experiment: aqualifter for a drip system

[Sharkdude]

medium exoterra 12x12x18
semi-false bottom with hydroton ceramic marbles
Tom's Aqualifter pump on a plastic airpump shelf

draws from 'reservoir' area, through a pre-filter, then rturns to a valved dripper.
if the reservoir area goes dry, then the aqualifter will just pump air with no problems.

let me know what you think.

[Sharkdude]

PS no live animals in it yet. just rubber grasshoppers and a rubber whitelipped tree frog from my son's collection. helps the visualization and traing for my 3 year old son.

[Sharkdude]

plants are regular pothos, a small spider plant, and some taro and arrowhead from my bog/goldfish pond area outside.

Humidity is staying in range of 70-80% with the dripper, versus drops during the day and then hand mist at night.

I might put the aqualifter on a timer and just run periodically. I may also split the output to 2 or more drip valves. I think the aqualifter will do 3 gals per hour or so?

[Sharkdude]

no comments?
I thought my application was clever and I have not seen any other pictures of vivaria utilizing this unique pump.

[Waterkeeper]

I went searching through my vendors after seeing your post to see who has the TOM aqualifter. I'm setting up an auto topoff and wanted to use that pump instead of something powerful..
I used to run one on a Kalk Drip. It's amazing how simple and reliable that pump is.

I was super impressed with your unit that holds the pump and filter on the back of the tank.

[spiro666]

Hello Bru. i actually thot this was a great idea and used it in a tank of mine. i cannot get pictures up this moment but i will do so later next week. its a 15 gallon tall with hydroballs as the false bottom. i then put soil (90%cyrpess, 10%peatmoss and leftover hydroballs) and some rocks and bark. this tank is mostly for a pitcher plant which i recently bought and a crocodile skink. the humidity is kept very high and i used your aqualifter to drain water from the bottom back to the top as a waterfall on one of the pieces of bark. i could not find something to act a filter.

where did you get tha black tub as a filter, im assuming u have filter floss or a sponge in there?

[Sharkdude]

the prefilter is also from Toms Aquatics, and yes it has some filter material in it. Its to keep debris chunks from clogging the pump.
Tom Aquatics Aqua Lifter Suction Pre-Filter (Saltwater Aquarium Supplies > Overflow Box > Accessories )

glad I could share a novel application of this pump.

Waterkeeper, yeah, I'm a Reefer too. A Reef Aquarist that is! and I too use an aqualifter to supply a calcium recator.
pretty trick on the airpump shelf huh! LOL!