I am in the process of setting up my new 55 gallon tank and am wondering what to do with the air pumps and stuff.

I have a rigid 18" bubble wall, like a long airstone, two 18" bendable bubble walls, tons of airline tubing and a 3 way gang valve which I have no idea how to use. Also, 3 air pumps, all are Hagens-one is a tiny Elite799, one a Maxima and one a Maxima-R (same as the other but with a rheostat-I think that is the adjuster thing).

I think I will probably just want the bendable bubble walls in there, so what would the best configuration be? It says the Maximas are for 30 gallons and under, but the tiny Elite one I have is almost too strong for my 20, so I am sure they will be fine. And do I need the gang valve thing or would it be easier just to use two separate air pumps, one for each bubble wall? And if i should be using the gang valve I would love some instructions, although I am sure it isn't too complicated.

Opinions please!

Can you connect two bubble wands? If so, and you can use them that way, I think you should do that and use a T valve to connect two airpumps. I am sure they will be fine alone as long as you use a check valve if the pump is below the aquarium.

I typically run a 3 inch piece of hosing to a check valve. Then, from the check valve, run another short piece of hosing to the gang valve. The gang valve splits the air into two (or more) outlets. You connect the various hoses that lead to your various air features to these hoses.

Depending on the the length of the airfeatures and the length of the hosing that you use, you can adjust the amount of air that goes to each with the valves that are in the gang valve.

Remember, a long run of hose and a large air feature will use a lot of air. You may find that you do not have enough air to run them all the way you want to with your air feature - or you may, since you say it is too strong as it is.

Running all the air hoses and such is really fun work! I love it.