FLUVAL A851 A Series Air Pump Instruction Manual

: June 12, 2024
: FLUVAL

Table of Contents

A851 A Series Air Pump
INSTALLATION:
INSTALLATION TIPS
AIR FLOW ADJUSTMENT
BACK PRESSURE
MAINTENANCE
TROUBLE SHOOTING TIPS
2 YEAR WARRANTY
RECYCLING
FOR AUTHORIZED WARRANTY SERVICE
References
Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
Download This Manual (PDF format)

A SERIES AIR PUMP
Instruction Manual

FLUVAL A851 A Series Air Pump - cover

A851 A Series Air Pump

CONGRATULATIONS Thank you for purchasing the Fluval A Series Air Pump. For a complete understanding of the air pump’s operation and capabilities, please read and follow these instructions.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
WARNING – To guard against injury, basic safety precautions should be observed, including the following:

READ AND FOLLOW ALL SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS and all important notices on the appliance before using. Failure to do so may result in damage to the unit.
DANGER – To avoid possible electric shock, special care should be taken since water is employed in the use of aquarium equipment. For each of the following situations, do not attempt repairs yourself, return the appliance to an authorized service facility for service or discard the appliance.
A. DO NOT immerse in water. If the appliance falls into the water, DO NOT reach for it! First unplug it and then retrieve it. If electrical components of the appliance get wet, unplug the appliance immediately. (Non-immersible equipment only)
B. Carefully examine the appliance after installation. It should not be plugged in if there is water on parts not intended to be wet. If the appliance shows any sign of abnormal water leakage or if RCD (or GFCI – Ground Fault Current Interrupter) switches off, disconnect the power supply cord from the mains.
C. Do not operate any appliance if it has a damaged cord or plug, or if it is malfunctioning or if it is dropped or damaged in any manner. The power cord of this appliance cannot be replaced: if the cord is damaged, the appliance should be discarded. Never cut the cord.
D. WARNING: To prevent possible electric shock resulting from water back- siphoning, pump should be located higher than water level. To avoid the possibility of the appliance plug or receptacle getting wet, position aquarium stand and tank to one side of a wall mounted receptacle to prevent water from dripping onto the receptacle or plug. A “drip
loop” (ill. A) should be arranged by the user for each cord connecting an aquarium appliance to a receptacle. A “drip loop” is that part of the cord below the level of the receptacle, or the connector if an extension cord is used, to prevent water travelling along the cord and coming in contact with the receptacle. If the plug or receptacle does get wet, DON’T unplug the cord. Disconnect the fuse or circuit breaker that supplies power to the appliance, then unplug and examine for presence of water in the receptacle. It is recommended to always use a Check Valve in the airline between the air pump and the aquarium.
WARNING: This appliance is not intended for use by persons (including children) with reduced physical, sensory or mental capabilities, or lack of experience and knowledge, unless they have been given supervision or instruction concerning use of the appliance by a person responsible for their safety. Children should be supervised to ensure that they do not play with the appliance.
To avoid injury, do not touch moving parts.
WARNING: Unplug or switch off all appliances in the aquarium or pond before carrying out maintenance.
Do not use an appliance for other than intended use. The use of attachments not recommended or sold by the appliance manufacturer may cause an unsafe condition.
For Indoor, household use only. This appliance is not a submersible appliance. Do not install or store the appliance where it will be exposed to weather or to temperatures below freezing.
This is an aquarium air pump. Do not use this air pump for other than its intended use (i.e.: do not use in swimming pools, bathrooms, etc.). The use of attachments not recommended or sold by the appliance manufacturer may cause an unsafe condition.
• Do not use this air pump in swimming pools or other situations where people are immersed.
• Do not use this air pump with inflammable or drinkable liquids.
Make sure an appliance mounted on a tank is securely installed before operating it.
Read and observe all the important notices on the appliance.
If an extension cord is necessary, a cord with a proper rating should be used. A cord rated for less amperes or watts than the appliance rating may overheat. Care should be taken to arrange the cord so that it will not be tripped over or pulled.
(For North America only) This appliance has a polarized plug (one blade is wider than the other). As a safety feature, this plug will fit in a polarized outlet only one way. If the plug does not fit fully into the outlet, reverse the plug. If the plug will still not fit fully into the outlet, contact a qualified electrician to inspect the outlet and make the needed alterations. Never use with an extension cord unless the plug can be fully inserted. Do not attempt to defeat this safety feature.
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS

PUMP SPECIFICATIONS 120V/60Hz

Item #	A851	A853	A854
Max. Flow Rate	24-29 GPH /
90-110 LPH	47.5-58 GPH /
180-220 GPH	87-98 GPH /

INSTALLATION:

Important: When installing an Air Pump it is highly recommended to always use a Check Valve (sold separately) with the airline tubing between the air pump and the aquarium (ill. B, C & D). The Check Valve will help prevent water from siphoning out of the aquarium through the airline tubing and into the pump in the event of a power failure, or when removing filters and other air-driven accessories from the aquarium. To avoid damage from accidentally spilled water, do not place the air pump directly below the aquarium (ill. B). The air pump should be installed by following either of the 3 recommended methods:

Place the air pump on a surface lower than the water level of the aquarium (ill. B).
Place the air pump on a surface higher than the water level. The surface should be at least 12 inches (30 cm) higher than the water level of the aquarium, but not be positioned directly above the aquarium. The surface should have a raised edge to prevent the air pump from sliding off (ill. C).
Wall mounting: Using the tab or eyelet, nail or screw the air pump to hang vertically on a wall (ill. D).

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Once the air pump has been installed, do the following:

Attach one end of the airline tubing (item #A1141, sold separately) to the air outlet(s) on air pump.
Attach the other end of the airline tubing to filter(s), air stone(s), ornament(s) or any other air-driven aquarium accessory. Ensure that the airline tubing has no restrictions or kinks.
Plug air pump into outlet. Be sure to allow for a “drip loop” (ill. B, C & D).

INSTALLATION TIPS

The pump should be placed in a location which is dry and relatively free from dust. Do not place the air pump on carpet, as fibers might collect on pump and clog free-flowing air from entering pump. This will decrease the air output, cause overheating and reduce the service life of the pump.
Air control valves (sold separately) with multiple outlets may also be used to power additional apparatus in the aquarium. When using multiple air valves, it is recommended to have one more outlet than required by the accessories; this will be used to bleed over production of air due to back pressure build-up. Please refer to BACK PRESSURE section for more information about back pressure.
Air Pumps can be used to operate a variety of aquarium accessories such as air stones, corner filters, under gravel filters, and ornaments. Follow installation instructions for your particular aquarium accessory product.
CAUTION: Care must be taken during installation to ensure that water cannot siphon out of the aquarium through the airline tubing and damage the air pump. To prevent back-
siphoning when removing the filter, air stone, ornament or any other air- driven aquarium accessory from the aquarium, do the following:
1. Install a Check Valve (sold separately).
2. Leave pump running while you disconnect tubing from pump. Disconnect airline tubing and immediately remove it and the accessory from the aquarium.

AIR FLOW ADJUSTMENT

The Fluval A Series Air Pump incorporates a single flow control knob to control air output on item A851 and 2 flow control knobs on items A853 and A854. Turning the knob clockwise increases the air flow and counter-clockwise reduces the air flow. Proper air flow control reduces harmful back pressure and lengthens the service life of the pump. In order to achieve correct air flow, a balance between the valve setting and the pump output is necessary. The ideal setting is obtained by minimum back pressure or non restriction of flow of air.
Air control valves (sold separately) (ill. F) with multiple outlets may also be used to power additional apparatus in the aquarium. To reduce back pressure always ensure that there is an unused outlet to bleed off excess pressure if necessary. For more information please refer to section on Back Pressure.
Once the adjustments are complete, slowly open the last valve to the point where no loss of air output is noticed from the items controlled by the other valves. To achieve and maintain an equal balance of air pressure to the accessories in the aquarium, further adjustments of the air valve may be required depending on the items powered by the air pump.
Note: If the first valve on the air control assembly is fully opened, air volume to the remaining outlets will be reduced.

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BACK PRESSURE

Back pressure is the build-up of pressure on the diaphragm due to restricted air flow. This occurs when excess air is produced by the air pump, or when the air channels are inadvertently blocked (refer to MAINTENANCE section for Air Stone, Airline Tubing and Ornament for more details). Back pressure over time resulting from clogged air stones or other air system blockages and restrictions will cause the diaphragm to expand or rupture. An expanded diaphragm leads to a loss of air volume while a rupture results in the total loss of air.

MAINTENANCE

REMOVING THE PUMP
Important: Whenever the air pump must be shut off and removed from the aeration system, always remove the airline tubing from the air outlet(s) before the pump is unplugged.
This will prevent water from siphoning back into the pump. If the airline tubing cannot be removed before unplugging the power cord, raise the pump above the water level.

AIR STONE, AIRLINE TUBING AND ORNAMENT

This pump requires no regular internal maintenance during its life.
The rest of the air system should be periodically checked and cleaned.
Airline tubing should be carefully inspected whenever standard aquarium maintenance is performed. Adjust, or if required, replace all sections which are pinched, kinked, or otherwise damaged.
All attached air-driven aquarium ornaments should be regularly maintained. Algae growth should be removed from moving parts and ornaments should be kept as clean as possible. Internal airline tubing should be cleaned.
Air stones should be kept clean and free of debris or algae build-up. The ideal situation is to replace them every month, alternating with an extra set which has been dried over that period and cleaned before being placed in the aquarium. Two complete sets of air stones alternately changed each month will extend the life of the air stones and help keep back pressure to a minimum. Clogged air stones and air-driven aquarium ornaments will lead to low air pressure output and also reduce the life of the diaphragms.

EXTERNAL APPEARANCE
Remove dust and grime with a soft, damp cloth. Do not immerse pump in water. Do not use detergents.

TROUBLE SHOOTING TIPS

If the air pump fails to produce air, check the following:

Ensure that the air pump is plugged in.
Ensure that there are no blockages in the airline tubing and that all valves allow air passage.
If no air is produced by the accessories in the aquarium, remove the airline tubing from the pump and ensure that air is being produced.
If the air pump produces no output, the most common problem encountered with any air pump is a ripped or weakened diaphragm.

2 YEAR WARRANTY

The Fluval Air Pump is guaranteed for defective parts and workmanship for a period of 2 years from the date of purchase. This guarantee is valid with proof of purchase only. The guarantee is limited to repair or replacement only and does not cover consequential loss, loss or damage to livestock and personal property or damage to animate or inanimate objects, irrespective of the cause thereof. This guarantee is valid only under normal operating conditions for which the unit is intended. It excludes any damage caused by unreasonable use, negligence, improper installation, tampering, abuse or commercial use. The warranty does not cover wear and tear, breakage of glass or parts which have not been adequately or correctly maintained.
THIS DOES NOT AFFECT YOUR STATUTORY RIGHTS.

BONUS
+1 YEAR EXTENDED WARRANTY
LIMITED TIME OFFER! Register this product online within 30 days of purchase and Fluval will extend your current warranty at no charge. The extended warranty is subject to provisions outlined within the standard Fluval warranty. Complete details and registration available at: FluvalAquatics.com/warranty

RECYCLING

**** This product bears the selective sorting symbol for waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). This means that this product must be handled pursuant to EU Directive 2012/19/EU in order to be recycled or dismantled to minimize its impact on the environment. Check with your local Environmental Agency for possible disposal instructions or take to an official council registered refuse collection point.
Electronic products not included in the selective sorting process are potentially dangerous for the environment and human health due to the presence of hazardous substances.

FOR AUTHORIZED WARRANTY SERVICE

For Authorized Warranty Service please return (well packaged and by registered post) to the address below enclosing dated receipt and reason for return. If you have any queries or comments about the operation of this product, please let us try to help you before you return the product to your retailer. Most queries can be handled promptly with a phone call. When you call (or write), please have all relevant information such as model number, age of product, details of aquarium set-up, as well as the nature of the problem.
CANADA: Consumer Repair, Rolf C. Hagen Inc., 20500 Trans Canada Hwy, Baie-D’Urfé (Quebec) H9X 0A2
Canada only: 1-800-554-2436 between 9:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
Eastern Standard Time. Ask for Customer Service.
U.S.A.: Rolf C. Hagen (U.S.A.) Corp., 305 Forbes Blvd, Mansfield, MA 02048
U.S.A only: 1-800-724-2436 between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
Eastern Standard Time. Ask for Customer Service.
UK: Rolf C. Hagen (UK) Ltd, Customer Service Department, California Drive, Whitwood Ind Est., Castleford, West Yorkshire WF10 5QH
U.K. only: Helpline Number 01977 521015. Between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday to Thursday and 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on Friday (excluding Bank Holidays).