The 5 Best Air Pumps for Freshwater Aquariums in 2023

Absolutely not! If your tank has adequate flow from your filter outflow or powerhead, you do not have to add an air feature. Provided your filter is properly setup, it should provide all the oxygen your tank inhabitants require unless you have an overstocked system.

Aquarium air pumps work by forcing atmospheric air out through a port and down the airline tubing. They will usually end in an airstone, a small porous rock that will diffuse the air into small bubbles. Small bubbles are better for incorporating more oxygen into your tank water and providing more water movement.

Aquarium pumps are utilized for a variety of reasons. Firstly, they are incorporated into an aquarium to provide dynamic water flow. If you have a large system or a small filter, your water may not be properly circulated throughout your tank. You can help move things around by adding a powerhead or an aerator or air pump.

In addition to providing water movement, air pumps also add oxygen to your tank water. By diffusing air through a small airstone or bar, you are improving your water quality by providing additional oxygen to your fish, invertebrates, and plants.

If your pump is suspiciously noisy, especially just out of the box, you should contact the manufacturer. These items are very small and can often have mechanical issues.

Once you have a properly functioning pump, be sure to place it correctly on a solid surface a few inches away from your tank. If you do not have a check valve, be sure to place your air pump above your tank’s water surface to prevent backflushing down the line in the event of a power outage. Most air pumps come with rubber feet to limit vibrations. Make sure no other filter components are touching your vibrating air pump.

If your air pump is still too loud, try placing it on a block of foam or an extra filter pad. Try to avoid building a foam box for your filter, since this can cause your unit to overheat. If your filter is still too loud, despite modifications, you might want to get a new one.

Check valves create a one way route for air to enter your aquarium, but not return the opposite way. Most of the pumps in this review include check or return valves that will prevent back siphoning. Back siphoning occurs if the air pump is ever shut off, either intentionally or due to a power outage. If the pump is below the water line, gravity will force the tank water down the hose and spill into your unit. If not caught, you could accidentally siphon out your entire tank, leaving your fish high and dry!

Check valves prevent this back siphoning from occurring but are not required. If you have a pump that does not include check valves, if you place your air pump above the water line, you will prevent back siphoning. Do not place it on top of your tank, however, since the vibrations will cause your fish to stress out and can cause excess noise in addition to water damage from evaporation.