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Tasmania Australia

Hi, just did some experimenting today with the air lift pump setup i have for a 5 gallon bucket.
I found some interesting results that i am hoping someone might be able to help out solve what is going on.

I found if i fill the bucket almost all the way up, it pumps water fairly well to the point that it is splashing out everywhere.

I decided to try it with it only a 1/4 full to see what would happen.
The strange this is that nothing happened at all, no water got pumped.

Dose anyone know why this is? nothing at all has changed, only less water, in theory it should still pump just the same.
Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Thanks.

8/2/2020 1:10:46 AM

South Dakota

Mine does the same thing. Splashes out when full, and does not pump when using less water because the bubbles break through the water before it gets to the top of the pump and just runs back down on the inside. I solved the splashing problem by using a 5 gallon paint strainer bag that I put the worm castings and other "solids" in, then open the top of the strainer "tea bag" then let the pump shoot into the top of the bag while the rest hangs loose in the bucket. Secure the top of the bag around the nozzle and let it pump. This solved the splashing problem ang filtering is as easy as lifting the tea bag out. Hope this helps.

8/2/2020 9:16:07 AM

Tasmania Australia

Sounds like a great idea you have there.
Any chance of putting a photo up in your diary of it so that i can get a better idea on it?
Sounds like something i am going to have to try.
Thanks.

8/3/2020 6:21:49 AM

Central Illinois

Can you put a Y into the line and allow some of the excess air to Not pump into the bucket

8/3/2020 6:25:09 AM

South Dakota

bluesilver, Here are some pics of how I use the paint strainer bag as a tea bag, that also stops the splashing.

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=318498

8/3/2020 10:49:59 AM

Western Washington

Nicely done, LJ!

8/3/2020 6:30:08 PM

Tasmania Australia

Yes, thanks heaps for that, I can see exactly what you were referring to now.
Will chase one of those down.
Appreciated.

8/4/2020 1:33:19 AM