compressor noise

I had a large fish tank pump that vibrated like crazy years ago. I tried everything short of shutting it down. Here's what finally worked the best (hope I can explain it ok):

• Two pieces of particle board (denser than plywood = less transmitted vibration).
• Sandwiched them together with some Chevy swaybar link bushings (rubber bushings).
• Loosly mounted the pump on the top board with rubber bushings.
• Made a vented box (particle board), weighted the bottom down, placed pump & platform in box.
• Placed box on thick carpet padding on carpeted floor.

Everyone seemed happy, even my neighbors down stairs.

The trick seemed to be getting the box anchored down. Even though I had used two layers of bushings to absorb the vibration, it was still transmitted to the box. Yes, I first tried it without a box straight on the floor. Once I stepped my toes on the bottom board the vibration subsided. So I knew I had to anchor it down somehow. Just like the large compressors in the garages.

Good luck!

Just had a thought!

You could always hang it from the ceiling using a long bungee cord! That should absorb the vibration and not piss-off your upstairs neighbors if you have any. 

If you have someplace to mount it, it is very simple to eliminate vibration.   Buy four extra long Lag Bolts, drill holes through the feet of the compressor and mounting surface.  Get eight large rubber bushings, eight large flat washers, four heavy duty springs.  Run the bolts up through the mounting surface, add one bushing, flat washer, spring, flat washer, & bushing per bolt.  You may have to compress the spring to mount the compressor to them.  Then secure with nuts, making sure you have tightned each the same amount. 

For some reason it also cuts down on the compressor noise as well as vibration.