Vintage Aquarium Pumps

Aquarium pumps from way back were modeled after steam engines with 'wobbler' cylinders. I thought having a vintage aquarium was cool enough, but now obviously it is not complete without some vintage pumps running it.

This is a restored two cylinder "Windsor Piston Aquarium Pump". According to information on the box label, this is a "Model 1" Cylinder Double Piston" pump. It was manufactured by Aqua Pump Products Co., 98-02 218th St., Queens Village, 29, NY. Age unknown.

This is a Marco twin cylinder aquarium pump driven by an integral shaded pole motor. The pump uses "wobbler" type cylinders and valves similar to those used on many model steam engines. The unit was manufactured by J.B. Maris Co. of Bloomfield, NJ and sold as a "Marco Air Pump" model B2. It was manufactured under patent 1,977,730 issued on Oct. 23, 1934. The patent relates to the design of the motor assembly. The disc is 5" in diameter and the base is 5"x 6".

 

I must say you find some awesome stuff!

 

Matt, I dont know WHY you dont have an old glass tank with a slate bottom and metal trim, with one of these bad boys running on it. lol

 

Brings back memories. lol

I recall seeing similar style pumps in the aquarium books I borrowed from the school library. Don't know when the vibrator/plunger style was first developed, but it was available when I set up my first tank, although all optional filtration was still air-powered.

 

I have fond recollections of piston style aquarium pumps. I forget the mfr, but the single piston model was called "little ocsar" and the double was "big oscar". My dad had several when I was a little kid, and I remember it was a big deal when the Silent Giant (vibrator pump) came out because they were a lot quieter.

I also remember that aquariums had painted iron frames and were held together /waterproofed with black putty. SW tanks were actually designed with the glass protruding above the frame to prevent corrosion from falling into the water.

Very cool find...I should go poke around in my dad's old fish room just to see what I can find...

 

Cool. Please follow up if you find anything. Thanks for info.

In due time my friend. The though occurred to me.


matt

 

Well what do you know.. apparently the town I live in now used to make aquarium pumps! Here is an Oscar Model 1 pump:

This is an Oscar Model 1 vintage aquarium pump. The pump was manufactured by THE OSCAR CO. of Berkeley, CA. The piston is 1" in diameter and has a 9/16" stroke. It rotates at about 500 rpm and is driven by a 1525 rpm 1/20 HP motor. The unit runs very quietly. Age unknown.

 

Look at the size of this one!

Hy-Flo Medcalf Bros. Model C - Series II - Piston Pump


And here is a vintage Aqua pump:

Cool. 8)

 

In two years Matt will have a steam-powered halide system.