Aqualifters for top off.

[Kannin]

I built an auto top off system with two 5 gallon buckets (one with calcium and one with alk supp), two digital timers and two aqualifters.

One problem... when the pumps shut off, the pumps continue to syphon. I poked little holes in the airline tubing inside the bucket (before the pump but, they don't draw enough air to break the syphon.

Has anyone run into this?

Any ideas??? Maybe more holes?

[OneReef]

I think it has to do with the pump and hose height, but someone with one in action can chime in. I am interested as I am about to set up an ATO with this pump.

[dcs03tx]

place the pump higher than both the supply and feed lines

[Kannin]

The pump is higher but, maybe not high enough.

[LobsterOfJustice]

The outlet of the topoff hose has to be higher than the water level in the topoff reservior.

[dcs03tx]

yea thats what I meant lol

[csb]

It will siphon no matter how high the aqualifter is placed.

To prevent a siphon, just make sure the outlet tubing is above water. If it is submerged, it will cause a siphon. Also, the source water should be near the same level as the output side. If it is much higher, it can drain out even if the outlet tubing is above water. This is partially caused by the small tubing diameter, capillary effect, gravity and other factors.

[vanmo92]

As long as the output side is above the level of water in the buckets, it should not do that.

[Kannin]

Sorry... Took me 15 minutes to upload picks... Here it is . You can see that the buckets are higher than the sump and the pumps are sitting on top of the buckets...
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w172/Kannin_photos/100_1625.jpg

[MR PALM BEACH]

To give you an Idea on where I have mine placed, also This ATO Is courtesy of melevsreef.com works like a champ!
http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i77/kurtschubler/DSC04147.jpg

[AquamanE]

Excellent idea mr. palm beach. where did you get float switch?

[tpenn187]

if your hose that is going into the sump from the aqualifter is under water then it will siphon, just make sure that it is not under water. this is what i did and i have no siphoning.

[Kannin]

It is not under water. I think I am going to build a shelf up higher and poke another hole in the tubing.

[LockeOak]

My setup is almost identical to Mr Palm Beach, using an ATO system from aquahub.com that looks very similar. Works perfectly.

[MR PALM BEACH]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11941804#post11941804 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by AquamanE
Excellent idea mr. palm beach. where did you get float switch?

http://www.aquahub.com/store/index.html

Here It Is http://www.melevsreef.com/plumbing/auto_topoff.html

[sjm817]

Put a piece of PVC pipe in the sump that is higher than the top of the topoff container. Put your topoff line into the top of that and do something to hold it there.

[Kannin]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11942720#post11942720 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sjm817
Put a piece of PVC pipe in the sump that is higher than the top of the topoff container. Put your topoff line into the top of that and do something to hold it there.

Now that's what I'm talkin about... Can you tell me what my wife means when she says she wants to talk?