Aqualifter Top Off

[thickerson]

Hello,

I have a ultralife float switch, and a aqualifter combined to make a top off system. It works, but once the water gets up to the float switch the system chatters (goes off and on several times a second). Is there some modification that will eliminate this?

 

[thickerson]

I guess I should say what these are incase people don't know. The ultralife float switch is a complete relay power cords, and float switch. When the water drops down it turns on power to what ever you plug in. The aqualifter is a water pump that looks like an air pump. It can pump 3 gph and up to 30". This would probably all work it I substituted a power head since the water would come in quick enough to get the float switch past were the float switch starts chattering. However, Iââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢d like to stay with the aqualifter.

 

[sjm817]

I had the same setup. I still use the Aqualifter, but the Ultralife was a POS. It went up in smoke. Even when it worked, it has no hysteresis window which is causing the problem you are seeing. I replaced it with a Reefantic dual float switch unit which is much nicer. It is made much better and has a built in hysteresis so you dont get the pump turning off and on constantly

 

[Goneracin]

would you have a link for the duel float switch?

 

[sjm817]

Reef Fanatic Level Controller w/2 Float Switches

 

[thickerson]

Is there a way to do this with a single float switch, and the aqualifter?

 

[kabal2]

I have my top off with the aqualifter and mine don't go on and off like crazy, or id doesn't make sound so I cant hear it, try to change the float switch

 

[thickerson]

Kabal2,

Did you buy a top off system, or did you build a circuit to control it? If you bought it what did you buy, and if you built it do you have some sort of time delay between intervals, or just a relay to turn the aqualifter off and on?

Thanks

 

[bassnman11]

I use a manual float on mine as a backup. The aqualifter is controlled by a timer. I Ted the line and it supplies a 20 and a 55 reef. Works great. You just need to fiddle with the timing at first.

 

[kabal2]

no relay just straight up, and i have mine in a timer as well, it just go on two times a day for 15 minutes.

 

[thickerson]

Bassnman11,

What kind of timer like one on the lights on at 1 off at 10, only you just run the aqualifter so many min / day? Is the backup float to prevent overflows or?

 

[kabal2]

ok I have my kalkwasser reactor set up for my top off, so what I do is to prevent overflowing I used a timer and like that I can have it to be on just at night, that way all you can pour in your tank will be less than a gallon if your float switch gets stuck

 

[carolinareefs]

I use the aqualifter with airline tubing and a cheap green valve on the end to control the flow. Just set it to drip about 8-9 drops every 10 seconds or so (for every gallon of evaporation a day). I have a 55 gallon with 10 gallon sump so I use 8-9 every 10 seconds. This replaces the evaporating water and I have never had an issue. Don't have to worry about float switches or anything. Simple, easy and nothing to "go wrong".

 

[kabal2]

how often do you have to check the drip?? those green cheap valves are a pain, you have make adjustments almost every other day

 

[cherubfish pair]

I want to use an aqualifter on my auto-topoff. The fresh water resevoir will be same hieght as display tank and run an airline tube down into my sump.
How do I keep the freshwater from siphoning once the aqualifter is switched off?

 

[carolinareefs]

I rarely have to adjust the drip. The only time I do is when it starts getting warmer in the summer and evaporation increases. Other than that, seems to work well. You can also get some nicer valves that can control the drip better, usually under $10.

 

[cherubfish pair]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6991179#post6991179 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by the cattleman
How do I keep the freshwater from siphoning once the aqualifter is switched off?

I'm going to try a check valve. Once the pump is turned off the airline check valve should be strong enough to prevent siphoning.