a 1/4" air line is not sufficient for that sized pump. It is designed to handle multiple 1/4" lines. You could use a section of garden hose for an air line or go to lowes and buy some 1/2" clear tubing. The 1/4" line put too much back pressure on the pump and may have blown the diaphram in there. The Dolphin AV-50 can sit in the rain....mine have for several years now with no ill effects. But yours is an AV-50? Not sure if it has a weather proof housing or not. How much do you want for the dolphin? I many be interested in it. Or you can try craig's list.

Some trivia, since I'm still in the initial excitement phase.... Have notice that when my existing ref. ice-bin is stocked with these little cubes instead of its own crescent-shaped cubes, the dispenser doesn't spit them all over the kitchen like it used to. Easy/predictable dispensing for once. Suspect related to size/shape of the new cubes but, man, what a relief. (Whirlpool Gold side-by-side frig. I've got two of them at different locations and both of the ice dispensers have always done this.) For the price, thinking I might get a second unit for the second location. Also pleased to find the little machine makes ice at about 4x the rate of the unit in the ref. -- and I'm including bagging/re-freezing time in that number. In the past, I've often run out of ice from the frig when I've had company. When I knew I was going to have guests, I often went out and purchased a bag of ice to make sure I wouldn't run out. Appears to me, this machine may obviate that occasional need. @jeri.....have also noticed that that little indent on one side of the cubes feels wonderful in the mouth. Tip of the tongue fits right in there. Very pleasing sensation. OK, I'm over it.

Hello Briamira, I live is Tx too(Dallas) and find myself in the same situation as you were in April. I have been quoted exactly the models you were quoted. My qoutes and prices are as follows: Option 1: Trane 3 Ton XR16 Air conditioner with 2 stage compressor, XV 80 2 stage gas furnace with variable speed fan, high efficiency comfort coil with TXV, and TCONT803 touchscreen control with dehumidification feature. System rated for 16 SEER and 13 EER. $6500 Option 2: Trane 3 Ton XR 15 Air conditioner, XV80 2 stage gas furnace with VS fan, cased comfort coil with TXV, and TCONT803 $5700 My question is which system do you choose and how do you like its perfomance ? By the way how big is the space you are cooling? Trying get my confusion cleared too. Thanks

There's other kind of layering, for specific plant, or for specific purpose. For papaya, half cut the trunk will work. For big branch fruit plants or bonsai that need big interesting root, big root grafted to branch then air layered is doable.