watermovement using airlifts?

[sps_addict]

Since I've had an ordeal with several of my frag systems, I was thinking of redesigning it, by reducing the cost of some of the equipment. I've been hearing about airlifts, but I cannot find any good detailed information on how to create the system and how it works. any help will be appreciated.

Thanks,
Steve

[123and456]

they are very simple to make and use pretty much just take some pvc pipe and put a 90 degree elbow on it drill a hole the size of rigid air line tubing where the elbow bends and insert the air line to about the bottom of the pipe.

Thats the simple part figuring out what size of pipe and how much air to use is the complex part. I would say that a good size to start with would be around 1.5" to 2" depending on how big your tank is that your putting it in.

There is some good reading about airlifts somewhere on this site but I dont have them bookmarked. Hope that will get you started

[sps_addict]

thanks

[Kentanner11]

Yea, 2 is about good but If you want some real airflow you will need a really big pump. well I guess you could call it a blower. will you use a plenium? or just these to move water?

[sps_addict]

I was thinking just to move water.
I am looking at purchasing the sweetwater pumps.

These ones in particular.
http://www.aquaticeco.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/product.detail/iid/21789/cid/3894

[raaden]

If you do a bit of investigation you can find quite a bit of info on airlifts around... they will do great for water movement, but contrary to the name they will not do so well for moving water above the water line. make sure you are using larger than normal air line as the bigger the bubble the better the flow.

One other thing is to use a series of 45's or sweep instead of the 90 and you will get much better flow.

[123and456]

raaden how do you setup your 45's on your air lifts?

[raaden]

Just run the 45's in succession and have the top of the second 45 sticking about 50% out of the water. Using a sweep is better (= greater flow) but they cost a bit more.

The flow characteristics of a 90 are pretty bad compared to using double 45's. IIRC it is about 2.5x less pressure loss. A sweep will add about 1.3x less pressure loss over the 45's as well.

[Philip Root]

What type of coral are you looking at growing with them?

[sps_addict]

Thanks for the great information. Still doing some research.

I am looking to grow mainly LPS and SPS. The electrical cost here running pumps, lighting, etc is getting overwhelming, so we are looking at different alternatives to everything.

[dleggett]

The various threads that I've read about air lifts "seem" to indicate that air lifts are more energy efficient than centrifugal pumps for moving water. (I assume that there are lots of design factors that affect efficiency.)

My question is: Does it appear that air lifts are more energy efficient than the propeller pumps that are on the market?