Penn-Plax Standard Airline Tubing, 25 ft

Penn-Plax standard airline tubing is the clear, flexible hose that carries air from an aquarium pump to an air stone, sponge filter, under-gravel filter or bubbling ornament. This roll is 25 feet long, enough to plumb a few tanks or redo a whole rack.

Sizing

It’s standard 3/16 inch airline, with a 4 mm inner diameter and 6 mm outer diameter. That’s the size most aquarium air pumps, check valves, gang valves and air stones are built for. If a fitting feels loose, dip the tubing end in warm water for a few seconds to soften it and push it on again.

Routing tips

• Add a check valve. If the pump sits below the waterline, a check valve stops water siphoning back during a power cut.
• Leave a drip loop. Let the tubing dip below the outlet before it rises to the pump, so any water runs off instead of reaching the plug.
• Cut cleanly. Use sharp scissors for square cuts, which seal better on fittings.
• Use suction cups. Clip the line to the glass so it doesn’t float or kink.

Clear, flexible plastic

The clear tubing blends in once it’s in the water, and Penn-Plax says it resists cracking, hardening and kinking. It’s suitable for freshwater and saltwater tanks. Over years, any soft tubing can stiffen, especially where light hits it. Replace sections that turn brittle.

What to pair it with

Pair it with an air pump like the Tetra Whisper AP150 and a sponge filter or air stone kit, such as the Pawfly air stone kit.