Can I use a R134A Vacuum Pump as an Air Pump for Compost Tea?

Hi Everyone,

I wondering if I can use so a vacuum pump I already have for working on automotive AC systems to push air a compost tea set-up. I'd like to minimize the purchase of extra stuff, especially if I have something that can already fit the bill. I am concerned about the following, of which I would appreciate any input:
    A. Premature wear (I would want to run this for 72 hours at a time)
    B. Pump oil contamination – this pump is designed to exhausts oil. I think it’s only mineral oil but am concerned if that would be harmful to introduce to the compost tea
    C. AC Refrigerant – This pump previously pulled a vacuum on a R134A system (MSDS sheet linked). I think it would be safe to use as any remnant 134A refrigerant would be negligible.

Thanks in advance for your input!

A pump that pushes air (or something else) is built differently than one that pulls air (or something else) from a container.

I wouldn't use the pump since it isn't built to have any pressure/resistance on the outbound air.

Cool idea, but personally I would say no. Your pump uses a lot of energy. Aquarium aeration pumps pull a fraction of that, like 5-10%. You would also need an inline trap/filter to capture any exhaust oil. So I don't think it's a good fit.

You can often buy used aquarium air pumps for cheap. Fish fanatics upgrade, and then have a ton of old but perfectly functional gear they want to unload.