How to Pump a 125-Gallon Tank

An aquarium is a closed system, and it is important to keep that system clean. Without the right filtration, fish waste and uneaten food can quickly build up, reducing water quality and putting your entire aquarium in jeopardy. Aeration is an important consideration as well, and hobbyists will need to make doubly sure that their large tanks have the right types of pumps. Aquarium pumps are often used to run corner filters and undergravel filters, so the right pumps can have an impact on the efficiency of your filtration as well.

Things You'll Need

  • Aquarium pump
  • Filters
  • Airline tubing
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Instructions

    • 1

      Choose pumps that are designed for aquariums larger than the one you actually own. For a large tank like a 125 gallons, it is often a good idea to use two or three pumps as opposed to one. This will allow you to run several corner filters, an undergravel filter and an airstone in the same tank. By choosing two or three pumps that are rated for 125 to 150 gallon, you can ensure that your tank has the power it needs to move all that water around.

    • 2

      Connect your first aquarium pump to a length of airline tubing. Make sure there is plenty of tubing and that it reaches the filter or airstone without becoming kinked. It is best to have too much tubing than not enough. Plug the pump in and make sure there are bubbles coming out of the filter or airstone.

    • 3

      Hook up the other pump and connect the airline tubing to the device that it will be used to run. Connect a third pump if you are using one, then plug all of the pumps in and make sure they are working properly.

    • 4

      Purchase an aquarium-water test kit and use it to test your water quality on a regular basis. Contaminants like nitrates and ammonia can build up in your water without your knowledge, so it is important to check the water quality on a regular basis. A sudden spike in contaminants is often the first indication that one of your pumps has begun to fail.