Soundproof Box for Aquarium Air Pump
Do you have an aquarium? Do you want to soundproof your air pump so that it doesn’t disturb the neighbors or people in your home? If so, then this blog post is for you! In today’s article, we will share a soundproof box tutorial and give some soundproofing tips. Let’s get started!
Why Aquarium Air Pump is Noisy?
The purpose of an aquarium air pump is to reproduce motion water in to a fish tank, so they are essential for keeping your pet alive. However, if you have ever heard your aquarium air pump running, then you know that it can be noisy…
The noise you hear when running your fish tank is the sound of bubbles moving around in it. The movement creates friction, which generates heat and compresses gases into bubbles for us to see. The sound of an aquarium air pump is actually caused by the vibration of the motor. This noise is usually quite noisy and can be pretty annoying and even disruptive if you are trying to sleep or study in the same room as your tank.
Soundproof Box for Aquarium Air Pump
A soundproof box is a soundproof enclosure that can be used to reduce the sound output from an aquarium air pump. There are many benefits to using a soundproof box, including being able to use it during the day without disturbing others and having the ability to turn off the sound at night. This article will provide information on how you can make your own soundproof box for your aquarium air pump!
There are several ways to soundproof an air pump. One way is to use acoustic foam to absorb the sound waves. Another way is to place the air pump in a box made out of soundproofing material.
Things to Consider Before Building Air Compressor Box
- size
If you’re planning to build your soundproof enclosure but when you get to the part where you need to install the compressor, it won’t fit! As a result, the first thing you should think about while constructing your soundproof enclosure is the size of your compressor.
So you need to measure your compressor and figure out what width, height and depth the compressor box might be. When choosing dimensions, keep in mind that the box should be slightly larger than the compressor for free air access and to prevent overheating.
- soundproofing material
In addition, you need to consider that the box will have a backing layer of soundproofing material. The most lightweight soundproofing material are mass loaded vinyl (MLV), rock wool, closed cell foam, acoustic panels, acoustic foam, cell neopren, more about soundproofing characteristics of each you may read in our recent blogpost Lightweight Soundproof Materials.
Consider the different sounds you’re hearing: they all have various solutions. In general, rock wool is an excellent insulator, and neoprene rubber feet are great for stopping low-frequency noises from spreading. Air gaps are also beneficial in dampening undesirable noises.
How to Make a Soundproof Box
The simplest aquarium air pump soundproof box has a three-piece design: the compressor sits on top of the platform, a three-walled enclosure slides overtop the compressor and the final wall is then latched into place.
- Make a platform on springs or rubber, depending on how low (in frequency) the noise is. Consider the planned size of outer box. Glue the rubber to this platform.
- Place the pump on the rubber feet on the platform and secure it with screws.
- Build a box that fits onto the platform, MDF should be fine.
- Place the pump on the rubber feet on the platform and secure it with screws.
- Fill the insides of each box with your rock wool/fiberglass/insulation of choice. Make sure the ground and platform’s edges are level so they don’t shake and rattle. Make sure to attach your insulation to all internal surfaces, as well as the underside of the platform.
- Put the whole thing on a rug to reduce the noise level even more.
Additional Hints
You may use neoprene sheets instead of a two-componrnts box wall and a layer to cover the baffle surfaces. It will also help kill the transmission of sound as well.
The fourth wall may not be firmly attached, but installed in the form of a door that opens and closes.
You might consider installing an electric vent fan is installed into the side of the box to allow airflow for the compressor which prevents its oveheating. The vent fan is wired to the power switch, so everything can be turned on with one switch.
Very effective air compressor silencer box built from two MDF boxes, one inside the other. Use a circular saw to cut off the top to form a cover and staple the inner and outer boxes and glue them together to form one double-walled case.
Instead of creating a soundproof enclosure surrounding the entire compressor, the air pump can be removed from the compressor and installed in a separate quiet box. To further reduce the noise level, this box can be installed further from the recreation area. To cover the inside of the box thick egg case foam can be used.
Great DIY Project!
As you can see, making a soundproof aquarium pump box is not the easiest method of turning the latter into a soundproof one.But, on the other hand, this does not require any special skills in electricity or aquarism – some skills on MDF sheets cutting and screwdriver using will be enough! We hope that, with our blogpost, you will achieve great results on making a soundproof aquarium pump box spending very little money and efforts!
