Tom's Lifter and JBJ ATO Problem

M

M@

Alright I am leaving town for 9 days next Monday and decided to stop messing with DIY ATO's and just buy the JBJ ATO. I did some research and many people recommended the Tom's Lifter for a pump. I got everything setup and all is well accept the pump will not start on it's own. The last two days I have come home and had to lift the sensor out of the reservoir and drop it back in before the pump will start.

Any way to fix this or am I just going to have to get another pump? I love the idea of the small diameter hose for the Tom's since I can just run it through the wire hole in the back of my aquapod. Can't wait to hear your thoughts.

Thanks,
M@
 
I'm curious to see if you can get reliable performance with this pump. I had the same issue and abandoned it after a few weeks of trying different things. Now I use a maxijet 400.
 
I had three Aqualifter's plumbed in series running my ATO successfully for several years... Maybe I was just lucky...

(I had three because they were taking the water about 8', up about 2' and into and through my kalk reactor.)
 
@Charlie wrote:
I'm curious to see if you can get reliable performance with this pump. I had the same issue and abandoned it after a few weeks of trying different things. Now I use a maxijet 400. said:
That's funny Charlie....I recently switched from a maxi-jet 400 to an aqualifter in my ATO setup. Works like a charm and never have had a problem with it not working. Maybe it's a placement issue, my ato container and aqualifter are both above my sump.

Cheers,
Click to expand...
 
I used the aqualifter for a year on mine and never had a problem with the pump it was always the sensor that would hang up. You said that you had to lift and drop the sensor, is that not on the ato unit? Does the pump run when you just plug it into an outlet? They will only lift 30 inches and the npsh is low so I would place the pump close to the water supply, put a check valve on it and make sure there is a clear drop at the exit end of the line.
 
Looks like misssed results. The pump works fine, but it just won't kick on right with the initial signal. I think the sensor is fine because the ATO is showing the pump should be on.

When I pull the sensor out of the resevoir the ATO shows the red no fill. I drop the sensor back in the resevoir and the pump instantly turns on. For what ever reason the pump works fine with the signal after the sensor resest but not the initial signal? Maybe I have the setting wrong? It's a sensor problem? Anything else I should try?
 
Have you tried this that the JBL controller has a potentiometer inside to control the time duration the pump will be active? 3 to 5 minutes is the default, so you can remove the back adjust the pot up to 15 minutes I think. You also have to have the A/B setup for two floats or single float.
You can also turn on the very annoying buzzer that comes of when it is active.
 
It sounds like a problem with the ATO, not the pump.

Try this test:
1. If you plug the pump into the wall, does it turn on?

2. Unplug the pump and plug it back in four or five times and see if it works every time. Wait 20 minutes and try it again.

If the pump passes these tests, then it isn't broken. It will either turn on if it receives power every time, or it won't. If it only works intermittently or stops pumping when plugged into the wall, then replace the pump.

If the pump tests out all right, I suspect that there's something wrong with the relay switch in the JBJ (the thing that turns power on to the pump). In that case I would see if you can return the thing for a new one since you just purchased it.

I hope this helps, I use a Tom's and it's pretty solid.
 
Had the exact same problem, the aqua lift will not supply enough water and the ato times out, which is adjustable inside with a pot. So if when my system got low it would run the pump till it timed out and then would need a reset, as in lift the sensor out, or you could just switch the side switch and it would work.

But the fix was install an MJ. And reset the time to min as a MJ can top off my tank in no time.
 
Yup, its an issue with the timeout period. You can pull it apart and turn the dial all the way to the right with a screwdriver.
 
I know this is an old thread, but I wanted to add for future serachers that I had the same problem as the OP. I used an aqualifter pump and when evaporation rates increased over the last month, it couldnt keep up. I bought a MJ pump and it has worked great since.
 
I use a MJ 600 for my topoff.

Always as a rule of thumb to only keep a top off container that your sump can handle and your tank wont crash if it empties the entire container into the tank.
 
I use an Aqualifter and the only problems I've had with it is that it allows my top off water to forward siphon. Can't keep the water level above my sump because of it. It doesn't back siphon though.
 
I have this problem from time to time. I'm not certain if its the pump or the JBJ. I haven't adjusted the internal clock though to let it go for a longer time. I usually just flick the sensor up and down a few times and it immediately starts filling our sump. I used to have a siphoning problem as well, but I shortened my pump tube and it is out of the water now, so no way to back siphon.
 
Gramalkin,

Here is the fix for the forward siphon if your reservoir is above your sump. The outlet tubing for the aqualift pump is airline tubing. Have this length of tubing long enough to be just above the water line of your reservoir. Then use a larger diameter tubing and slide the airline tubing into that. Doing this will not allow the siphon to form and with the larger diameter tubing you can direct the topoff water to your sump without splashing.
 
Clever! I've got the line about a foot above the sump now and have been trying to think of a way to eliminate the splash. That'll do the trick.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top