2 Aqualifters or AC pump for ATO pump

Aquavaj · 07/18/2018, 09:51 AM

I've been using a Tom's aqualifter as my ato pump and it's reliability has been sketch lately. It has failed to pump 3 times in the span of 2 months at random times. One weekend when I was out of town I came home to a completely empty return chamber cause it didn't pump so no top off was done.

I have a used spare one so I'm thinking of doubling them up so if one failed to pump the other can pick up the slack. I tried a 85g/hr ac pump but the head pressure wasn't enough to get up to the display tank. I do have a 150g/hr one coming in this friday and I think it should have enough head pressure to overcome the height.

Would this be more reliable than 2 aqualifters? I was under the impression that most AC pumps were meant to run continuously instead of on-off.

mcgyvr · 07/18/2018, 10:18 AM

The aqualifters are AC pumps too.. Just diaphragm vs centrifugal or other..
They are typically pretty reliable and having 2 IMO is likely better than any other unnamed single pump..

callsign4223 · 07/19/2018, 08:23 AM

BRS sells aqualifter refurb kits. It took me 15 minutes to do mine and it made it like new again. I'm pretty sure it was the kalk in my ato that gummed mine up. The refurb kit is like $5. I plan on making it a yearly maintenance item now.

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/aqua-...diaphragm.html

moondoggy4 · 07/20/2018, 06:56 PM

^^^^ Plus there is a how to video as well.

FlyingFishSKYw · 07/21/2018, 12:32 AM

I use a Spectrapure basic pump for my ATO. It’s been trouble free for over two years now. I think I paid $129??

It pumps from my laundry room down into the crawl space, then back up the 5+’ to my sump.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Uncle Luke · 07/21/2018, 04:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlyingFishSKYw

I use a Spectrapure basic pump for my ATO. It’s been trouble free for over two years now. I think I paid $129??

It pumps from my laundry room down into the crawl space, then back up the 5+’ to my sump.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I use the same exact pump. Excellent product. Best part is that there is no back siphon.

eamike261 · 07/21/2018, 09:51 AM

Curious as well... thinking about Hydor Smart ATO but finding a pump for it sounds like a nightmare. The TOM Aqualifter is a super old product and is $25+ now compared to the cheap prices people on forum's used to pay.

Can't find any product that's similar so I'm thinking about just getting a 150gph pump and sticking a ball valve on it... but I don't know if the ball valve will inhibit it's ability to reach the advertised height?

Silly clownfish · 07/23/2018, 07:02 AM

I use an Aqualifter with a Hydor Smart ATO. Yes, finding a pump with the right flow rate for your setup can be tricky with the Hydor ATO. I shaved Erin the past used 2 Aqualifters as described above for redundancy, but got tired of having 2 pumps, plus I seem to recall pulling on for another purpose.

One maintenance thing that I do with the Aqualifter is run vinegar through it for 10minutes or so every couple of months - especially right before vacations. Since I use kalk in my ATO, I would consider this necessary with any pump. I have used the rebuild kit once too. I don’t think it was necessary in my case, it didn’t decide that until I had taken it apart.

callsign4223 · 07/23/2018, 08:08 AM

Never thought of running vinegar through it, not a bad idea.

07/18/2018, 09:51 AM	#1
Aquavaj Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Posts: 132	2 Aqualifters or AC pump for ATO pump I've been using a Tom's aqualifter as my ato pump and it's reliability has been sketch lately. It has failed to pump 3 times in the span of 2 months at random times. One weekend when I was out of town I came home to a completely empty return chamber cause it didn't pump so no top off was done. I have a used spare one so I'm thinking of doubling them up so if one failed to pump the other can pick up the slack. I tried a 85g/hr ac pump but the head pressure wasn't enough to get up to the display tank. I do have a 150g/hr one coming in this friday and I think it should have enough head pressure to overcome the height. Would this be more reliable than 2 aqualifters? I was under the impression that most AC pumps were meant to run continuously instead of on-off.

07/18/2018, 10:18 AM	#2
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	The aqualifters are AC pumps too.. Just diaphragm vs centrifugal or other.. They are typically pretty reliable and having 2 IMO is likely better than any other unnamed single pump.. __________________ Who me?

07/21/2018, 12:32 AM	#5
FlyingFishSKYw Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Wasilla, AK Posts: 183	I use a Spectrapure basic pump for my ATO. It’s been trouble free for over two years now. I think I paid $129?? It pumps from my laundry room down into the crawl space, then back up the 5+’ to my sump. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk __________________ -Chris Current Tank Info: 75 Gal, H2Overflow, LifeReef VS3-24 Skimmer, 2x Hydra 26, 30 gal diy sump, Apex

07/23/2018, 07:02 AM	#8
Silly clownfish Registered Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Southeast Pennsylvania Posts: 488	I use an Aqualifter with a Hydor Smart ATO. Yes, finding a pump with the right flow rate for your setup can be tricky with the Hydor ATO. I shaved Erin the past used 2 Aqualifters as described above for redundancy, but got tired of having 2 pumps, plus I seem to recall pulling on for another purpose. One maintenance thing that I do with the Aqualifter is run vinegar through it for 10minutes or so every couple of months - especially right before vacations. Since I use kalk in my ATO, I would consider this necessary with any pump. I have used the rebuild kit once too. I don’t think it was necessary in my case, it didn’t decide that until I had taken it apart. __________________ 75g mixed reef, 20g sump, ocelaris clownfish (20+yrs old), flame hawk, one spot foxface rabbitfish, green mandarin, Bicolor Blenny, Coral Beauty;30g sumpless with Spotcinctus pair with RBTA Current Tank Info: 75g mixed reef, 20g sump, ocelaris clownfish (20+yrs old), flame hawk, one spot foxface rabbitfish, green mandarin, Bicolor Blenny, Coral Beauty;30g sumpless with Spotcinctus pair

07/19/2018, 08:23 AM	#3
callsign4223 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 348	BRS sells aqualifter refurb kits. It took me 15 minutes to do mine and it made it like new again. I'm pretty sure it was the kalk in my ato that gummed mine up. The refurb kit is like $5. I plan on making it a yearly maintenance item now. https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/aqua-...diaphragm.html

07/20/2018, 06:56 PM	#4
moondoggy4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: menifee So cal Posts: 11,042	^^^^ Plus there is a how to video as well.

07/21/2018, 09:51 AM	#7
eamike261 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Buffalo Posts: 315	Curious as well... thinking about Hydor Smart ATO but finding a pump for it sounds like a nightmare. The TOM Aqualifter is a super old product and is $25+ now compared to the cheap prices people on forum's used to pay. Can't find any product that's similar so I'm thinking about just getting a 150gph pump and sticking a ball valve on it... but I don't know if the ball valve will inhibit it's ability to reach the advertised height?

07/23/2018, 08:08 AM	#9
callsign4223 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 348	Never thought of running vinegar through it, not a bad idea.