Aqua Lifter Vacuum Pump

jdmara · 12/12/2005, 08:24 PM

Has anyone ever used one of these? I would like to use one for my DIY PVC overflow

Aqua Lifter Vacuum Pump

want2reef · 12/12/2005, 08:27 PM

I have been using one to drip kalk for a couple of months.

Kevin

jdmara · 12/12/2005, 08:33 PM

are they made well? Had any problems? Do you think if I connected it to the top of my overflow it would keep the air out of the line? Thanks for the quite reply

WessB · 12/12/2005, 08:45 PM

I have been using one for an auto top off for some 9 months with no problems at all..when I had my nano cube setup, I used one for exactly what you are saying...I slipped an air line from the bottom up to the top of my U tube to keep the air out and it worked fine, I had the output side of the tubing dumping back into the overflow chamber so I wouldn`t end up siphoning the tank ...HTH

Wess

trstange · 12/12/2005, 08:45 PM

I use one for auto-topoff and have never had a problem.

want2reef · 12/12/2005, 08:48 PM

I've had no probs. yet it has only been 2 months.

Kevin

jdmara · 12/12/2005, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by WessB
I have been using one for an auto top off for some 9 months with no problems at all..when I had my nano cube setup, I used one for exactly what you are saying...I slipped an air line from the bottom up to the top of my U tube to keep the air out and it worked fine, I had the output side of the tubing dumping back into the overflow chamber so I wouldn`t end up siphoning the tank ...HTH

Wess

So you "fish-ed" a tube up the pvc and sucked out the air? You didn't have it attached to the peak all the time?

WessB · 12/12/2005, 09:00 PM

I used one of those clear acrylic u tubes and just stuck a piece of air line into the end of the U tube that was in the overflow box and fed enough of it in so that it went to the very top of the u tube and it kept all of the accumulated air out of the u tube...and by dumping the outlet of the pump back in to the same overflow box it could only draw the tank overflow down to the bottom of that part of the U tube and then would suck air...if that makes any sense...not attached to the peak..more like shoved up to the peak....

Wess

Galford · 12/12/2005, 09:04 PM

I just ordered one myself - I figured for $12.00 how could I go wrong?
I'm going to use mine for an auto topoff. From what I understand they work great with the following overflows also:

One Piece Overflow

Been thinking about picking one up myself and converting over from the traditional U tube.

trstange · 12/12/2005, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Galford
I just ordered one myself - I figured for $12.00 how could I go wrong?
I'm going to use mine for an auto topoff. From what I understand they work great with the following overflows also:

One Piece Overflow

Been thinking about picking one up myself and converting over from the traditional U tube.

order the filter too, cheap insurance.

Galford · 12/12/2005, 09:10 PM

I saw that but is it really worth if if all I am doing is dosing RO/DI? Other problem is I have already placed my order.... DOH!

jdmara · 12/12/2005, 09:12 PM

I remember reading that people were having problems with those overflows. That is why I made my own. Can't remember where I read it though

Galford · 12/12/2005, 09:15 PM

That would probably explain the price... Well I would do a search for some more information on the topic but search seems to be out of the question for those of us that aren't memebers or at least it has been for me for the last week.

trstange · 12/12/2005, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Galford
I saw that but is it really worth if if all I am doing is dosing RO/DI? Other problem is I have already placed my order.... DOH!

I'll dose some kalk once in a while with my ro water. Like I said, cheap insurance. Can you call and have them add it?

Galford · 12/12/2005, 09:25 PM

Already shipped this afternoon so I guess I'll catch an order with a member of the local club soon.

chrisguy · 12/12/2005, 09:30 PM

My only caution on the aqua lifters is to check the hose connections. I am not blaming the pump as it was likely user error but one hose disconnected from my Aqua Lifter at 5:00am this past Sunday and I ended up with 6-8 gallons of water siphoned out into my dining room. I found it because my auto top off has an alarm when the reservoir is empty. That went off when the 6-8 gallons in the reservoir drained out. When the hose disconnected it fell down and started a siphon.

jdmara · 12/12/2005, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by chrisguy
My only caution on the aqua lifters is to check the hose connections. I am not blaming the pump as it was likely user error but one hose disconnected from my Aqua Lifter at 5:00am this past Sunday and I ended up with 6-8 gallons of water siphoned out into my dining room. I found it because my auto top off has an alarm when the reservoir is empty. That went off when the 6-8 gallons in the reservoir drained out. When the hose disconnected it fell down and started a siphon.

What are you using your aqua lifer on?

Paul79936 · 12/12/2005, 09:59 PM

I use an air stone for a filter. It also helps keep the tubing at the bottom of the top off water reservoir.

roader247 · 12/12/2005, 10:22 PM

I used one for about a year on a CPR overflow with no problems

jdmara · 12/12/2005, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by roader247
I used one for about a year on a CPR overflow with no problems

Do you get a lot of algae growth in the overflow?

scottfarcuz · 12/12/2005, 10:43 PM

I've been topping off with kalk since early last spring with an aqualifter. I've had no problems, but I did clean it once.

sseaner · 12/13/2005, 09:28 AM

They are great and cheap. The only advice is that if you are pumping Kalk to getthe filter. I use my to push water through my kalk reactor and it has worked well now for over a year.

szeth13 · 12/13/2005, 08:10 PM

one day for some reason my aqualiter decided that it wanted to blow out both sides and NOT suck in one and out the other. but it was pretty old

Lakeside518 · 12/13/2005, 08:49 PM

I just ordered one yesterday for my CPR over flow.. If you loose power will automatically prime overflow for you. I have an air line tubing running down from overflow into sump. After turning power off and back on it doesn't reprime. I have to suck on it and pull the air out.

Water trickles into sump and pulls and air that enters overflow out. Annoying and gotta be a better way!... --->> Get an Aqua Lifter!!!

sjm817 · 12/13/2005, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Lakeside518
I just ordered one yesterday for my CPR over flow.. Annoying and gotta be a better way

There is. Get an overflow that doesn't need one!

12/12/2005, 08:24 PM	#1
jdmara Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Lexington, Kentucky Posts: 61	Aqua Lifter Vacuum Pump Has anyone ever used one of these? I would like to use one for my DIY PVC overflow Aqua Lifter Vacuum Pump

12/12/2005, 08:27 PM	#2
want2reef Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Tracy CA. Posts: 1,353	I have been using one to drip kalk for a couple of months. Kevin __________________ Kevin The early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese. Current Tank Info: CADlights Artison II 165g, 50g sump,Aquamaxx Q-3 Skimmer, AI Hydra 26 HD.

12/12/2005, 08:45 PM	#5
trstange Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: 41°35'45.83" N 72°53'25.27" W Posts: 1,717	I use one for auto-topoff and have never had a problem. __________________ Tom Stange - If corn oil comes from corn, where does baby oil come from? Current Tank Info: 30 gallon fresh water planted, 75 gallon reef, 8000 gallon koi pond

12/12/2005, 08:48 PM	#6
want2reef Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Tracy CA. Posts: 1,353	I've had no probs. yet it has only been 2 months. Kevin __________________ Kevin The early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese. Current Tank Info: CADlights Artison II 165g, 50g sump,Aquamaxx Q-3 Skimmer, AI Hydra 26 HD.

12/12/2005, 09:30 PM	#16
chrisguy Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Grand Island, NY Posts: 2,277	My only caution on the aqua lifters is to check the hose connections. I am not blaming the pump as it was likely user error but one hose disconnected from my Aqua Lifter at 5:00am this past Sunday and I ended up with 6-8 gallons of water siphoned out into my dining room. I found it because my auto top off has an alarm when the reservoir is empty. That went off when the 6-8 gallons in the reservoir drained out. When the hose disconnected it fell down and started a siphon. __________________ Chris My son said I should have been a potato bug farmer. Pickles are cucumbers soaked in EVIL!! Current Tank Info: I got nothin

12/12/2005, 08:33 PM	#3
jdmara Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Lexington, Kentucky Posts: 61	are they made well? Had any problems? Do you think if I connected it to the top of my overflow it would keep the air out of the line? Thanks for the quite reply

12/12/2005, 08:45 PM	#4
WessB Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: College Park, Md Posts: 94	I have been using one for an auto top off for some 9 months with no problems at all..when I had my nano cube setup, I used one for exactly what you are saying...I slipped an air line from the bottom up to the top of my U tube to keep the air out and it worked fine, I had the output side of the tubing dumping back into the overflow chamber so I wouldn`t end up siphoning the tank ...HTH Wess

12/12/2005, 09:00 PM	#8
WessB Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: College Park, Md Posts: 94	I used one of those clear acrylic u tubes and just stuck a piece of air line into the end of the U tube that was in the overflow box and fed enough of it in so that it went to the very top of the u tube and it kept all of the accumulated air out of the u tube...and by dumping the outlet of the pump back in to the same overflow box it could only draw the tank overflow down to the bottom of that part of the U tube and then would suck air...if that makes any sense...not attached to the peak..more like shoved up to the peak.... Wess

12/12/2005, 09:04 PM	#9
Galford Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Thornton, CO Posts: 116	I just ordered one myself - I figured for $12.00 how could I go wrong? I'm going to use mine for an auto topoff. From what I understand they work great with the following overflows also: One Piece Overflow Been thinking about picking one up myself and converting over from the traditional U tube.

12/12/2005, 09:10 PM	#11
Galford Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Thornton, CO Posts: 116	I saw that but is it really worth if if all I am doing is dosing RO/DI? Other problem is I have already placed my order.... DOH!

12/12/2005, 09:12 PM	#12
jdmara Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Lexington, Kentucky Posts: 61	I remember reading that people were having problems with those overflows. That is why I made my own. Can't remember where I read it though

12/12/2005, 09:15 PM	#13
Galford Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Thornton, CO Posts: 116	That would probably explain the price... Well I would do a search for some more information on the topic but search seems to be out of the question for those of us that aren't memebers or at least it has been for me for the last week.

12/12/2005, 09:25 PM	#15
Galford Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Thornton, CO Posts: 116	Already shipped this afternoon so I guess I'll catch an order with a member of the local club soon.

12/12/2005, 09:59 PM	#18
Paul79936 Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Brevard FL Posts: 536	I use an air stone for a filter. It also helps keep the tubing at the bottom of the top off water reservoir.

12/12/2005, 10:22 PM	#19
roader247 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Athens GA Posts: 657	I used one for about a year on a CPR overflow with no problems __________________ Old Enough too Know Better But Young Enough Too Do It Anyway Mark Current Tank Info: 1 75 gallon fish only marine tank 1 55 fresh water tank and 1 29 gallon fresh tank

12/12/2005, 10:43 PM	#21
scottfarcuz Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Ohio Posts: 2,610	I've been topping off with kalk since early last spring with an aqualifter. I've had no problems, but I did clean it once.

12/13/2005, 09:28 AM	#22
sseaner Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Mandeville, LA Posts: 343	They are great and cheap. The only advice is that if you are pumping Kalk to getthe filter. I use my to push water through my kalk reactor and it has worked well now for over a year. __________________ Airplanes don't kill people, gravity does! Current Tank Info: 120 Gallon Reef Savvy Rimless, RKE, DIY auto topoff, DIY custom acrylic sump, 48" Metis Hyperion LED

12/13/2005, 08:10 PM	#23
szeth13 Moved On Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: pine hill nj Posts: 553	one day for some reason my aqualiter decided that it wanted to blow out both sides and NOT suck in one and out the other. but it was pretty old

12/13/2005, 08:49 PM	#24
Lakeside518 Clownfish Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Clifton Park Posts: 1,362	I just ordered one yesterday for my CPR over flow.. If you loose power will automatically prime overflow for you. I have an air line tubing running down from overflow into sump. After turning power off and back on it doesn't reprime. I have to suck on it and pull the air out. Water trickles into sump and pulls and air that enters overflow out. Annoying and gotta be a better way!... --->> Get an Aqua Lifter!!! __________________ Zim Current Tank Info: 65 gal, LED lighting, Reef octopus 2000 HOB skimmer, Eheim G160 canister,Tunze nano 6055 w/ controller