Aqualifter Pumping Distance

[sedor]

Currently I am using my aqualifter under my stand connected to a 5G bucket for ATO. I would like to upgrade that 5G bucket to something much larger, but that will have to go in the closet. I'll need to use maybe 5 feet of tubing. It won't be going upward the whole time, more or less just having to climb the tube in the storage bucket and then fall down, travel across the edge of the wall a couple feet and then meet up with the pump to travel into the sump.

Is this something that can be done with an aqualifter or will I have to use another pump. I'd like to keep the aqualifter if at all possible because I really like how it doesn't shoot the water into the sump. Again the distance of the storage bin to the tank is about 5 feet.

 

[sjm817]

Try it. If it doesn't cut it, you can put two of them in series.

 

[sedor]

I don't think I want a train of aqualifters running across my office lol, but I guess trying it out is the only way to see if it works. If not i'll have to go the more powerful pump + gate valve direction.

 

[sjm817]

You can put them right next to each other.

 

[sedor]

Oh really? So basically just connect the two with really short tubing and it will double the pulling power?

 

[sjm817]

Yup. Just enough tubing to connect them in series. I have to go 5' vertical for my ATO which one wont do, but two will. Works great.

 

[james3370]

autotopoff.com's website lists the head height for the various ato pumps they sell. they have 2 fairly reasonable options above the aqualifter......

http://www.autotopoff.com/pumps/

 

[sedor]

Wow thanks James, that may just be the answer I was looking for

 

[james3370]

yeah, the next step up pump is cheaper than (2) aqualifters....& i'd assume a tad bit power usage (not to mention one less damn cord to have to deal with LOL)

 

[sjm817]

I like the Aqualifters because I topoff with Kalk. They are one of the few pumps that will run a long time pumping Kalk. Submersibles dont seem to fare so well. Another nice thing is they can run dry and pump air with no harm to the pump, which is not true with a submersible. If you already have one, its another $12.

 

[Bandsaw]

You say your container is going to be about 5 feet away from youjr tank. How deep is the container? Another option you have is to use a maxijet with a ball valve to restict flow. I use a Maxijet 1200 with a ball valve on my ato. The fresh water/lime water supply is about 3 feet away is holds 32 gallons of water. I've had to change the impeller once in 4 years (lime water issue). That is what has worked for me.

 

[OCRick]

I think one aqualifter pump should work, as long as you don't exceed a 2.5' vertical height on the suction side and a 2.5' vertical height on the output side.

 

[Robamus]

I use one to go from the garage through the closet, to the sump... Like 8' I guess. Not a whole lot of lift because its coming from a 55Gal storage drum outside and the water level in that is actually higher then the sump. If I dont keep theend of the tube from the aqualifter at that level or higher the flow will continue with the power off.

Point is, mine goes pretty far.

 

[sedor]

Ya, I went ahead and set it all up today and its working great. I did drill a hole in top of my return spout to break a siphon in case one might occur but from all the testing i've done I don't think that will happen.

I think I am going to use aqualifter as dosing pumps when I get my controller as well.

 

[sjm817]

I would not recommend using Aqualifters as dosing pumps. They are not accurate enough. I use a pair of Drews pumps for that.

 

[sedor]

I read an article yesterday about using AL pumps as dosing, and it basically said all you need to do is put a airline valve on the outlet tube, then use a measuring device to adjust the valve until you are filling the cup 5ml in a minute. Then you've got a formula to use and you can adjust how many minutes you turn the pump on in order to dose.

For around $30 it seems like its worth a try. I would only want to try it on a trusted controller though, wouldn't want to risk a timer malfunction and overdosing the tank. Although aqualifters do have that handy little adjustment knob where you can set the pump to automatically turn off after a set interval of time.

 

[sjm817]

My aqualifters pump way less when my 44G gets to the bottom than when it is full. Maybe out of a small container it would work.

What handy adjustment knob are you talking about? I've never seen it.

 

[sedor]

That's a good point...
And oops, I was thinking of the adjustment knob on my JBJ ATO, I went and unscrewed my AL and everything looking for that thing lol, I was like I knew i've seen it before! So, no it doesn't have a failsafe like that.