Aqua Lifter pump help...thoughts?

[docshipwreck]

Figured I'd ask out loud if you all have a minute...

 

I have an aqualifter pump in service since maybe may-ish ( have to research amazon orders) no longer then that though. I have a hydor ATO controller ( I know not the most ideal but I got a killer deal on it BNIB).

 

Once I got it dialed in it seemed to function flawlessly, now recently the last 2 weeks its barely a trickle and the alarm is constantly going off for running over time and not filling to the shut off trigger.

 

I know the 30 inch lift, and I have to be close and need to exactly measure. I have my ATO container in my cabinet and the pump mounted the highest inside in an attempt to offset this distance.

 

Does anyone have any thoughts on why this after only a short time seems off. I want to unhook it all tonight and try on a level surface to pump to try to rule out height mount. I've read about these to a certain degree being considered disposable but I was hoping to get more then 2-3 months use out of it.

 

Thanks!

[Five.five-six]

It's a TOM aqualifter?  

 

If so, it's just a regular air pump that works with water.  Try pumping some vinegar through it, see if that helps.  Were you pumping kalkwasser with it?  

 

It's a really cheep pump, could be time to replace the diaphragm or valves 

 

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/aqua-lifter-replacement-diaphragm.html?gclid=Cj0KCQjwwqXMBRCDARIsAD-AQ2j8K4Wssz0u0s9D4Sh5P2zcKjBOJgebMJP5-Vfq7gO7-pf45dqvZz8aAsbZEALw_wcB

[docshipwreck]

6 minutes ago, Five.five-six said:

It's a TOM aqualifter?  

 

If so, it's just a regular air pump that works with water.  Try pumping some vinegar through it, see if that helps.  Wer you pumping kalkwasser with it?  

 

It's a really cheep pump, could be time to replace the diaphragm or valves 

 

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/aqua-lifter-replacement-diaphragm.html?gclid=Cj0KCQjwwqXMBRCDARIsAD-AQ2j8K4Wssz0u0s9D4Sh5P2zcKjBOJgebMJP5-Vfq7gO7-pf45dqvZz8aAsbZEALw_wcB

Thanks @ five.five-six I thnk I will try to run some vinegar through and also get these enroute. I understand you get what you pay for but was hoping to get more then 3 months out of this before needing service.

[Five.five-six]

The aqualifters are great, just use the $5 filter if you are running kalkwasser through it.  Also, don't suck up or stir the crud at the bottom.  You don't want that in your tank anyways, all the calciumiey goodness is in the clear liquid. 

[mcaswell]

Keep in mind, the height that the pump must overcome starts from the level of the water in the reservoir, so as that level drops, the flow will diminish.  You said that it worked fine for awhile, but is it possible that during those initial weeks or month two, you generally kept the reservoir mostly full, but now it's being allowed to be more empty?