Aqua lifter pump with check valve?

[Craigdoc]

Hi good people, first post on this forum, I'm from England and have a question about the usage of aqua lifter pumps with a overflow box, overflow boxes seem more popular in the US than over here so thought I would ask you guys.

Ive just had an aqua lifter pump sent over from your good country to here as we don't do them over here for some reason, anyway before I installed the aqua lifter pump the suction was maintained by a check valve, I've installed the aqua lifter and left the check valve in line, the check valve is on the supply line to the pump so I'm assuming this is OK and won't put extra strain on the pump because its pulling through the check valve.

My other questions , the pump has gotten a little hot, is this normal? It's gave off a bit of a smell, is this normal? I hope it's just a smell from first use.

Thanks for taking the time to read this

 

[Peace River]

Hi good people, first post on this forum, I'm from England and have a question about the usage of aqua lifter pumps with a overflow box, overflow boxes seem more popular in the US than over here so thought I would ask you guys.

Ive just had an aqua lifter pump sent over from your good country to here as we don't do them over here for some reason, anyway before I installed the aqua lifter pump the suction was maintained by a check valve, I've installed the aqua lifter and left the check valve in line, the check valve is on the supply line to the pump so I'm assuming this is OK and won't put extra strain on the pump because its pulling through the check valve.

My other questions , the pump has gotten a little hot, is this normal? It's gave off a bit of a smell, is this normal? I hope it's just a smell from first use.

Thanks for taking the time to read this

Welcome to R2R! I have used the aqua lifter pump on a HOB overflow box for years with mixed results. I personally have not used the check valve because I have found that the pumps have a life span of about 2 years before they need to be replace or rebuilt. Therefore I don't want to potentially add any additional strain (it may or may not) and IME there is limited risk from removing the check valve in this application. I'm not sure about the smell or high levels of heat - I don't remember this being a particular issue with the aqua lifter pumps that I have had so you will want to continue to monitor that (no more heat than any small air pump).

There are several R2R members from England so I would encourage you to introduce yourself in the "Meet & Greet Forum".

 

[Craigdoc]

Thanks for the reply mate, I shall introduce myself like you suggested.

So apparently it's not as easy as just buying one and getting delivered over here, I was using a travel adapter plug which is a bad idea long term but in the short term the pump uses a different voltage or wattage to what we use over here and I managed to burn the pump out..... Doh!!!!

Electrics are definitely not my strong point, the good news is I did cause a fire, the bad news is we don't do a pump like that in the UK, not that I know of anyway.

Thanks for the reply mate and I'll do as you say

 

[Peace River]

Thanks for the reply mate, I shall introduce myself like you suggested.

So apparently it's not as easy as just buying one and getting delivered over here, I was using a travel adapter plug which is a bad idea long term but in the short term the pump uses a different voltage or wattage to what we use over here and I managed to burn the pump out..... Doh!!!!

Electrics are definitely not my strong point, the good news is I did cause a fire, the bad news is we don't do a pump like that in the UK, not that I know of anyway.

Thanks for the reply mate and I'll do as you say

I'm really hoping that was a typo and that you didn't actually start a fire!

When I was looking into Aqua lifter alternatives I did come across an alternative that I have not tried yet - using a Maxi-Jet 1200 powerhead with the venturi conversion kit. The idea is to place the pump in the sump and run the air hose up into to the overflow box.

 

[Craigdoc]

I'm really hoping that was a typo and that you didn't actually start a fire!

When I was looking into Aqua lifter alternatives I did come across an alternative that I have not tried yet - using a Maxi-Jet 1200 powerhead with the venturi conversion kit. The idea is to place the pump in the sump and run the air hose up into to the overflow box.

Haha yea sorry, that was a typo, I'm glad it bust before I went to bed though otherwise it would of been going all night and disaster could of happened.

I'll have a look at the idea you suggested, there doesn't seem to be a market at all in the UK for a small pump that's designed to move small volumes of water.

 

[Subsea]

Thanks for the reply mate, I shall introduce myself like you suggested.

So apparently it's not as easy as just buying one and getting delivered over here, I was using a travel adapter plug which is a bad idea long term but in the short term the pump uses a different voltage or wattage to what we use over here and I managed to burn the pump out..... Doh!!!!

Electrics are definitely not my strong point, the good news is I did cause a fire, the bad news is we don't do a pump like that in the UK, not that I know of anyway.

Thanks for the reply mate and I'll do as you say

UK frequency/cycle is 50 hertz. US is 60 hertz. I do not like to depend on aqua lifter pump for much of anything.

Welcome to the addiction.

 

[Subsea]

I'm really hoping that was a typo and that you didn't actually start a fire!

When I was looking into Aqua lifter alternatives I did come across an alternative that I have not tried yet - using a Maxi-Jet 1200 powerhead with the venturi conversion kit. The idea is to place the pump in the sump and run the air hose up into to the overflow box.

That is a more reliable solutipn.

 

[Craigdoc]

That is a more reliable solutipn.

This is something I'm looking into, especially since that pump is now burnt out, I've had it waiting to go on my tank for months and then I used it and pop it went.

I've been an addict for 2 and a half years now just recently started to use this forum, more footfall on this forum than the UK one, I guess America in massive compared to England