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Thread: Going to attempt an air lift
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29-05-2018, 01:12 PM #41
The Air lift in action
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBzsgLezkoc
Last edited by Jubblyray; 29-05-2018 at 01:18 PM.
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29-05-2018, 01:41 PM #42
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freddyboy Thanked / Liked this Post
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29-05-2018, 01:44 PM #43
No problem hope you have as much success as i have had from such a great design.
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freddyboy, Frimley Koi keeper Thanked / Liked this Post
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29-05-2018, 02:00 PM #44
That's where they always break ... super glue and CT1 are both fish friendly.
CT1 is best out of those two for stone glueing ... but is an overpriced sealant/adhesive ...
For future reference the only sealant/adhesive you ever need is Polyurethane ..... black "Bond It PU18" is the cheapest way of getting it. Check out deals on ebay
The only other sealant that I would ever recommend is MS Polymer .... but that's only better for bonding EPDM rubber to glass (for viewing windows) ... I've written extensively about this on the forum and fitting windows.
Yes I use a hacksaw too before finishing with belt sander ... you could also do it very quickly with a grinder if your careful.
Nice vid! ... it's amazing how a vid is worth 1000 words.
Ok ... some tips.
You need to take the kneeling mat plug out of the top of the drive pipe to let air escape ... plugs are only required if your getting lot's of water splashing out of the air ports ... you can put riser tubes on them instead and leave them completetly open (that's what I would have done if I had more height in my "filter bay" under the lid). If you also don't have the height under the lid and do need plugs then make the air escape holes bigger 20mm is good and cut a 20mm notch out of the one in the drive pipe beside the air input to let air escape.
Is that polyurethane tubing? ... good stuff isn't it.
Did you remember to drill the air stone input out?
What length is your drive pipe?
What volume is your pond?
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Frimley Koi keeper, freddyboy Thanked / Liked this Post
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29-05-2018, 02:19 PM #45
Thanks Trace, I only suggested CT1 as I have got a tube going spare. Only thing is that it's white not black OCD stricks again lol it's not visible so may give it a go later
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29-05-2018, 03:45 PM #46
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29-05-2018, 03:55 PM #47
Show me a drawing or photo of your air lift Frimley so I can get a better idea ... the dimensions a few posts ago were confusing.
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29-05-2018, 03:56 PM #48
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Trace Thanked / Liked this Post
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29-05-2018, 05:13 PM #49
OK hopefully this drawing will show how things are going so far.
Attachment 23802
Basically it's built in 40mm waste using push fit Ts etc. but as I realised the stone was going to be too big to allow for a decent amount of air to flow past the top plastic section of it even after filing it down and snapping the end off I thought if I just rebuild the bottom section in 50mm waste it would allow the air to flow with far less restriction hopefully?
Hopefully the 50mm to 40mm step down just before the first T isn't going to be a problem?
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29-05-2018, 05:23 PM #50
Sorry the drawings aren't up to your standards Trace they are more like the insane ramblings of a mad man
I know my place
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29-05-2018, 05:49 PM #51
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29-05-2018, 05:51 PM #52
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29-05-2018, 06:00 PM #53
Nice video Ray
Only just had a chance to look at it - sorry I got side tracked.
Would I be right in thinking that if your pond water isn't as clean as yours is Ray there will be more bubbles or foam coming out of the vertical pipes if the ends are capped off or plugged?
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29-05-2018, 06:14 PM #54
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Frimley Koi keeper Thanked / Liked this Post
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29-05-2018, 06:37 PM #55
If I was to go 50mm through out I'd probably use rubber boots so it was fully adjustable should it need to be.
Personally I don't have much luck with gluing pipe work as with PVC conduit I use Egaweld or similar (it's for electrical wiring etc. before anyone asks) I know waste and pressure pipe are probably easier to work with when gluing etc. but some of the larger sizes of fittings are quite expensive and once they're stuck they're stuck. Well when others do it they are
As for the size of the pond - it's a temporary set up as we could be moving shortly so isn't very big. It's about 1000 gallons.
As for what I had intended to use the air lift for - if I can just get it to work to prove the design etc. I was thinking originally of using it to feed a DIY 2 barrel filter system but then realised my mistake. It would have to be after any filter system as a return to the pond.
Basically I was trying to see if I could get a few DIY things to work reliably then scale them up when I get things sorted out.
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29-05-2018, 06:55 PM #56
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29-05-2018, 07:37 PM #57
Hi Trace
Yes I'm restricted by height as well lol ,decking cover over the filter area will make my air escape holes bigger but do get quite a large amount of water slashing , yes toolstation finest polyurethane , I did drill the air stone as recommended ,drive pipe is approx 975mm in length ,approx 1500 gallons ,,ground underneath is soil so can go longer in the future !
Its so simple and effective
RayLast edited by Jubblyray; 29-05-2018 at 07:40 PM.
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30-05-2018, 01:30 AM #58
Solvent welding waste pipe is easy as anything but I would still buy rubber boots instead ... you can test things with them and re-use them over and over ... also good for either side of valves and loads of other stuff.
Yes air lift is in the pond return position with a gravity fed filter and if you go with 2" you'll be turning over your pond 1000Gallon volume approx once per hour or a bit quicker than that.
Air lift is a great place to start with DIY ... super simple, build it in 10 mins, works brilliantly, and gives you practice at several fundamental pond DIY techniques.
Ok @1500Gallons you'll be turning over your entire volume in about 1.5 hours or less with that air lift ...
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30-05-2018, 07:25 AM #59
Thanks Trace, looks like I'll have to order up some rubber boots then and some more 50mm pipe.
Hope I didn't offend you Ray with my earlier reply. At least you managed to keep your air stone in one piece.
Where's the best place to get rubber boots from.
I've already tried the local shoe shop but they just don't have the correct size lol
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30-05-2018, 07:42 AM #60
Running heater at low temp?
Covering the pond with polycarb should be enough to stop water temps dipping below 6C for the most...