My DIY ATO Water Pump. B>)

Discussion in 'I made this!' started by Zgetman, Jun 26, 2014.

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  1. Zgetman

    Zgetman Ritteri Anemone

    Joined:
    Jun 15, 2013
    Messages:
    616
    Location:
    Dumas, TX, USA
    Okay so I decided to do some tinkering today. I know I can get a cheap inexpensive Aqua Lifter pump for $15-$20 to do this job for me. Where is the fun in that, when I can build something out stuff I already have around the house?

    Anyways here is the bill of materials:
    1. Air Pump - Common Aquarium air pump
    2. Water Container - (I used a 2 liter bottle for this build)
    3. 1/4" Rubber Airline Tubing
    4. 3/16" Rigid Airline Tubing

    Here is the tools needed:
    1. Knife
    2. Drill
    3. 7/32" Drill Bit

    First off I drilled 2 holes in the cap of the 2 liter bottle. I made sure to leave the rubber piece in the cap to ensure a better air tight seal, when replacing the cap.
    20140624_190411.jpg

    Next I cut my rubber airline tubing into 2 pieces. One piece to reach the air pump and the other for a drain line. I then took the rigid airline tubing and cut a piece about 1/2" long and a piece that was the height of the bottle.
    2014-06-24 19.09.49.jpg

    Next I pushed each piece of the rubber airline tubing into each hole.
    2014-06-24 19.09.24.jpg

    After that I inserted the 1/2" piece of rigid airline tubing about 1/4" into the rubber airline tubing that comes from the air pump, and I inserted the the long piece of rigid airline tubing about 1/4" into the rubber airline tubing used for the drain line.
    2014-06-24 19.08.55.jpg

    I then pulled the rubber tubing back through the cap until the rigid tubing was came through the top of the cap. This created an air tight seal that I did not need to glue or silicone.
    2014-06-24 19.08.08.jpg

    Next I filled the bottle up with water and screwed the cap on the bottler hand tight.
    20140624_191121.jpg

    I then connected the rubber tubing to the air pump and then turned the pump on.
    20140624_191211.jpg

    Result:
    Water flowing out of the bottle at 10gph, and when I turn the power off it takes about 30secs for the water pressure in the bottle to equalize and stop the water pumping.


    This will be used with a DIY ATO that I plan on building for my sump. A big plus to this is, the electricity is completely separated from the water.
    I hope you guys enjoyed my little DIY project..
     
    Last edited: Jun 26, 2014
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  3. Alfie uk

    Alfie uk Feather Duster

    Joined:
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    Messages:
    202
    Location:
    Across the pond, England
    Always nice to see a bit of diy :)

    In my opinion though you will probably benefit more and be more stable if you can make it so it uses a float switch so it can feed the tank the water as it needs it rather than allowing it it drop and then you adding quite a lot of water in one go ;)
     
  4. Zgetman

    Zgetman Ritteri Anemone

    Joined:
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    616
    Location:
    Dumas, TX, USA
    This is not the ATO... This just the pump for it. There will be another switch that I am going to make to turn the pump on and off.
     
  5. Alfie uk

    Alfie uk Feather Duster

    Joined:
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    Messages:
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    Location:
    Across the pond, England
    Sorry, misunderstood the title :)
     
  6. Zgetman

    Zgetman Ritteri Anemone

    Joined:
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    Messages:
    616
    Location:
    Dumas, TX, USA
    no problem, bro. Thought I would clear up the confusion. :biggrinbounce: