Auto top off pump

[itz frank]

What are you guys using? I have a jbj ato with an aqua lifter for the pump and I'm finding the ato timing out frequently. I have my timer set up for 14 minutes which is the max and I still have to reset it from time to time. This morning I woke up to bubbles spraying from my return.

I'm ok with checking it daily but I'm pretty sure there is an easier way.

 

[JamesWang]

Id say a nice Cobalt MJ pump. What head height/horizontal height are you running from the ATO supply to the sump?

 

[itz frank]

My reservoir sits right below the Aqua lifter. When empty it might be drawing from 1.5 ft below it. Then the line runs almost straight down to my sump.

 

[JamesWang]

I would say a Sicce Micro pump or Cobalt MJ, depending on the size of your tank and the daily top off requirements.

 

[mrx66699]

Litermeter iii

 

[JamesWang]

LiteMeter is PRICYYYY- he's just looking for a pump I think

 

[mrx66699]

I can see you're not familiar with the product......so before just jumping to conclusions because of name brand ......same price range as avastmarine, tunze, autoaqua smart, jbj, autotopoff.com ...........all in the $100-$200 range

http://spectrapure.com/DOSING-TOP-OFF/AUTO-TOP-OFF-SYSTEMS/Basic-Auto-Top-Off-Sytem

although I do prefer this one and yes it is a little more but your getting a programmable pump that can be used in multiple applications if chosen not just as top off

http://spectrapure.com/DOSING-TOP-O...op-Off-System-UPLC-II-Liquid-Level-Controller

and they come with a 5 year warranty not just a standard 2 year

 

[JamesWang]

Both you listed are full setups and over $170. The OP just asked for a new pump for his JBJ ATO, which should be <$40

 

[mrx66699]

No his first question in the OP states

What are you guys using?
I'm ok with checking it daily but I'm pretty sure there is an easier way.

what are you using? and then he says there has to be an easier way? Which implies > What am I using, and how do I like it, why or why not ....not trying to discredit you on the small pump, you are correct a cheapy small pump is inexpensive but that was not the OP


Frank in that OP you said you were having problems with the timing....what kind of switches (air pressure or float) are you using?

 

[AquamanE]

Aqualifter. They require occasional cleaning like all pumps. I run Pure Vinegar through them a few times per year. I also have extra Diaphrams (the only thing that goes wrong with them), and get them for a few dollars from BRS.

 

[itz frank]

No his first question in the OP states



what are you using? and then he says there has to be an easier way? Which implies > What am I using, and how do I like it, why or why not ....not trying to discredit you on the small pump, you are correct a cheapy small pump is inexpensive but that was not the OP


Frank in that OP you said you were having problems with the timing....what kind of switches (air pressure or float) are you using?

It's the float switches from the jbj ato. The pump being used is an aqua lifter.

The ato has an internal timer which comes from factory at 3min. I have mine set to max which is 14min.

 

[itz frank]

Aqualifter. They require occasional cleaning like all pumps. I run Pure Vinegar through them a few times per year. I also have extra Diaphrams (the only thing that goes wrong with them), and get them for a few dollars from BRS.

Don't think it needs cleaning. It was new until I started using it a week ago.

 

[Deep Reef]

I had the same issue. Took out the lifter and dropped a small Rio pump into the top off tank

 

[Deep Reef]

Oh I had also had called JBJ and they no longer recommend the lifter for years with their unit

 

[itz frank]

Oh I had also had called JBJ and they no longer recommend the lifter for years with their unit

Are you just running tubing from the pump? I'm trying to avoid gravity feeding the sumo after the pump turns off.

 

[AquamanE]

Frank- it sounds like the issue is the timer. Since you cant get away from that with your ATO, I concur with others to use a small pump. I like the aqualifter because it is slow, and I use kalk. This prevents PH swings.

It is all also very dependent on you jbj ATO's sensitivity. My autotopoff com unit is very sensitive, in other words the ATO turns on quite frequently instead of pouring a few gallons at a time.

If you use KALK and put a pump in there you will need to clean it often as kalk is terrible on submersed pumps.

IMHO

 

[itz frank]

Frank- it sounds like the issue is the timer. Since you cant get away from that with your ATO, I concur with others to use a small pump. I like the aqualifter because it is slow, and I use kalk. This prevents PH swings.

It is all also very dependent on you jbj ATO's sensitivity. My autotopoff com unit is very sensitive, in other words the ATO turns on quite frequently instead of pouring a few gallons at a time.

If you use KALK and put a pump in there you will need to clean it often as kalk is terrible on submersed pumps.

IMHO

The problem is that I have the flood timer maxed out. Can't go any longer than 14minutes. But I feel like the aqua lifter should handle the flow with about a gallon of evap a day. The jbj does turn on quite frequently since I have it with a solo float and not the dual set up. I'm also not dosing kalk at the moment. I am using a two part and plan to continue.

 

[Deep Reef]

The aqualifter does not have enough flow for some evaporation conditions. That was my issue so the only choice was to use a larger pump. Unfortunity, most pumps can't lift water 1+feet on their suction side. That is why I put the pump in the ato container and have a air gap where it dumps into the sump.