Aqualifter Problem

weefishman · #1 11/19/2006, 01:33 AM

Ok so I just bought a tank that came as a full setup with a cpr overflow box and aqualifter. Yes, I've read the posts about the cpr's and I'll probably replace before too long. Would have prefered a predrilled but those seem tough to come by with smaller tanks.

Anyways, my aqualifter seems to have stopped working. When I plug it in, it seems to do a whole lot of vibrating and the water on the surface vibrates as if there's some sort of suction, but there is no water movement in the airline tubing. Is this thing toast or does it just need a cleaning or something?

Thanks guys.

Blown 346 · #2 11/19/2006, 04:05 AM

Depending on how long it was used before it probably does need to be cleaned. I would get a bowl of water and vinegear, stick the suction line in that bowl. Let it circulate that thru the lines and thru the pump. If that doesnt help I would replace it before you use the Overflow.

dkh0331 · #3 11/19/2006, 05:48 AM

I'll second Blown346's suggestion.

I used an aqualifter for my top off pump for a while and I did have to clean it every 4-6 weeks or so.

David

weefishman · #4 11/19/2006, 06:10 AM

Ok, thanks for the tips, the one wierd thing is that it went from working fine a few days ago to suddenly getting pretty much no suction at all. Just thought it was strange for it to make such a drastic clog in just a couple days, unless it was on the verge of clogging when i got it. I'll give the cleaning a shot, any suggestions if I can't even get enough suction for that? Thanks again for your help guys.

-Jonny

sjm817 · #5 11/19/2006, 07:48 AM

Aqualifter pumps are usually pretty solid. I've had great luck with them for topoff, even pumping Kalk with no issues at all. You are seeing one of the reasons why I dislike CPR overflows. Do yourself a favor and get rid of it. I assume you tried it disconnected from the CPR? A clog in the CPR air nipple is also a common occurrence.

As others suggested, try running some vinegar through it and see if that helps. A new one is only ~ $10 if you need to replace it.

weefishman · #6 11/20/2006, 12:53 PM

Thanks a lot guys, did the vinegar cleaning and it's not working like a champ again! Really appreciate the tip.