Auto Top Off - what pump to go with

DalPal25 · Mar 2, 2018

Hey everyone! It’s been a while since I’ve been on. I just bought the JBJ auto top off and since this is my first time buying an ATO, I didn’t realize it didn’t come with a pump! Silly me. I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions on what pump to go with since I’m relatively new to this. Thanks for any help you can offer.

MaddyP · Mar 2, 2018

DalPal25 said:
Hey everyone! It’s been a while since I’ve been on. I just bought the JBJ auto top off and since this is my first time buying an ATO, I didn’t realize it didn’t come with a pump! Silly me. I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions on what pump to go with since I’m relatively new to this. Thanks for any help you can offer.

The Neptune Systems Pmup is a good option. If you need something with a slower flow rate, Tom's Aqualifter works well too.

What is your tank size?

redfishbluefish · Mar 2, 2018

If your reservoir is close by with minimal head pressure, a Tom's Aqualifter is a nice little ATO pump. What I like about this pump is that they sell a rebuild kit that makes "rebuilding" it a breeze (and saves you $$, in that you don't have to buy a new pump). I don't mean to say it won't last; my original pump lasted about ten years before I used the rebuild kit I had on hand. Within a half hour, back to pumping.

DalPal25 · Mar 2, 2018

MaddyP said:
The Neptune Systems Pmup is a good option. If you need something with a slower flow rate, Tom's Aqualifter works well too.

What is your tank size?

I have a 40 gallon IM Nuvo

DalPal25 · Mar 2, 2018

redfishbluefish said:
If your reservoir is close by with minimal head pressure, a Tom's Aqualifter is a nice little ATO pump. What I like about this pump is that they sell a rebuild kit that makes "rebuilding" it a breeze (and saves you $$, in that you don't have to buy a new pump). I don't mean to say it won't last; my original pump lasted about ten years before I used the rebuild kit I had on hand. Within a half hour, back to pumping.

Thanks so much!

MaddyP · Mar 2, 2018

DalPal25 said:
I have a 40 gallon IM Nuvo

Hmm...I would lean towards the Aqualifter. I don't think evap on a 40 would be enough to justify a pump with higher flow.

mfinn · Mar 2, 2018

On my 240, the top off container is 11' away from my tank so I use a maxi-jet 1200.
On my 50 the top off container sits right next to the tank so I use a Aqua Lifter pump.

DalPal25 · Mar 2, 2018

Does anyone know if this will work? I bought it a while ago for some reason I can’t recall, never used it and just found it in my stand

solitude127 · Mar 2, 2018

DalPal25 said:
Does anyone know if this will work? I bought it a while ago for some reason I can’t recall, never used it and just found it in my stand

No, That's an air pump. The aqualifter is a diaphragm pump.

solitude127 · Mar 2, 2018

This is what they're referring to

DalPal25 · Mar 2, 2018

solitude127 said:
No, That's an air pump. The aqualifter is a diaphragm pump.

Wow. I will gladly accept being called a noob at any point in this thread [emoji23]

redfishbluefish · Mar 2, 2018

And here's the rebuild kit I was talking about...HERE.

thefullgonzo · Mar 2, 2018

I have a 20 gal IM that I use a Auqa Gadget Hydro Fill Ti, I really like it.

Fin · Mar 2, 2018

If you go with the Aqualifter, I would suggest getting their little pre-filter to go along with it. I would put it inside of the reservoir, because they tend to leak. But inside of the reservoir makes that a non-issue.

Here is the pre-filter

This is mine.

redfishbluefish · Mar 2, 2018

@Fin, I'm curious as to why you feel you need to filter the RO/DI water in the ATO reservoir? You won't find cleaning water. Am I missing something? Years ago, when I had an HOB overflow, and used an Aqualifter to keep it running, I did use a perfilter because it sucked in dirty tank water through the pump.

Fin · Mar 2, 2018

redfishbluefish said:
@Fin, I'm curious as to why you feel you need to filter the RO/DI water in the ATO reservoir? You won't find cleaning water. Am I missing something? Years ago, when I had an HOB overflow, and used an Aqualifter to keep it running, I did use a perfilter because it sucked in dirty tank water through the pump.

In my old set up (a 140) my reservoir wasn't fully covered. The filter was always a little dirty when I went to clean it out. So, I have always used the little filter since. I mean it's only $4, so if it will help keep the pump cleaner for longer, it is worth it to me.