Air Pump Recommendations for UAS® upflow algae scrubber® models
(not RAIN models)
Updated December 18, 2024
Danner AP-4 (has 2 outlets, and a control knob)
Danner AP-8 (has 4 outlets, and a control knob)
Danner is just one brand of these very common pumps; any other pump that looks similar will work. They are found on Ebay, Amazon, and many other aquarium websites and physical stores too.
Danner AP-4 pump with 2 outlets:
Danner AP-8 pump with 4 outlets:
One promising pump that is supposed to be very quiet (but has not been tested/compared to the Danner) is the Hygger Ultra-quiet pump with control knob:
https://www.hygger-online.com/produc...uiet-air-pump/
The three versions of this Hygger pump all have 2 outlets:
The 4 watt version is 6 lpm (liters per minute) total, and would connect directly to a SURF2. Or with the two outlets combined into one with a "T" or "Y" fitting, would be good for any HOG or DROP or SLIP model. Or two of these pumps would connect directly to a SURF4.
The 7 watt version is 9 lpm total, and connects the same as the 4 watt version but has more bubbles which may not be needed except with very thick growth, or if two pumps are being used for a SURF4.
The 11 watt version is 14 lpm total, and would be a large amounts of bubbles for a SURF2. Or if both outlets are split with a "T" or "Y" fitting (resulting in 4 outlets), a single pump would power a SURF4. Very high bubbles in a SURF4 would require two of these pumps, but it is ok to start with one.
The "T" or "Y" aquarium airline fitting is a standard plastic 3/16" part that all aquariums stores and websites have.
"T" or "Y" aquarium airline fitting:
All HOGs have 1 inlet, and you combine 2 pump outlets into 1 by getting a plastic T or Y aquarium airline fitting.
All DROPs have 1 inlet, and you combine 2 pump outlets into 1 by getting a plastic T or Y aquarium airline fitting.
The DROP.2 has 1 inlet and can use any small 1-outlet pump.
The SLIP.7 has 1 air inlet at the top, and another at the bottom, which is used for bubble upflow mode. You only need to pick one of them, and combine 2 pump outlets into 1 by getting a plastic T or Y aquarium airline fitting. However if you want, you can supply air to both air inlets; this would require a 4-outlet pump combined into 2, or, two separate 2-outlet pumps each combined into 1.
The SURF2 has 2 inlets, and fits a 2-outlet pump. No T or Y aquarium airline fitting is needed.
The SURF4 has 4 inlets, and fits two 2-outlet pumps or one 4-outlet pump. No T or Y aquarium airline fitting is needed.
The SURF8 needs a larger pump which is described in the listing.
Older info:
Having bought and tried all of the following, here are the best ones:
Flow (highest to lowest):
Coralife Super Luft... TONS of flow for multiple outlets or multiple scrubbers
Tetra Whisper 300... High flow if both outlets are combined into one
JW Aquatic Fusion 700... No longer available
Tetra Whisper 150... Good flow for one outlet
Coralife Luft (regular)... Good flow for one outlet
Noise (most to least):
Coralife Super Luft... (Loud; vibrates)
Coralife Luft (regular)... (Vibrates)
JW Aquatic Fusion 700... No longer available
Tetra Whisper 300... Silent
Tetra Whisper 150... Silent
Size: (big to small):
Tetra Whisper 300... Large
JW Aquatic Fusion 700... No longer available
Coralife Super Luft... Medium
Tetra Whisper 150... Medium
Coralife Luft (regular)... Small
Cost (most to least):
Coralife Super Luft
Coralife Luft (regular)
Tetra Whisper 300
Tetra Whisper 150
JW Aquatic Fusion 700 (No longer available)
Overall winner for a single UAS scrubber used at home: Formerly the JW Aquatic Fusion 700 (also is the only one with adjustable flow), but now the Danner AP-4.
Overall winner for multiple UAS scrubbers if noise if ok: Coralife Super Luft
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