else.
You can see the detailed guideline in this video:
How does the air pump work?
An aquarium air pump works by agitating the surface water to increase the surface area of the water, which allows oxygen to get into the water through gas exchange. Gas exchange happens on the surface of the tank water when there’s excess CO2 released into the air and O2 taken in.
When an air pump produces bubbles, it raises the surface area and the tank will release more CO2 while taking in more O2.
How to install an air pump?
You need to follow these steps:
- Connect the pump with the air tubing
- Install the check valves, Y-valves, or T-valves
- Connect the air stones with the tubing
- Plug the pump in an electrical outlet
Conclusion
This is the end of our comprehensive guide on choosing the best aquarium air pump for multiple tanks, hopefully, the post will make it much easier for you to find the right air pump for your tanks. Good luck!