Annual Maintenance - KA25 Air Pump

[Rick Thibert]

A couple years ago I lost a few fish to air pump failure. The reason was that the KA25 by Blagdon has two diaphragms and I failed to notice the drop in air when the first diaphragm (a rubber disc) had failed. Then subsequently the second had failed and I lost all my air. So, I had to replace the diaphgragms two years ago to get the air pump up and running in an emergency. Since then, I keep a spare annual maintenance kit to hand for each air pump and even spare air pumps for the fish house so I can plug one in to get me out of trouble and repair the down one at a convenient time as we all know these things don't happen at a convenient time. Then assuring to purchase another annual service kit for "stock".

Either way, as I type, I'm replacing the diaphragms and filters on my air pump as a preventative measure. In 2 years the diaphragms had perished a bit, but not that much. I think bi-annual replacement will suffice personally, but this should act as a reminder for you all to get your air pumps serviced! :)

A bit fiddly on the KA25, KA60 but manageable. :) Just do one side at a time and pay close attention to detail. :)

Rick

[mark wright]

Good point Rick. We tend to think - I do anyway - that airpumps are going to run forever unless a diaphragm goes, but of course every day this becomes more likely.

Same with heaters. We think "yeah I'll get a second heater in there at some point just in case" and then we forget. And then we get a painful and expensive reminder.

[Jim Dawson]

Hi Rick

Very good point and as Mark says can be carried over to heaters.

We use the KA range at work for the Koi vats and as the diaphragms cost very little we replace them yearly as a precaution. This saves a potentially huge amount as the law of Murphy and Sod says the pump will fail on a very hot night just after you have locked up resulting in a lot of dead koi next morning at £ very expensive each.

I use the Hagen air pump at home and always have a spare set of diaphragms in stock as well as a couple of heaters.

Regards

Jim

[Rick Thibert]

Hi Rick

Very good point and as Mark says can be carried over to heaters.

We use the KA range at work for the Koi vats and as the diaphragms cost very little we replace them yearly as a precaution. This saves a potentially huge amount as the law of Murphy and Sod says the pump will fail on a very hot night just after you have locked up resulting in a lot of dead koi next morning at £ very expensive each.

I use the Hagen air pump at home and always have a spare set of diaphragms in stock as well as a couple of heaters.

Regards

Jim


I like to be prepared! As you say Murphy and Sod work against you! :(

[juwelkeeper]

Anyone know of a good site to get the best price for a ka 50 diaphragm .

[Rick Thibert]

Edd,

You can normally get all this sort of stuff at any LFS that stocks Blagdon ............ £3 - £5 at a guess............

[juwelkeeper]

Edd,

You can normally get all this sort of stuff at any LFS that stocks Blagdon ............ £3 - £5 at a guess............

Hi Rick
just did a google search and found a Blagdon Accessories Annual Maintenance Master Spares Kit 50 and 65 for £6.40 +1.99 delivey. Thought i would go the whole hog and replace more than just the diaphragm.