Air Lifts...

[JNicho]

Hello all...I've been a bit of a lurker here...I'm active on some other more local forums, but have been slow to participate here.

Anyway, a quick background...I've been an aquarist for 20+ years and I'm planning a new build...part of which will include a much larger frag tank than what I have now...I'm trying to plan this as "green" as possible...I've seen some larger prop tanks that use air lifts for flow...the large "commercial" air pumps seem to be quite inexpensive to purchase and very efficient to run (some less than 10watts)...just wondering if anyone has any experience with this...I understand the principle from way back when we used UGF's, but I'm not sure how to actually do it, if it's even feasible in a long shallow frag tank.

Thanks!

[dendronepthya]

They are very efficient ways to move water with the added benefit of not having any electronics submerged. They also last a lot longer than water pumps. On the other hand, you may have issues with salt creep and if you are doing an application where cold temperatures are something you have to fight against, the air lifts cool the water significantly.

[JNicho]

Thanks for the reply...I've read some of your GH build threads, which is actually one of the places I saw the idea...this will be in a basement...I'm aware of the noise and salt creep issues and those did not bother me too much...as a typical basement it is cooler, but not cold...that is a good consideration though...the added heating could be an offset to the potential cost savings...I was actually looking at submersible pumps as one option as I think every watt in a submersible pump is eventually converted to heat...since I'm expecting to need some level of heating in a basement application, I thought this might offset some of the demand for heaters.

Hmm...decisions decisions.

[badguitarist]

when you say your tank is shallow how shallow do you mean? Airlifts work better in deep tanks.

[dendronepthya]

Yes, deeper is definitely better, though I could see it working if you placed the height just right so the bubbles blow across the top of the water.

[JNicho]

The tank I'm looking at would only be 10"-12" of water depth...that was one of the things I was wondering about...I know more depth is better and I wasn't sure that shallow was even feasible.

[tabwyo]

I am looking into airlifts as well. I'd like to build a couple into the rock wall I am putting in my new display. What is the best way to minimize the creep??

[mdemuth]

I have read that putting bridal veil on the output cuts down on the creep. It needs to be changed from time to time though.

[DThompson]

How do these air lifts work? This is pretty foreign to me. I have seen it mentioned before just never really have it much thought.

[badguitarist]

That 10-12 inch depth is pretty shallow for airlifts but they are so cheap to build (with pvc) it would probably be worth at least trying them out. otherwise some of the newer powerheads are very energy efficiant,
Kyle

[Daemonfly]

I've considered air lifts for my new frag tank build, but am weighing them against the newer stream-style powerheads available nowadays.

Is the power usage difference big enough to make the extra salt-creep, evap, and a bit more noise of airlifts worth it over stream-style powerheads?

[dendronepthya]

It's a matter of scale. If you have 1000 gallons that you want to provide circulation for, a linear piston air pump will move tons of water for about 90W electrical consumption. To get something similar from powerheads, you would have to use up maybe 400-800W of power. On top of that, a linear piston pump will work for about 15 years while you may have to replace the powerheads every year.

[mech0522]

can some one give me a site so i can understand what a airlift is and how it works

[RossW]

http://www.google.ca/search?sourceid=navclient&aq=0&oq=air+lift+aq&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4GGLL_enCA352CA353&q=airlift+aquarium

[mech0522]

thanks has anyone tried it in 12 tall tank ??

[JVJordan]

Can anyone reference volume of water moved per unit time per unit of energy consumed for:



Airlift with Linear Piston Pump
Airlift with Regenerative Blower
Propeller Style Powerheads


I know closed loops are horrendous so no need to consider them :worried:

[JNicho]

After much deliberation and research I have decided propeller powerheads probably offer the best bang for buck for my needs...if I had larger deeper tanks I would go for air lifts in a heart beat.

[strout]

Welcome to RC JNicho, 20+ years of keeping SW tanks, we can learn alot from you I think.

[reefnut guy]

Wow, I am getting ready to set up a 180 on a limited budget . I am trying to get my arms around the machanics . I dont have very long arms . I would like to see this thread continue

[JNicho]

Welcome to RC JNicho, 20+ years of keeping SW tanks, we can learn alot from you I think.

Thanks for the welcome! I've made my share of mistakes in 20 years, so maybe I can offer a few pointers here and there, LOL!

[Flamehawk1221]

Saltcreep, saltcreep, saltcreep!!!

In the end propeller pumps (tunze, Korallias, MaxiMods) are more versatile as far as placement and will be just if not more energy efficient per gph moved.

[Scott Wilson]

FOOD FOR THOUGHT ON AIR

One thing to consider is water temp to air temp differences. If your room temperature is a lot cooler than the desired water temp. If you are moving a lot of water too it will be hard to keep your water temperature up. There is a lot of evap. cooling and the cold air effect in the Jacuzzi is real I know a local guy who removed his exclusively air powered setup on a 400 gall on display with multiple sumps. He spent too much heating the tank so he removed the air lift.

air lifts work great in large greenhouse setups where the water volume is very large and the air tends to be warm as well. BUt in a house around 72° and an 80° tank you will be surprised how much the air cools it esp. if your house gets older at night.