Aqualifter pump and my wet carpet.....

waverz · 11/08/2007, 05:07 PM

Well it appears as if the aqualifter that keeps the siphon going on my overflow box decided it didn't want to suck water anymore. In return my return pump decided to keep on pumping until my 100 gallon sump was nearly half empty. Now the carpet is soaked and i am pretty PO'd.

Luckily, i had a spare pump to hook up, man i sure wish i would have just drilled the tank......

Does anyone know if there are rebuild kits or anything available for the aqualifters?

oct2274 · 11/08/2007, 05:14 PM

that is the problem with aqualifters, they don't last to long alot of times. They do make replacement diaphrams

http://www.tomaquarium.com/

the pumps are so cheap you might just want to buy new ones though

waverz · 11/08/2007, 05:53 PM

YeaH, i was thinking about buying a few but i was also thinking about just powing a powerhead with an air venturi and running it in my tank. I used to do this with my freshwater wet/dry systems and it was pretty realiable. Thanks for the link oct.

sjm817 · 11/08/2007, 05:57 PM

Dont blame the Aqualifter. Blame a poorly designed overflow that needs a vacuum pump to maintain a siphon.

Its been posted many, many times. Relying on this type of overflow is a recipe for disaster.

Get a good overflow.

BeanAnimal · 11/08/2007, 06:03 PM

Drill the tank and sleep better at nite!

sjm817 · 11/08/2007, 06:24 PM

You can sleep at night, take long vacations, etc without a worry with or without a drilled tank. Drilled is great, but if not, you need an overflow that is reliable, one that doesn't need a vacuum pump to maintain a siphon.

BeanAnimal · 11/08/2007, 06:32 PM

Still could not sleep! If it can't drain by gravity I can't sleep!

sjm817 · 11/08/2007, 06:41 PM

I ran one for years and it never failed. Went on two week vacations and it was never a thought. I turned off my system every day during feeding. Never a hitch. I have a friend who has been running his for over 7 years. No problem. A proper siphon will run indefinitely.

My CPR on the other hand failed 3 times in 2 months! I couldn't get rid of that thing fast enough.

Drill if you can. If you cant, get a good overflow (Lifereef).

Freed · 11/08/2007, 06:45 PM

My overflow never fails to stop when it's supposed to and never fails to automatically restart siphoning when the main pump is turned back on. It doesn't have an air pump to keep it running either.

sjm817 · 11/08/2007, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Freed
It doesn't have an air pump to keep it running either.

Nor should it. The need for an air pump is not a benefit. Its a sign of a poor design.

waverz · 11/08/2007, 08:46 PM

sjm so what overflow do you run?

sjm817 · 11/08/2007, 08:49 PM

I have a RR (Reef Ready) tank. Before I had this tank, I used CPR, Amiracle and Lifereef HOBs. The CPR was a disaster. The Amiracle was very good, but couldn't handle much flow. The Lifereef was awesome. Neither the Amiracle nor the Lifereef ever had a problem. 100% reliable.

Beach Native · 11/08/2007, 10:21 PM

I've been running a lifereef for 5+ years without a failure. Long term vacations, pumps on and off, etc, and the only time is has stopped was when I took it off to clean it. Simple, basic design. Get a U-Tube overflow.

SWSaltwater · 11/08/2007, 11:13 PM

not to come off harsh, I see this over and over again from people that refuse to pay the premium for quality and knowledge from a decent LFS, if you can't afford a drilled tank don't do saltwater, or live with the limitations of HOB skimmers and filters(or get a shop vac ) .........

Octopus HOB skimmers seem to work the best of all I have used, I also hear the Deltec HOB is good as well. The simple fact is that having a tank drilled and overflowed should only cost about 150-200 more then a non drilled tank. The siphon overflow, aqualifter, etc cost just as much if you get quality items.

sjm817 · 11/08/2007, 11:25 PM

Not to sound harsh either, but you are off base with that post.

Some people have a tank setup and running without a sump, mostly because they are new to the hobby and didn't know about the need for a sump until they got more experience.

They may not want to tear down a system that is up and running to drill the tank and add a sump. A quality HOB is a good way to do this. As has been pointed out, using a (quality) HOB is not an issue. It will run indefinitely without a failure.

I've used a Deltec MCE600 HOB skimmer and it was terrible. You want a flood all over the floor? Great way to do that. I'd run an HOB overflow and a sump any day before an HOB skimmer.

Freed · 11/08/2007, 11:27 PM

Hehe, sounded like a sales pitch to me from a guy that owns a saltwater place.

BeanAnimal · 11/08/2007, 11:30 PM

Quote:

I see this over and over again from people that refuse to pay the premium for quality and knowledge from a decent LFS,

I am not sure I know what an oxymoron is... but I feel like one after reading that!

Fishbulb2 · 11/08/2007, 11:39 PM

I've been using a u-tube overflow for about two years now. One flood within the first month and not one since. I didn't clean out a huge green hair algae bloom and it clogged my utube during cycling. This was my fault. Now I just keep an eye on it and since the algae is long gone i've had nothing close to a flood. Of course my next tank will be reef ready, but for now, a decent u-tube style over flow is just fine.

JCTewks · 11/08/2007, 11:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SWSaltwater
not to come off harsh, I see this over and over again from people that refuse to pay the premium for quality and knowledge from a decent LFS, if you can't afford a drilled tank don't do saltwater, or live with the limitations of HOB skimmers and filters(or get a shop vac ) .........

Octopus HOB skimmers seem to work the best of all I have used, I also hear the Deltec HOB is good as well. The simple fact is that having a tank drilled and overflowed should only cost about 150-200 more then a non drilled tank. The siphon overflow, aqualifter, etc cost just as much if you get quality items.

Not to sound harsh, but, when are the mods going to boot you for your constant commercial posts???

there are a LOT of people out there running VERY succesful reef tanks without drilled tanks (myself being one). Your opinion really matters very little to MOST people here on RC as I have seen from various threads...so really, stop posting unless you have a valid point...

BeanAnimal · 11/08/2007, 11:48 PM

JC... he skirts the rules on a daily basis to advertise that he owns an LFS and sells certain products... if he has not been booted by now, he never will be.

JCTewks · 11/08/2007, 11:51 PM

well that sucks....no more system pics in the coral prop forum...but this is allowed...oh well, such is life

Freed · 11/08/2007, 11:51 PM

I'm just willing to bet he sells drilled tanks, Deltec and Octopus HOB skimmers? I don't know where I got that idea from though.

SWSaltwater · 11/08/2007, 11:52 PM

When I got into this hobby everyone was saying go HOB bio wheels, canisters, or even a undergravel at the time(heck lots of pet stores still push these methods onto people). I found a good LFS that had the correct info and methods and did lots of my own research. It saved me thousands in the long run and I have never had any major issues and definately no floods. First and formost I am a hobbyist that simply makes a living in a store(Was a 10 year computer industry geek prior to that with a bad fish and coral addiction).

What I see still going on today pains me, petco's, large full line stores, web sites, fellow hobbyist giving out advice or selling equipment that does not work well(siphons), or is simply not current technology. This causes mass carnage of fish and coral. If you think this does not affect you as a hobbyist think again. The increasing demand on our reefs is causing major issues as we speak, and each and every fish that dies is another step closer to them cutting off the supply. Bangaii cardinals almost got listed as endangered a few weeks back, and now I read that Hawaii is looking into cutting off or decreasing the supply of fish. I recognoze that all the subpar setups being used adds to the demand since fish die that otherwise might not have. Maybe this time someone got home in time to stop the fish from dying but how about next time???? As hobbyist we should help fellow reefers and newbies get systems that work. I would much prefer to see a customer stock his tank fully and never come back except for food and water.

There are a lot of hobbyist that setup correctly and sway people in that direction, but I find many more that sway people into getting equipment that will not work long term or even might flood the house as in this case. A decent LFS will only sell quality items that work, I use to use the measure of not shopping anywhere that sold seaclones or top fathoms skimmers among other items. Tampa Bay, San Diego, LA, Phoenix had the best stores I went to since I traveled a lot for AOL. Did not see crappy systems for sale in their showrooms.

JCTewks · 11/08/2007, 11:52 PM

I wonder if He sells Shop-Vacs too

SWSaltwater · 11/08/2007, 11:55 PM

I do not sell deltec, they are a bit high price for me. If a LFS does not sell drilled tanks they should not be a LFS........I give free advise on here all the time and never try to sell anything......Reef central only caters to those that pay, boards like this are a must to help get people knowledge and equpment to properly keep their animals healthy.

11/08/2007, 05:07 PM	#1
waverz Slave to the reef! Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Evansdale, Ia Posts: 3,118	Aqualifter pump and my wet carpet..... Well it appears as if the aqualifter that keeps the siphon going on my overflow box decided it didn't want to suck water anymore. In return my return pump decided to keep on pumping until my 100 gallon sump was nearly half empty. Now the carpet is soaked and i am pretty PO'd. Luckily, i had a spare pump to hook up, man i sure wish i would have just drilled the tank...... Does anyone know if there are rebuild kits or anything available for the aqualifters? __________________ Member of the Greater Iowa Reef Society. Current Tank Info: 60 gallon Marineland Cube

11/08/2007, 05:53 PM	#3
waverz Slave to the reef! Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Evansdale, Ia Posts: 3,118	YeaH, i was thinking about buying a few but i was also thinking about just powing a powerhead with an air venturi and running it in my tank. I used to do this with my freshwater wet/dry systems and it was pretty realiable. Thanks for the link oct. __________________ Member of the Greater Iowa Reef Society. Current Tank Info: 60 gallon Marineland Cube

11/08/2007, 05:57 PM	#4
sjm817 On Yer left! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Northern VA Posts: 18,777	Dont blame the Aqualifter. Blame a poorly designed overflow that needs a vacuum pump to maintain a siphon. Its been posted many, many times. Relying on this type of overflow is a recipe for disaster. Get a good overflow. __________________ - Scott

11/08/2007, 06:24 PM	#6
sjm817 On Yer left! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Northern VA Posts: 18,777	You can sleep at night, take long vacations, etc without a worry with or without a drilled tank. Drilled is great, but if not, you need an overflow that is reliable, one that doesn't need a vacuum pump to maintain a siphon. __________________ - Scott

11/08/2007, 06:41 PM	#8
sjm817 On Yer left! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Northern VA Posts: 18,777	I ran one for years and it never failed. Went on two week vacations and it was never a thought. I turned off my system every day during feeding. Never a hitch. I have a friend who has been running his for over 7 years. No problem. A proper siphon will run indefinitely. My CPR on the other hand failed 3 times in 2 months! I couldn't get rid of that thing fast enough. Drill if you can. If you cant, get a good overflow (Lifereef). __________________ - Scott

11/08/2007, 05:14 PM	#2
oct2274 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Plano, TX Posts: 2,347	that is the problem with aqualifters, they don't last to long alot of times. They do make replacement diaphrams http://www.tomaquarium.com/ the pumps are so cheap you might just want to buy new ones though

11/08/2007, 06:03 PM	#5
BeanAnimal Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 20,772	Drill the tank and sleep better at nite!

11/08/2007, 06:32 PM	#7
BeanAnimal Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 20,772	Still could not sleep! If it can't drain by gravity I can't sleep!

11/08/2007, 06:45 PM	#9
Freed It's what it's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: 41° 2' 45" N 85° 8' 43" W Posts: 7,579	My overflow never fails to stop when it's supposed to and never fails to automatically restart siphoning when the main pump is turned back on. It doesn't have an air pump to keep it running either. __________________ Freed Current Tank Info: 180gal(1120 watts of MH/VHO light), 60gal "sump", Deltec 601 calcium reactor, Euro Reef CS8-3+ skimmer, 20 gallon QT

11/08/2007, 08:46 PM	#11
waverz Slave to the reef! Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Evansdale, Ia Posts: 3,118	sjm so what overflow do you run? __________________ Member of the Greater Iowa Reef Society. Current Tank Info: 60 gallon Marineland Cube

11/08/2007, 08:49 PM	#12
sjm817 On Yer left! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Northern VA Posts: 18,777	I have a RR (Reef Ready) tank. Before I had this tank, I used CPR, Amiracle and Lifereef HOBs. The CPR was a disaster. The Amiracle was very good, but couldn't handle much flow. The Lifereef was awesome. Neither the Amiracle nor the Lifereef ever had a problem. 100% reliable. __________________ - Scott

11/08/2007, 10:21 PM	#13
Beach Native Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: RB Posts: 517	I've been running a lifereef for 5+ years without a failure. Long term vacations, pumps on and off, etc, and the only time is has stopped was when I took it off to clean it. Simple, basic design. Get a U-Tube overflow. __________________ but is a sin to make to die corals for superficialitie of who leads the bathtub. Current Tank Info: 150G LeeMar Starphire

11/08/2007, 11:13 PM	#14
SWSaltwater Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Arizona, Tucson Posts: 1,119	not to come off harsh, I see this over and over again from people that refuse to pay the premium for quality and knowledge from a decent LFS, if you can't afford a drilled tank don't do saltwater, or live with the limitations of HOB skimmers and filters(or get a shop vac ) ......... Octopus HOB skimmers seem to work the best of all I have used, I also hear the Deltec HOB is good as well. The simple fact is that having a tank drilled and overflowed should only cost about 150-200 more then a non drilled tank. The siphon overflow, aqualifter, etc cost just as much if you get quality items.

11/08/2007, 11:25 PM	#15
sjm817 On Yer left! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Northern VA Posts: 18,777	Not to sound harsh either, but you are off base with that post. Some people have a tank setup and running without a sump, mostly because they are new to the hobby and didn't know about the need for a sump until they got more experience. They may not want to tear down a system that is up and running to drill the tank and add a sump. A quality HOB is a good way to do this. As has been pointed out, using a (quality) HOB is not an issue. It will run indefinitely without a failure. I've used a Deltec MCE600 HOB skimmer and it was terrible. You want a flood all over the floor? Great way to do that. I'd run an HOB overflow and a sump any day before an HOB skimmer. __________________ - Scott

11/08/2007, 11:27 PM	#16
Freed It's what it's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: 41° 2' 45" N 85° 8' 43" W Posts: 7,579	Hehe, sounded like a sales pitch to me from a guy that owns a saltwater place. __________________ Freed Current Tank Info: 180gal(1120 watts of MH/VHO light), 60gal "sump", Deltec 601 calcium reactor, Euro Reef CS8-3+ skimmer, 20 gallon QT

11/08/2007, 11:39 PM	#18
Fishbulb2 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Bethesda, MD Posts: 1,807	I've been using a u-tube overflow for about two years now. One flood within the first month and not one since. I didn't clean out a huge green hair algae bloom and it clogged my utube during cycling. This was my fault. Now I just keep an eye on it and since the algae is long gone i've had nothing close to a flood. Of course my next tank will be reef ready, but for now, a decent u-tube style over flow is just fine. __________________ Just getting back in, but trying to do it right! Current Tank Info: 40 gallon tank. SPS, LPS, few softies

11/08/2007, 11:48 PM	#20
BeanAnimal Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 20,772	JC... he skirts the rules on a daily basis to advertise that he owns an LFS and sells certain products... if he has not been booted by now, he never will be. Last edited by BeanAnimal; 11/08/2007 at 11:58 PM.

11/08/2007, 11:51 PM	#21
JCTewks Moved On Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Wilmington, Ohio Posts: 3,040	well that sucks....no more system pics in the coral prop forum...but this is allowed...oh well, such is life

11/08/2007, 11:52 PM	#23
SWSaltwater Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Arizona, Tucson Posts: 1,119	When I got into this hobby everyone was saying go HOB bio wheels, canisters, or even a undergravel at the time(heck lots of pet stores still push these methods onto people). I found a good LFS that had the correct info and methods and did lots of my own research. It saved me thousands in the long run and I have never had any major issues and definately no floods. First and formost I am a hobbyist that simply makes a living in a store(Was a 10 year computer industry geek prior to that with a bad fish and coral addiction). What I see still going on today pains me, petco's, large full line stores, web sites, fellow hobbyist giving out advice or selling equipment that does not work well(siphons), or is simply not current technology. This causes mass carnage of fish and coral. If you think this does not affect you as a hobbyist think again. The increasing demand on our reefs is causing major issues as we speak, and each and every fish that dies is another step closer to them cutting off the supply. Bangaii cardinals almost got listed as endangered a few weeks back, and now I read that Hawaii is looking into cutting off or decreasing the supply of fish. I recognoze that all the subpar setups being used adds to the demand since fish die that otherwise might not have. Maybe this time someone got home in time to stop the fish from dying but how about next time???? As hobbyist we should help fellow reefers and newbies get systems that work. I would much prefer to see a customer stock his tank fully and never come back except for food and water. There are a lot of hobbyist that setup correctly and sway people in that direction, but I find many more that sway people into getting equipment that will not work long term or even might flood the house as in this case. A decent LFS will only sell quality items that work, I use to use the measure of not shopping anywhere that sold seaclones or top fathoms skimmers among other items. Tampa Bay, San Diego, LA, Phoenix had the best stores I went to since I traveled a lot for AOL. Did not see crappy systems for sale in their showrooms.

11/08/2007, 11:55 PM	#25
SWSaltwater Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Arizona, Tucson Posts: 1,119	I do not sell deltec, they are a bit high price for me. If a LFS does not sell drilled tanks they should not be a LFS........I give free advise on here all the time and never try to sell anything......Reef central only caters to those that pay, boards like this are a must to help get people knowledge and equpment to properly keep their animals healthy.