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Old 07-12-2018, 22:18   #4
Lazy-Ferret
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Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Sevenoaks, Kent
Vehicle: Terrano 2.7TDi SE Touring
Posts: 5,221
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Most fish tank don't spark, they use a pair of electrical coils, to pull a solenoid connected to a pair of bellows back and forward. Main problem is, the bellows tend to work harden, and you have to replace them every year or so.

What you ideally want is one of the old Medcalf Hy-Flo pumps, beautiful bit of kit, they use a coil to induce an eddy current into an aluminium disk, that then revolves, and drives 2 crank shafts connected to little pistons.... all you have to do is put a drip of oil on them once a month or so. Only problem is, they fetch quite good money now, as they are collectors items. I had 2 for my fish tanks, spent almost as much time watching the pumps, as watching the fish... Other thing is, rather than the annoying buzzing the modern ones make, these do a relaxing chuff...
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