What about DIY'ing Diaphragm Pumps for ATO?

[ps2cho]

So after trying to fix my IM Hydrofill to no avail, I was trying to find the chinese pump they use and swap out...then I came across a ton of generic Diaphragm Pumps out there for dirt cheap!!

Has anybody simply bought something like this:

https://www.amazon.com/bayite-Diaph...coding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=9CPFB97DMD8JMQ94VHXY

or 35psi version:
https://www.amazon.com/Amarine-made...9E73Q2ZF5XR&psc=1&refRID=QSZF6EE3G9E73Q2ZF5XR

Theres a ton on amazon to choose from for $20. Some look more powerful too, 1.2 gal/min should be more than you'd ever need, plus it'll have more power behind it to pull water up.

and just used it for an ATO Pump? The only thing you'd need is to solder the wires into a power adapter (which I'll just cut the end off my IM Hydro Fill pump and use that).

I mean this has to be A) Very cheap B) Reliable because it can run dry

Thoughts?

 

[CC13]

Tagging along.

 

[ps2cho]

Decided to give it a shot! Went with this one:
https://www.amazon.com/Amarine-made...9E73Q2ZF5XR&psc=1&refRID=QSZF6EE3G9E73Q2ZF5XR

I think once I solder the power cord on, it will work fantastic.

 

[CC13]

Decided to give it a shot! Went with this one:
https://www.amazon.com/Amarine-made...9E73Q2ZF5XR&psc=1&refRID=QSZF6EE3G9E73Q2ZF5XR

I think once I solder the power cord on, it will work fantastic.

Post how it works when you get it up and running. I might be giving this a whirl also.

 

[ps2cho]

Post how it works when you get it up and running. I might be giving this a whirl also.

Should arrive tonight so plan is to desolder the power connector from the original Hydrofill pump then I can use the same power cord and adapter since it’s small.

Then I’ll fire it up and see how it works and let you know!

I think with the expensive costs in this hobby if this works it basically is universal for any size tank above 50 gal (under can probably use an aqua lifter unless head height is the issue) and it’s a $25 cost (including buying an AC adapter which I won’t need for this trial)

 

[CC13]

Should arrive tonight so plan is to desolder the power connector from the original Hydrofill pump then I can use the same power cord and adapter since it’s small.

Then I’ll fire it up and see how it works and let you know!

I think with the expensive costs in this hobby if this works it basically is universal for any size tank above 50 gal (under can probably use an aqua lifter unless head height is the issue) and it’s a $25 cost (including buying an AC adapter which I won’t need for this trial)

Ya I agree. This would be a great find for sure.

 

[ps2cho]

Ya I agree. This would be a great find for sure.

I’ll show pics of the IM Hydrofill, literally all Innovative Marine did was bulk buy Chinese made diaphragm pumps with no modifications whatsoever (you can find the same exact pump model # and all on alibaba for what looks like about $12/each), slapped it in a plastic case for looks and sells for $90.

This pump I bought looks identical design with only difference being it had a plastic cover around the motor and slightly bigger because it has adjustable pressure module on top

 

[CC13]

I’ll show pics of the IM Hydrofill, literally all Innovative Marine did was bulk buy Chinese made diaphragm pumps with no modifications whatsoever (you can find the same exact pump model # and all on alibaba for what looks like about $12/each), slapped it in a plastic case for looks and sells for $90.

This pump I bought looks identical design with only difference being it had a plastic cover around the motor and slightly bigger because it has adjustable pressure module on top

Ya I am interested to see how it works because I have a large system and finding a pump for my ATO is always a nice challenge. This looks promising.

 

[redfishbluefish]

Tom's Aqualifter is a diaphragm pump that's pretty inexpensive. The second thing I like about it is that you can also buy a rebuilt kit and have it ready to go when it needs to be rebuilt. I use this as my ATO pump, and in the 12 or so years I only had to rebuild once.

 

[CC13]

Tom's Aqualifter is a diaphragm pump that's pretty inexpensive. The second thing I like about it is that you can also buy a rebuilt kit and have it ready to go when it needs to be rebuilt. I use this as my ATO pump, and in the 12 or so years I only had to rebuild once.

Any pics of the setup?

 

[redfishbluefish]

Any pics of the setup?

HERE'S the link to my ATO as shown in my build thread.

 

[Blue Spot Octopus]

I usually go through a Tom aqua lifter once a year, I finally bought a Avast diaphragm, I like the ideas of these ones linked, let everyone know how they work out.

 

[ps2cho]

Ok got it all set up! Its working GREAT, however, the pump is slow and I think its because of a mismatch in the power adapter I used. The pump says 12v 3.5amps, and this power adapter says 12v 1amp. I think thats why its pumping slow. I'm no electrician, but can someone confirm this makes sense why the pump would be going slow?

If so, I will get a power adapter to match and solder the connector onto it and try again. But for now its working!

The reason why the aqualifter cannot be used is that I have to pull water 10ft and with an additional 3ft head height into the stand, the AQL isn't powerful enough.

Edit: would this adapter work?

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/292085070733

 

[ps2cho]

Ordered this 3amp power adapter off amazon to get here quickly so going to try this instead.

IBERLS Wall AC to DC Transformer 36W Power Supply Adapter Cord Plug Charger 12V 3A(3000mA)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073CQCGM2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_kvZyCbXWT2Z20

I’m reading online what I did can potentially be dangerous since it’s alwaus safer to provide an adapter that can handle more amps than less because if it’s too small it can overheat.

Will update once I get this adapter with higher current to see if that fixed the slow pumping

 

[ps2cho]

Update: I just found in an old box a 12v 2.0amp power adapter. Plugged it in and pump now works at full speed!!

Now the downside is that the pump is pretty loud because its pushing a LOT of water now. For me, the ATO would only run for 10-seconds every few hours at the very most, so its something I can live with. I just want to give fair warning to those who want to go this route.

Now that I know this is an option for anyone who is unable to use an Aqualifter, I wonder if with more searching there are other diaphragm pumps out there that output less GPM? This one states 1.1gal/min, but we all know our tanks dont need anywhere near this volume...

Maybe something like this?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/DC-12V-Min...=item2f249ca497:g:ScgAAOSw9y1bzUaC:rk:12:pf:0

For now, I guinea pigged the larger pump and can firmly say this will absolutely work for $18 + $10 A/C adapter, but at the sacrifice of noise.

 

[Even Further]

I bought one of these pump to use as a dedicated water change pump. These pumps are way, way too loud for ATO.

 

[billwill]

Ok got it all set up! Its working GREAT, however, the pump is slow and I think its because of a mismatch in the power adapter I used. The pump says 12v 3.5amps, and this power adapter says 12v 1amp. I think thats why its pumping slow. I'm no electrician, but can someone confirm this makes sense why the pump would be going slow?

If so, I will get a power adapter to match and solder the connector onto it and try again. But for now its working!

The reason why the aqualifter cannot be used is that I have to pull water 10ft and with an additional 3ft head height into the stand, the AQL isn't powerful enough.

Edit: would this adapter work?

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/292085070733

Fyi 35 psi is roughly 2.5 ft of head pressure. You’ve got way more head loss than this pump is rated for. 14.7 psi = 1’ head

 

[CC13]

Update: I just found in an old box a 12v 2.0amp power adapter. Plugged it in and pump now works at full speed!!

Now the downside is that the pump is pretty loud because its pushing a LOT of water now. For me, the ATO would only run for 10-seconds every few hours at the very most, so its something I can live with. I just want to give fair warning to those who want to go this route.

Now that I know this is an option for anyone who is unable to use an Aqualifter, I wonder if with more searching there are other diaphragm pumps out there that output less GPM? This one states 1.1gal/min, but we all know our tanks dont need anywhere near this volume...

Maybe something like this?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/DC-12V-Min...=item2f249ca497:g:ScgAAOSw9y1bzUaC:rk:12:pf:0

For now, I guinea pigged the larger pump and can firmly say this will absolutely work for $18 + $10 A/C adapter, but at the sacrifice of noise.

Any chance you can post a video of it working? I am interested in giving this a go. I have a basement sump and dedicated fish room so the noise is of no real concern to me.

 

[ps2cho]

So it’s been a few days - functions perfectly fine but I agree from above it’s a little too noisy for a permanent function.

I think if you have a basement it would work perfectly although I’d go for a 90psi unit since you’d be going up a whole floor.

Going to look at finding a mini diaphragm pump a little more similar to the one found in the Hydro Fill pump. I think this current pump would work fantastic for an automatic water change pump for sure though on a future tank!