bubble/dwc with air compressor

so i hooked up my new air stones to a rena air 400 i had left over from an old fish tank, and it didnt make much in the way of bubbles, like i was expecting. definitely not enough to splash roots.

so i had the thought that my pump might be too small now and i would have to by a larger one. bummer!

so i hooked up my air compressor i sometimes use for a nail gun, but for the most part it is just sitting in my garage next to my tent. so my question...is there anything wrong with using an air compressor for my bubble buckets/coolers?

the only problem i forsee is the compressor kicking on in the middle of the night to recharge the tank. dont know if this noise will disturb my neighbors or not, but may not matter since its ommp and i am under limits.

still dont want to piss off the neighbors on purpose.

just get a more powerful pump. like a 1k gpm

trying to use what i have first.

anyone know how to calculate how long a 20gal compressor at 10psi will last through a few airstones?

That rena is a pretty good pump you probly just need 2x $5 rebuild kits from the pet shop.


The tune up kit fixes problems with air output and/or increased noise. Includes the diaphragm and valve block for the 300 / 400. These parts are the most likely to wear out during normal use. From our experience the life expectancy of these parts is about two years but can range from as little as one year to as much as five years depending on operating conditions. The Rena Air 400 will require two complete kits to repair both sides.

Not trying to revive an old thread but curious if you stuck with the air compressor idea or not.

I have a 80 gallon compressor that just sits around doing nothing 99% of the time. I think it would be more cost effective to have it run my airstones vs. the smaller 140Ml/hr .003CFM pumps I'm using. Plus the air won't be near as hot coming out.

I'm staring at my small air compressor wondering the same thing. I've got 3 stones on my $80 aquarium air pump and I'd rather use my compressor than sink another dime into another air pump.

all you fuckers have air compressors but none of you have tried this shit yet?? stop asking and start experimenting.

LOL no doubt

Well i've tried this, my electric air compressor that runs my framing tools would have to kick on every 4 minutes (running 20 stones) and after an hour of this the air would be piping hot in the tank. I guess 4 minutes off time wasn't long enough to cool down. So yeah, total bust.

Schrader scroll compressors, properly sized and regulated, are used in very large commercial grows, so yes it can be done.

For a piston compressor you will want a large pressure tank and a regulator on the tank output. Tank fills to say 150psi and the regilator allows the psi you require downstream.

Compressed air by nature is warmer than ambient.

On a large single compressor setup, one could use an intercooler and fan to cool the air post regulator

Nobody is concerned with the oil used in compressors?
Not to mention the water that they produce.
Ever smell that water from a freshly dumped air compressor?

They do make air dryers and filters for air compressors. Just additional costs to worry about though.

I saw a video of a compressor hooked to a condenser to strip the air dry. From what the builder claimed, it was using parts from an F-150.

I'm starting to think my itty bitty 3 Gal compressor also won't be enough. I've only got 3 buckets, but one has fish and I'd hate to poison them or cook them :/

I completely understand utilizing what's available to you, especially when financially times are tight, but after reading all of the posts, air compressors seem like they may require more maintenance than buying a new air pump would be worth...but I could be totally wrong, just thinking out loud...

dbkick said:

Nobody is concerned with the oil used in compressors?
Not to mention the water that they produce.
Ever smell that water from a freshly dumped air compressor?

Click to expand...

I was thinking the same thing... I use a nail gun all summer and by the end of every day my right wrist/arm is grey/charcoal colored. Pretty nasty stuff.... Fck smoking that.