Could I run two Aqua Lifter pumps in series?

[trmiv]

I currently does kalk with an aqua-lifter pump, it's worked great but I recently changed to a new top-off container which requires me to dose into my overflow. The aqua-lifter is having a lot of trouble with the amount of head pressure in pumping up that high. Basically it is sucking from a 32g top off container (27" tall), down to the pump, and then pumping up 55" to the overflow. That's a lot to ask for this little pump. It does it, but during the course of the day, the drip slows to a crawl.

So I'm wondering, could I use two in series to boost the output? Basically I'd have one on top of the top off container that would suck water up, and then push it to the second aqua-lifter that would then pump it up to the tank.

Am I crazy, or would this work? These things are so cheap, if this will work I can just get another one shipped for like $16, or I can spring for an AquaMedic SP3000 for $100 shipped which would handle this by itself.

[sjm817]

Does it make any difference if you put the Aqualifter higher up?

[Saltz Creep]

Should work.

[trmiv]

Originally posted by sjm817
Does it make any difference if you put the Aqualifter higher up?

No, because then is has a hard time sucking the water up that high. Either way it struggles.

I'm going to try it. If it doesn't work all I've got is a spare Aqua-Lifter.

[sjm817]

I would give it a try. Cheap enough and like you said, you have a spare if nothing else.

[trmiv]

I went ahead and ordered it, we'll see how it works.

[Jagermeister]

So did it work?

[trmiv]

Yep, it's worked great for the past 9 months. Soon to be replaced with a peristaltic pump though, because I now need to pump across the room and the two aqua-lifters can't handle that.