If your aquarium’s air pump is too loud, find the reason behind the noise, and try these repairing tips to make it silent.

Why is My Aquarium Air Pump So Loud? An aquarium’s air pump can be noisy due to the reasons such as a worn diaphragm, increased vibrations due to backpressure, or a clog near the air tube. Other are poor-quality pump, cheaper device, or an old pump; All of these reasons make it loud, noisy, and intolerable. However, proper maintenance and some improvement tips can help make it quiet and less noisy.

Why is My Aquarium Air Pump So Loud?

Air pumps of a fish tank work with the filter, decorations, and other air-driven devices. It is not always compulsory equipment of the tank, but adding it to the tank improves the quality of life of the fish and plant.

It also improves water quality and water movement and acts as an excellent source to bring oxygen from the atmosphere into the water.

The noisy air pump is a headache, and when it creates a tapping sound on the surface, it is very annoying and horrible. This sound distracts the fish that are gently swimming in the water and disturb the solace of running water. The motor sound that comes out of the aquarium air pump is detrimental to the fish.

It is possible to reduce the noise and loudness of the air pump by applying maintenance tasks. Using a few household items, you can fix this issue conveniently.

What makes an aquarium air pump too loud and noisy?

Many reasons produce noise in an air pump, which is very disturbing and frustrating.

A worn diaphragm

The most probable reason for the loud air pump is a worn diaphragm. The pump works very fast and steadily, so the diaphragm can tear and perish. It is because of the continuous pumping in and out of the diaphragm approximately a million times a day.

This rapid and frequent working damage the rubber diaphragm, and the air pump starts producing noise. The more it becomes louder, the more it is annoying and disturbing.

Pumping air deep in the tank

Usually, when you force the device to pump air deep into the tank, it creates resistance in the diaphragm. The gradual movement of the rubber diaphragm increases the vibrations and leads to noise production.

Wrong placement of air pump

Placement of an air pump strongly affects the noise that it produces as when you place your air device on a vibratory surface such as glass metal or anything hollow, it can amplify the noise.

When you place the pump below the water level, it produces water resistance on the pump, making it work harder and creating noise.

Running too many accessories from a single pump

When you are running several aquarium accessories from a single pump, it applies so much pressure on it.

The constant demand for air causes it to work faster, which can lead to irregular air supply. This irregular and improper air supply into the tubes make an annoying noise.

Clog near air tubes

Sometimes there is a clog in airline tubes or pipes, which leads to the blockage of airflow through the airline tubes.

This blockage causes the aquarium air pump to make a weird and loud noise. Also, this insufficient air supply can lead to poor oxygenation in tank water.

Old aquarium air pump

When using for several years, the air pump gets too louder because the pump’s motor gets rough and damaged and results in improper working.

As time passes, the air pump motor loses its potential of frequent working and starts making a loud voice. Also, the screws may become loose with time, and these loose screws further increase the vibratory movements as they can not hold the pump’s compartments together. You can make a cement fish tank at home and use it.

A bad-quality air pump

Sometimes you purchase a cheaper air pump because of a low budget, but it may be a poor choice pump. There may be a cheap rubber diaphragm or an incompetent motor inside it. 

The noise of bubble forming and popping

The bubbles that a pump produces by supply air into the water also make noise and, you can hear it from the outside.

This bubble popping and forming voice is sometimes very irritating and distracting, especially in a quiet room. This sound, when combines with the motor voice, creates an overall loud noise.

How to Quiet a loud aquarium air pump?

You can reduce the irritating loud voice by using simple repairing tips and tricks and some improvement methods. 

Clean the airline tubes

To clear any residues or clog from the airline tubes, you have to wash them off with plenty of water. Another way is to suck water into these tubes and then forcefully blow it through them.

The blowing pressure will remove all the residues and clog from the air tube, making them clear; cleaning of airline tubes reduces the noise. It will stop the brown algae from growing in the fish tank.

Use foam padding or cover

Foam is a vibration-absorbing material and dampens the noise of the air pump. Use a piece of foam or any other similar material to cover the device like a box, and it will absorb all the vibrations and reduces the noise. You can make a wooden fish tank stand and place it under the tank.

Replace diaphragm

A diaphragm is a disposal rubber membrane that you should change over time to avoid the production of a loud voice. It can not last several years as the diaphragm reduces its sustainability and quality with time. Replace it after a year at least to prevent the making of noise.

Tightening of screws of the air pump

The continuous vibrations coming from the diaphragm can lose the screws of the air pump, and by tightening them, you may notice clear improvements in the noise.

Mount the air pump

Mounting the air pump above the water level helps to improve noise by avoiding back siphoning. The setup of placing it on the height can lower the loud voice to a greater extent by reducing the pressure and resistance onto the device.

Insulating the compartments of the air pump

You can insulate the open and hollow areas or chambers in the air pumps by placing filter fibers into them.

Do not cover diaphragm, wires, or screws as it may damage them. By insulating the compartments, you will observe an enormous reduction in noise.

Suspending the pump into a jar

Find a large and wide glass jar that contains a lid and suspend your air pump into it and cover with the lid; leave a small gap for the cord or tubing to pass out.

In this way, the noise will remain in the jar only, and neither you nor your fish can hear the loud voice. Remember it should not touch the sides or bottom of the glass jar as if it touches the glass in any way, it will create another acoustic voice.

Use a cushion or towel under the air pump

Another efficient technique to reduce noise to take a towel, fold it, and place it under the air pump. Or you can take a cushion and place the air pump onto it as both cushion and towel help reduce voice by absorbing sound and vibrations.

Clean and replace air stones

Another tip is to keep air stones clean often to avoid the accumulation of debris and residues. Remove algae, bacteria, fish waste, and dust deposits from the air stones by washing them with soap and water to avoid creating pressure on the device.

Also, it is better to replace them every month to prevent any blockage in airflow. Many people use the gravel cleaner in the aquarium.

The alternative to an air pump

When you fail to reduce the noise despite using all tips and tricks, you can move toward an alternate.

Powerheads provide a stronger current than the air pump and do not produce noise because of their placement inside the tank. So they act as a better alternative to your noisy air pump.