Tee off an Aqualifter Input?

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paragoned

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Oct 2, 2008
31
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Canada
Quick question. I did a search and couldn't find any info regarding this.
Could I use an Aqualifter to keep the prime of two seperate water bridges by adding a tee at the input?
Would there be any problems?

Buying another one isn't a problem, but if I can maintain both with one then that'd be great. Anything to save a few bucks, right?
 
You should be fine. The pump every 30 seconds or so and the air doesn't build up that quickly.
 
30 seconds? what? I wouldn't think there would be a problem, but for $10 and under 10 watts what could another one hurt? But by waterbridge I assume you mean a pipe bridging two tanks. I've seen it done before, it seems like a very good idea, but I recall they had a hard time keeping air out of it. How did you build yours? Clear PVC? Acrylic?

Pics!
 
as long as the water bridge is connecting 2 tanks that share water it should be fine.
 
Water bridge is made out of acrylic.
I was really just worried that maybe teeing off the input might cause some sort of pressure buildup (or lack thereof)... or just have problems regulating the flow between the two... or... something.

The aqualifter here costs about 20$ and the closest lfs that has them is about a two-hour drive. Not having to spend money and time is still much better, even if it's only a little.

Anyway thanks for the input, guys. Gonna test it out soon!
 
Just an update... Need input.
Tried teeing it off with one side of input connected to Water Bridge and another to a PVC overflow (other water bridge was still curing.) Figured I needed to test it.

I saw the aqualifter taking in air/water from the water bridge side, but not from the overflow side. In fact, when it first started taking in air from the water bridge, it seemed like when it passed the tee, the air went INTO the side of the overflow and the water into the aqualifter.
I had to squeeze the tube to the water bridge to finally prime the overflow, and after it was primed and I decided to let go... it just went back to doing what it was doing before. (Taking water from water bridge side, putting air into overflow side.)

Need ideas (or facts, even better ^_^) on what that means.
Is it a height issue? Both were more or less the same height, far as I could tell.
Is it tube length? Tube of waterbridge to tee was actually longer than tube of overflow to tee.
A Siphon issue? Vacuum in overflow is more powerful than the aqualifter pump or something? Does that even make sense?
Or is it a sign that my overflow has an air leak?

Any ideas are appreciated. Thanks.
 
Prime it with a hose, once a vacuum is created it will stay primed for life as long as the tank water does not drop below the line
 
Yanbbrox;3127143; said:
Prime it with a hose, once a vacuum is created it will stay primed for life as long as the tank water does not drop below the line
Click to expand...
Huh? I'm confused. I don't think that really answers any of my questions here. I know how to prime an overflow.
I'm trying to use ONE aqualifter to keep the prime of TWO water bridges as insurance (if either fails, I've got a flood on my hands). Tested teeing off the aqualifter's input with a water bridge and an overflow and it didn't quite work as I expected.
 
i'm thinking you need to provide pictures because Yanbbrox made a very simple factual statement i agree with.. i think maybe we are not thinking of the same thing
 
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