USB Air Pump Unboxing & Review | Sea Monkey Tank!

An unboxing and review of the USB Air Pump with use in a Sea Monkey tank.
In this video I show you the usb air pump and how to assemble it. Using an airline is very important in Sea Monkey tanks, so I give some helpful information on why using the air pump is important for the health and longevity of your tank to help to reach adulthood.
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[@pico-cosmos]

UPDATE: This USB air pump stopped working after around 6 months of use. It began to switch off by itself and then need to be shaken to start working again - I'd recommend only using this air pump as a short term solution for your aquarium. UPDATE #2: It's been working fine again for the last few weeks, so whatever issue it had it seems to have sorted itself out 🤷‍♂

[@funkylittlespacecowboy2372]

What air pump would you recommend instead of this? Something more long-term

[@pico-cosmos]

@@funkylittlespacecowboy2372 To be honest pretty much any proper air pump from an aquarium store would be fine - I'd just make sure you have an air control valve so you can keep the air pressure low for a small aquarium. I've just purchased another USB air pump (different brand & design) which I'll review on the channel soon

[@rhys4373]

@@pico-cosmos hahaha no way, literally just bought this last night 😂 - quick question : do you leave ur usb heater on 24-7? within ur sea monkeys? Thanks love the channel

[@pico-cosmos]

@@rhys4373 I do leave it on 24/7 yeah. The heater I use has a built in thermostat that keeps the temperature at 26 degrees C, so I don't have to worry about it getting too hot

[@gd.ritter]

I've read many separate places about air pump longevity for my fish tanks, is that it's better for it to vent excess air rather than restrict flow. So instead of a valve in-line to reduce flow, put a T and put the valve on there just "leaking" air pressure into the room. This way the pump doesn't have to work harder to overcome resistance. Open the valve, more of the output goes into the atmosphere and the tank gets less bubbles. Close the valve and the tank gets more bubbles but the pump is pushing the same amount either way. (Obviously overcoming the water pressure is greater work than the room air if you want to get nerdy, but it's much easier than a restriction in-line with it). That said, the bellow of an air pump should be expected to wear out eventually regardless.

[@bormiten]

Hi Artemia Daddy! Not sure if someone already commented on it, but when using air pumps, check valves are handy to have. This reduces the chances of water getting into your air pump in case the power goes out or something.

[@pico-cosmos]

Thanks for this tip 👌 definitely an important point

[@missmoss4641]

The one I bought (it looked like the same product) actually came with one, despite not being listed anywhere on the Amazon page!

[@cliffianbustamante9913]

I like this one... I got the blue and yellow... One unit last for almost 1 year and 3 months... Its so reliable even the price is cheap... It helps a lot during power outages and it consumes very little energy from the powerbank... I my opinion, this is a must have for fish keepers...

[@normandcass1113]

I've used this type of pump for almost 2 years, two for large sponge filters and one to run an air hose in my granddaughter's sea monkeys tank. They are very quiet and work great so far!

[@pico-cosmos]

Mine is still going strong too! Love these pumps

[@HylianShieldmaiden]

I've been using this pump for a few months now to bubble my Ocean-Zoo and Magic Castle simultaneously, and I like it so far. It's really quiet as it runs, but I found that adding a bleed valve makes it run even quieter.

[@pico-cosmos]

Is the bleed valve one of the ‘T’ shaped air control valves?

[@HylianShieldmaiden]

@@pico-cosmos this video shows how to make one. I think a gang valve would also work. kzbin.info/www/bejne/m4WrqouDaZ2mnJI

[@Raevarie]

Yes I'm curious to know also what is a bleed valve! :)

[@lobomatias422]

I have had them for years, they work great! Keep up the great job!

[@pico-cosmos]

Oh nice! I don’t know why they weren’t on my radar until recently. I think they’re great though, perfect for our lil sea monkeys :)

[@everestjelly8982]

I was just browsing your channel and you JUST had uploaded.

[@pico-cosmos]

Haha well thanks for supporting the channel! Let me know if there's anything else you're interested in me making videos about :)

[@everestjelly8982]

Honestly I can watch anything you upload, they are all so entertaining and educational, I’ve seen all of your videos and TikToks lol. I am curious about how you got interested in sea monkeys or perhaps a video discussing all of the “cool” vintage tanks (even ones you don’t have) as that is something I believe me and other are very interested in!

[@pico-cosmos]

@@everestjelly8982 Oo these are some great ideas! I’ll start doing videos about the vintage tanks very soon, I’m just trying to do some proper research about them so I do them justice. I’ll be filming the space shuttle tank video this week

[@pepsirica]

This looks fantastic, and by the sounds of it, people have found them very useful. It would be great to hear your feedback once you’ve trialed it for a while

[@pico-cosmos]

I've been using it for almost a week now and so far I love it. I might buy another one for my other tanks too :D

[@venenareligioest410]

I have had one of these on all full time for about 12 months - really good - about £6 on eBay 👍

[@farnix]

These pumps are so underrated these days, as they are really silent and can provide a lot of aeration if used correctly

[@pico-cosmos]

Totally, I'm currently feeding 3 small tanks off one of these and it's basically silent 👌

[@jet_GraveWhisperer]

And I've just subscribed to your channel. Your tips have helped greatly. My autistic 13 year old is enjoying raising some sea monkeys

[@moose_and_squirrel1006]

bought a similar one recently and set it up today. flow is super strong but when i'm using the control valve, as soon as I turn the flow down, it shuts the device off. so just gonna have it on a minute or two throughout the day i suppose

[@everestjelly8982]

Woah I’m early! Love your content!!

[@robloxfighterpilot]

How do you Add the contr valve

[@ImCashhhh]

If you had to recommend the mini heater you recommended or this air pump which one is more essential?

[@pico-cosmos]

It depends. If your house drops below 18°C at any point during the day I’d say the heater is more important, but if it’s quite warm where you live I’d recommend the air pump.

[@ImCashhhh]

Sweet I live in Texas so i should not have a problem with warmth

[@xxxmxxwm1564]

Your channel is super cool :)

[@pico-cosmos]

Thanks! :D

[@demmarie1484]

Just bought one of these today along with inlet valve for control. Love it. My sea monkeys are about 6 days old now so still keeping with a low ish air volume into the water so I don’t blow them all around the shop and they can swim comfortably. Should I keep it at a low range or alter it? Or How much air going into the tank would you recommend for our monkeys? Low-mid?

[@pico-cosmos]

Keep it low 👍

[@jamesl7090]

Do I need to use air stone or just the air through the tube?

[@krossmellow9434]

I would get one but I don't think it would fit in my Mars tank because I have the small heater you recommended I was the one you were talking to on Facebook!

[@pico-cosmos]

You don’t need to use an airstone for your tank :) I use them because I like the look of small bubbles, but they’re not necessary. It should still work fine with the mars tank 👌

[@robloxfighterpilot]

When you put the eggs in can you put the air pump in straight after that or do you have to wait until they have grown

[@kingyboy2624]

I have used it since I've put the eggs in and they seem to be hatching fine.👍

[@jonlev5911]

Hey mate! Where did you get the clear air control valve? Petbarn only sells black ones and Amazon sells them in a 20 pack…don’t need that many!

[@jet_GraveWhisperer]

I heard you should leave the top on the tank? However due to getting a usb heater and airline, it simply doesn't close. What do u do,

[@fizzy965]

I'm trying to keep my set up as basic as possible, I'm only using the aqualeash that came with the tank for aeration. Will it help future generations if I mix the food into the water and aerate after feeding rather than letting it sit on the top of the tank?

[@pico-cosmos]

Mixing the food with water first definitely helps yeah :) Sea Monkey food doesn't dissolve though, so after a while the food will just fall to the bottom of the tank which isn't ideal for rearing baby Sea Monkeys. If you're not using an air pump I'd recommend occasionally feeding them Astaxanthin powder too because that dissolves well in the water making it easy for babies to eat

[@fizzy965]

@@pico-cosmos oh I thought it dissolved.. when I put it in it leaves an orangey streak as it falls, though most of it stays at the top. I've only been feeding tiny bits but more frequently. On day 5 I gave them maybe 1/4 of a spoon, then again 3 days later. Now they're getting bigger I'll switch to half a spoon and see how it goes ☺

[@pico-cosmos]

@@fizzy965 Yeah the Sea Monkey food is made up of a bunch of different stuff, there are some small orange pellets in there that do dissolve, but the green powder doesn't. Glad to hear they're growing well though :)

[@KaleKnight300]

I noticed when I had my air pump on, even at really low pressure, a super tiny bit of water would splash out. Do you think it's okay to run 24/7?

[@pico-cosmos]

Yeah it’s fine :)

[@venenareligioest410]

I have run one for 12 months, non stop! They are great!

[@Nestol55]

Where did you find the air control valve?

[@AccountGone01]

Does a pipette do the same thing as the tool that comes with some sea monkey kits?

[@pico-cosmos]

Yeh pretty much

[@Montessori_Motherhood]

Are you using sand at the bottom? I was not sure about substrate if it’s safe for sea monkeys

[@nyxaelia115]

Mine died after 3 months.... Not sure if I should buy another or look for another brand

[@pico-cosmos]

Mine kinda stopped working after a couple months too, and then started working again and it’s been fine since. I think they’re a bit hit and miss

[@ddrha770]

Hi Artemia Daddy, I just got a small pump for my sea monkey tank (I just put the eggs in). I have the pump going very light so as to not make any splashes outside of the tank. However, it looks like the pump intensity you have is producing a lot of bubbles. Are you, and should I, be concerned about the pump being too intense that it spits out baby sea monkeys or eggs?

[@pico-cosmos]

It’s fine to have it at a low pressure, as long as it’s slowly bubbling away and producing some water circulation that’s the most important thing 👌

[@8Bit_Studio]

I have a pump but where can i buy the thing for the air flow mine is small but is way to much air

[@pico-cosmos]

eBay, Amazon or any pet store

[@8Bit_Studio]

@@pico-cosmos is it called a check valve?

[@robloxfighterpilot]

​@@8Bit_Studio control valve

[@sophiebassett6456]

is there any other way to reduce the air flow aside from the control valve? i just got this and the flow is too strong, at the moment i just have it bubbling away at the very top but i'd like to be able to use the airstone without my seamonkeys constantly being aggressively thrown around their tank ahah.

[@lucakieft2671]

i bought it recently and tried it out on a waterbottle. What i did was poking a hole in the tube so the pressure can escape. dont poke it too big, or else the pressure is gone. I also recommend to do it at the end of your tubing, so you can cut a piece off if the hole is too big

[@pico-cosmos]

Not that I know of :/ the air control valves are very inexpensive tho

[@sophiebassett6456]

@@pico-cosmos thank you i did end up using one :)

[@duck200o25]

I use a twisty tie it works

[@ASombradaNoite]

@@duck200o25how do you use a twisty tie?

[@chrome2731]

Do u need the air stone? Or does it hurt them without it

[@pico-cosmos]

It's not essential but I think it helps a lot

[@cyborgqueer]

great question!

[@kirabrown5844]

I bought 4 of these and all failed within a few months. Good pump for short term use in a pinch.

[@pico-cosmos]

That’s good to know, mine is still going strong but I’ll keep an eye on it

[@alicemcshee3010]

What size tube is the pump using?

[@pico-cosmos]

I'm not sure of the exact size, but it's the same as just standard airline tubing

[@samthewolf704]

I put the air pump in the water but I after I saw this video I realized how it actually works But will it affect the way it works since I put the air pump in the water first

[@cajunking5987]

Update?

[@pet0r]

I've bought this exact type a few times, but I find the ones I limit this slowly burn out pretty fast (get hot and stop pumping)... am I getting dodgy ones, or doing something wrong>

[@pico-cosmos]

Mine are all still working! Sometimes they randomly switch off but I just give them a bump and they start working again 🤷‍♂️

[@Wangsium]

Hi is the air stone important? I am using one without but it is pushing the sea monkeys around.

[@pico-cosmos]

You dont need an airstone, but an air control valve is important to keep the pressure low

[@robloxfighterpilot]

How do you add the control valve

[@kingyboy2624]

Cut a hole somewhere in your tube and attach both ends to the 2 holes on the control valve

[@BuckyMeow]

Does this one’s wire get hot after a while? I bought a similar one (no silicone sleeve) but the wire seems to get hot after a while :( If the wire getting hot is not normal, I think I’ll upgrade to the one you have instead! ^^

[@pico-cosmos]

I’ve never experienced any issue with this pump overheating

[@BuckyMeow]

@@pico-cosmos Phew, that’s good to hear! Thank you!!

[@Mrmeoggy]

what would an acceptable air valve be for this?

[@pico-cosmos]

Even really cheap ones are fine. You can get them from any pet store that sells supplies for fish

[@Mrmeoggy]

@@pico-cosmos thank you! love your videos by the way!

[@sylvialiu6964]

How many sea monkey generations have you successfully had

[@pico-cosmos]

It’s difficult to count but my oldest tank is probably on its 4th generation

[@robloxfighterpilot]

​@@pico-cosmos wow

[@rosshay1394]

Hi Artemiadaddy, where do you get the wee plastic adjustable valve for this heater, what would I type in on Amazon? Cheers mate

[@pico-cosmos]

Hey Ross, they're very inexpensive and easy to find at pet stores. If you want to purchase one online you can here: www.amazon.com/dp/B07ZYZ2CSQ?tag=onamzjohnbozi-20&linkCode=ssc&creativeASIN=B07ZYZ2CSQ&asc_item-id=amzn1.ideas.1BLV20P3NQVL8

[@rosshay1394]

@@pico-cosmos cheers!

[@rosshay1394]

@@pico-cosmos alright again mate, is it okay to put in the air stone straight away alongside the eggs? Cheers

[@pico-cosmos]

@@rosshay1394 Yup! it doesn't really matter when you put it in, just make sure the pressure isn't too strong

[@CC-zy7zv]

how much litre of oxygen does sea monkey needs? if i just leave the bump for a few minutes an remove it, how long will it last?

[@pico-cosmos]

No idea. I have mine in there permanently. I recommend you have it on for at least 1 minute per day

[@CC-zy7zv]

@@pico-cosmos thx so muc

[@bananakittycat5477]

i accidentally spilled my volcano tank so i need to change the water and add more salt so in short just starting new with the water and i was growing algae so i might have to start a new 🥲