Harbor Freight Pump Warning

[Janet Little]

I have just experienced a catastrophic failure of my Harbor Freight pump.  The pump failed and released a huge amount of toxic oil which fouled and ruined my entire system. I looked it up on the internet and apparently this is pretty common for these pumps.  I now have to start over, all the pipes are ruined and the beds and media are toast.

Be warned you get what you pay for, although this pump was 80.00 and I bought the warranty because this is the 5th pump that I have had trouble with.

Lesson learned.  I will buy a better one this time and hope for the best.

The gravel will go in my greenhouse as a flooring and the rest will have to be used for another purpose.

SAD :(

I had plans for an upgrade so I guess this will put some fire under my bum to get started.

[Bob Campbell]

Air lift pumps do not require engineering skills.

Use an Eco Plus 7.  Submerge a 1/2" PVC airline inside of a 2" PVC pipe 3' to 4' deep.  Keep the lift under 12" and you will pump well over 1000 gph.  I'm certain you can go higher but the lower lift the better. Building this air lift pump costs less then ten dollars plus a $130 air pump which is something you will probably want even if you are pumping with a mechanical pump.  Air lifts are simple, never clog, or break down.  The Eco Plus has been a solid performer for me.  It runs cool and pumps air about 7' deep at 200 lpm with zero head. Hydrofarm pumps run hot and do not pump as much air.  The [Hakko HK-25LP] is smaller but it's quieter and more expensive. Life expectancy is 15 years.  Keep in mind that air can be piped out to the garden leaving the air pump in a remote dry location where noise is not going to be a problem.

My [YouTube site] has a lot of air lift videos.

Janet Little said:

I do like the idea of using the air lift pump but my engineering skills are very low.

[Paul Trudeau]

Thanks Bob.  I like the specific tech specs!

Bob Campbell said:

Air lift pumps do not require engineering skills.

Use an Eco Plus 7.  Submerge a 1/2" PVC airline inside of a 2" PVC pipe 3' to 4' deep.  Keep the lift under 12" and you will pump well over 1000 gph.  I'm certain you can go higher but the lower lift the better. Building this air lift pump costs less then ten dollars plus a $130 air pump which is something you will probably want even if you are pumping with a mechanical pump.  Air lifts are simple, never clog, or break down.  The Eco Plus has been a solid performer for me.  It runs cool and pumps air about 7' deep at 200 lpm with zero head. Hydrofarm pumps run hot and do not pump as much air.  The [Hakko HK-25LP] is smaller but it's quieter and more expensive. Life expectancy is 15 years.  Keep in mind that air can be piped out to the garden leaving the air pump in a remote dry location where noise is not going to be a problem.

My [YouTube site] has a lot of air lift videos.

Janet Little said:

I do like the idea of using the air lift pump but my engineering skills are very low.

[Janet Little]

I will look at your videos, we are in the final stages of constructing our new wood 7x 3 gravel beds so I will need to do it soon.  I am leaning towards the idea because I have such bad luck with the other pumps. Thanks Bob.