OPTIMA MAXIMA MAXIMA-R - Rolf C. Hagen Group

1 OPTIMAMAXIMAMAXIMA-RAIR PUMPSLISTED85E3E114229 CONGRATULATIONSOn your purchase of a MAXIMA , MAXIMA -R, or OPTIMA airpump. So that you may enjoy your new air pump to the fullest,please take a few moments to read this instruction booklet tobecome familiar with the installation and operation certain to read the SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS before using yourair SAFETYINSTRUCTIONSWARNING:To guard against injury, basic safety precautionsshould be observed, including the the complete enjoyment, use and understanding of this productREAD AND FOLLOW ALLSAFETY INSTRUCTIONSand all important notices on the appliance before using. Failureto do so may result in damage to the To avoid possible electrical shock, special care shouldbe taken since water is employed in the use of aquariumequipment. For each of the following situations, do not attemptrepairs yourself; return the appliance to the manufacturer forservice or discard the DO NOT immerse in water.

2 If the appliance falls into thewater, DON T reach for it!First unplug it and then retrieve electrical components of the appliance get wet, unplug theappliance immediately. (Non-immersible equipment only) examine the appliance after installation. It should notbe plugged in if there is water on parts not intended to be 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 anymanner. The power cord of this appliance cannot be replaced:if the cord is damaged, the appliance should be cut the avoid the possibility of the appliance plug or receptaclegetting wet, position aquarium stand and tank to one side of awall mounted receptacle to preventwater from dripping onto thereceptacle or plug. The drip-loop (see illustration) should be arranged bythe user for each cord connecting anaquarium appliance to a receptacle.

3 A drip-loop is that part of the cordbelow the level of the receptacle, or theconnector if an extension cord is used,to prevent water travelling along thecord and coming in contact with thereceptacle. If the plug or receptacledoes get wet, DON T unplug the the fuse or circuit breakerthat supplies power to the appliance, then unplug and examinefor presence of water in the supervision is necessary when an appliance is used by ornear avoid injury, do not contact moving parts or hot parts such asheaters, reflectors, lamp bulbs, and the unplug an appliance from an outlet when not in use,before putting on or taking off parts, and before cleaning. Neveryank cord to pull plug from outlet. Grasp the plug and pull not use an appliance for other than intended use. The use ofattachments not recommended or sold by the appliancemanufacturer may cause an unsafe not install or store the appliance where it will be exposed toweather or to temperatures below sure an appliance mounted on a tank is securely installedbefore operating and observe all the important notices on the an extension cord is necessary, a cord with a proper ratingshould be used.

4 A cord rated for less amperes or watts than theappliance rating may overheat. Care should be taken toarrange the cord so that it will not be tripped over or THESE INSTRUCTIONSDrip-LoopCheck ValveINSTALLATION:The air pump should be installed by following either of the tworecommended methods:1. Place the air pump on a surface lower than the water level of theaquarium. To avoid damage from accidentally spilled water, do notplace the air pump directly below the aquarium. Important:It isrecommended to always use aCheck Valve (sold separately) in theair line between the air pump andthe aquarium. The Check Valve willhelp prevent water from siphoningout of the aquarium through the airhose and into the pump in the eventof a power failure, or when removingfilters and other air-drivenaccessories from the Place the air pump on a surface higher than the water level, suchas a shelf.

5 The surface should be atleast 12 inches (30 cm) higher thanthe water level of the aquarium, butnot be positioned directly above theaquarium. The surface should have araised edge to prevent the air pumpfrom sliding off. Use a Check Valve(sold separately) in the air linebetween the air pump and theaquarium to prevent the air pump has been installed, do the following:1. Attach one end of the air line tubing (sold separately) to the airoutlet(s) on the air Attach the other end of the air line tubing to filter(s), air stone(s),ornament(s) or any other air-driven aquarium accessory. Ensurethat the airline tubing has no restrictions or kinks. 3. Plug air pump into outlet. Be sure to allow for a drip loop (seeillustration).Check ValveCheck ValveDrip-LoopDrip-LoopINSTALLATION TIPS: The pump should be placed in a location which is dry andrelatively free from dust. Do not place the air pump on carpet, asfibers might collect on the pump and clog free-flowing air fromentering the pump.

6 This will reduce the air output and the servicelife of the pump. Air control valves with multiple outlets may also be used topower additional apparatus in the aquarium. When usingmultiple air valves, it is recommended to have one more outletthan required by the accessories; this will be used to bleedoverproduction of air due to back pressure build up. For moreinformation about backpressure see (BACKPRESSURE). Air Pumps can be used to operate a variety of aquariumaccessories such as air stones, corner filters, under gravel filters,and ornaments. Follow installation instructions for yourparticular aquarium accessory :Care must be taken during installation to ensure that water cannotsiphon out of the aquarium through the air hose and damage theair pump. To prevent back-siphoning when removing filter(s),airstone(s), ornament(s) or any other air-driven aquarium accessoryfrom the aquarium, do the following:1.

7 Install a Check Valve2. Leave the pump running while you disconnect the tubing fromthe pump. Disconnect tubing and tape this end of the tubing tothe very top frame of your Filter(s), air stone(s) and other air-driven ornaments can now besafely removed from your FLOW ADJUSTMENT The MAXIMA -R and OPTIMA air pumps incorporate a rheostat tocontrol air output. Turning the knob clockwise increases the airflow and counter-clockwise reduces the air flow. Proper use of therheostat reduces harmful back pressure and lengthens the servicelife of the pump. The MAXIMA air pump is not equipped with arheostat; in which case an air control valve can be used to regulateair output (sold separately).In order to achieve correct airflow, a balance between the valvesetting and the pump output is necessary. The ideal setting isobtained by minimum back pressure or nonrestriction of flow ofair.

8 Never physically restrict the output of the pump. Restrictioncauses damage to the diaphragm. (SEE BACK PRESSURE). Adjustair valve output as required. To regulate air volume using an air control valve with multipleoutlets, it is recommended to have the last valve available to releaseexcess air pressure build up (see BACK PRESSURE). In regulatingthe air pressure, it is best to work from the valve farthest from theinput of the air valve. Remember to have the last valve completelyclosed so as not to lose any air pressure. Proceed to makeadjustments on the remaining valves. Once the adjustments arecomplete slowly open the last valve to the point where no loss of airoutput is noticed from the items controlled by the other valves. Toachieve and maintain an equal balance of air pressure to theaccessories in the aquarium, further adjustments of the air valvemay be required depending on the items powered by the air pump.

9 Note:If the first valve on the air control assembly is fully opened,air volume to the remaining outlets will be alleviate excess air pressure or overproduction of air, it isrecommended to open the last valve every 2 weeks, or whenrequired. In doing this, you will increase the life of the pump anddiaphragms by preventing premature PRESSUREBack pressure is the buildup of pressure on the diaphragm due torestricted air flow. This occurs when excess air is produced by theair pump, or when the air channels are inadvertantly pressure over time resulting from clogged air stones or otherair system blockages and restrictions will cause the diaphragm toexpand or rupture. An expanded diaphragm leads to a loss of airvolume while a rupture results in the total loss of (EXTERNAL APPEARANCE)Remove dust and grime with a soft, damp cloth. Do not immersepump in STONE, AIR LINE, AND ORNAMENT MAINTENANCEThis pump requires no regular internal maintenance during its rest of the air system should be periodically checked andcleaned.

10 Air lines should be carefully inspected whenever standardaquarium maintenance is performed. Adjust, or if required,replace all sections which are pinched, kinked, or otherwisedamaged. All attached air-driven aquarium ornaments should be regularlymaintained. Algae growths should be removed from movingparts and kept as clean as possible. Internal air tubes should becleaned. Air stones should be kept clean and free of debris or algae build-up. The ideal situation is to replace them every month, alternatingwith an extra set which has been dried over that period andcleaned before being placed in the aquarium. Two complete setsof air stones alternately changed each month will extend the lifeof the air stones and help keep back pressure to a air stones and air-driven aquarium ornaments will lead tolow air pressure output and also reduce the life of the TIPSIf the air pump fails to produce air, check the following:1.