Getting More Water Flow Using Air

My recent issues with water pumps has really motivated me to try and get more flow using air. Here is my latest attempt to get lift beyond a couple of inches.

[@shesellsfish]

Love that you're always experimenting and improving on components for aquariums. 👍💕👍

[@FishmanEricRussell]

Thanks so much. I really appreciate you taking the time to come by!

[@morecarstuff]

I admire your passion and curriosity, this is very genuine. looking forward to future endeavors.

[@FishmanEricRussell]

Thanks so much for your kind words!

[@arufuponics8415]

Hi Fishman, I played around alot with the airlift pumps as I am partially using this for aquaponics too. (not so much currently) but to share my experience from trying it on my indoor aquarium. the hardest thing is to get this working for shallow tanks as the depth affect the head hight you can pump at. Three things you can do to help right off the bat, 1, make the bubbles as small as possible with high quality airstone, this will have greater surface area of each bubble and better lift, it will also make the system all but silent ;) 2, use/make conical bushings or reducers as the edges ruin your flow as the water rises and especially af the end try and have the pipe bend softly. 3, this if a little extreme but works really well. As most aquariums are off the floor at a decent height, have a thick pipe sealed at the bottom end stand hidden behind the aquarium from floor to the top of the water in the aquarium, you can then have an overflow run into the pipe, and your airpump tube can gather momentum all the way from floor level despite the tank only being say 2 feet ;)

[@FishmanEricRussell]

Those are some great ideas that i will have to look into. Thanks for sharing and for watching

[@yp8885]

Thank you arufuponic and fishman, this is a great insight for me as i am in process of building a breeding farm. Wish you guys are all well with your things and your health❤❤

[@cabbie1234a]

Hey Fishman, Originally came here to say love the channel and I think Im being converted from other channels, only to come to the conclusion I believe I've had a run with you as you offered to help me clean some glass out of a gym pool while I was at work about 2 years ago. You also gave me some advice to fix my filter (with silicone:p) and its been running ever since, one of the friendliest guys out there. Also wanted to say after poking around your channel Im much more confident in taking on a full build for a 180 (stand, plumbing, aquarium) Ill be setting up. Liked and subscribed and I wish you the best of luck- and its nice to see someone from around here creating content like this!

[@FishmanEricRussell]

Thanks so much! I remember that! I was only too happy to help. Glad all of it worked out and I'm so glad you also like the channel!

[@dramad2974]

Interesting. What about using a brine hatchery cone turned upside down? This kinda reminded me of the old mame skimmers. Cool idea and video

[@FishmanEricRussell]

Any cone shape will probably work. I am going to try and put together a bunch of suggestions from the comments into a video. Thanks for watching

[@ashscichlids7057]

Wow that is so cool! Love how you are always experimenting with new things!! 👍👍

[@FishmanEricRussell]

Thanks so much Ash! Always great seeing you

[@AngelosFishTanks]

I can watch this machine work all day lol. So cool.

[@FishmanEricRussell]

Hey Angelo! How are you handling this long overdue heat wave

[@AngelosFishTanks]

Fishman it’s hot isn’t it 😓😓😓 lol

[@SandyDoughty]

Oh my gosh the ideas you have!!!! I wish I cold come up with a fraction! But I did make my own pond filter out of a 5 gallon bucket and it works fantastic!, Thank you as always for great videos! Have a wonderful long weekend!

[@FishmanEricRussell]

Thanks so much for your kind words Sandy! You have a great long weekend as well

[@laceytopmiller794]

This build with just one airstone looks perfect ...great build

[@FishmanEricRussell]

Thanks Lacey! Now I just have to figure out a way to get it to do what I want

[@jackanddan]

Like it....love tinkering with stuff too....

[@FishmanEricRussell]

So glad to meet a fellow tinkerer! Thanks for watching

[@jackanddan]

@@FishmanEricRussell....Likewise

[@fishlover9353]

I enjoy your videos and listening to you try to figure what’s next. Looking forward to your next video 👍🐠

[@FishmanEricRussell]

I'm so glad you like my humble attempts to work things out. I really appreciate you taking the time to come by

[@Sue.5776]

That was cool and you answered a question I had been pondering for my own set up. Thanks!

[@FishmanEricRussell]

Glad that worked out and thanks for coming by!

[@kennethwoodworth2496]

i once thought of making a kind of ladder, either with tubing or boxed,(putting a step every few inches with an airstone),unfortunately i did not have the room or tools.luv your vids.

[@FishmanEricRussell]

Great minds think alike. I've thought of trying that as well. The problem I've not been able to work out is regulating the flow between the levels so that none run out of water. Thanks so much for coming by and watching

[@aquaticinertia4087]

Really good idea. Minimizing the the water volume in steps will increase the water velocity, accelerating it over the top. Just like sticking your thumb over a hose makes the water pressure go up. Similar to the way jet engines compress air and shoot it out the back. You are an Aquarium Rocket Scientist ! LOL

[@FishmanEricRussell]

LOL! thanks for your kind words and for watching

[@JohnCRV]

Always bettering and experimenting. Great ideas come from passion.👍

[@FishmanEricRussell]

Thanks so much John! Hope life's treating you well

[@JohnCRV]

Fishman can’t complain my friend. Have a good one. Thanks

[@COOPERSCICHILDS]

If I had the tools u have and access to those materials your using I would go nuts I have tons of ideas but your the master it's cool learning from you thanks for sharing

[@ioannisgeorgiou4347]

Nice idea. Try to make it a cone shape so that the water flow doesn't have anything to hang on to. Because you have those type of steps that slow the water down. Or try to smooth then down and make it to a cone shape. But it's nice to see how the water flow is faster then before. 👍👍

[@FishmanEricRussell]

Hey Johny! A couple of people have suggested this. I will have to figure out how to make it a smother cone shape. Thanks for coming by. I've almost finished the rebuild for you filter

[@ioannisgeorgiou4347]

Thank you for everything you do!!!!👍👍♥️♥️

[@aviswinn4757]

FloTools: extra large funnel for $1.45 would work for me but I doubt it would for Fishman as it’s aesthetically ugly. Is that why no one has suggested using one.

[@randallmasoner]

When you run out of delrin you could possibly use those plastic type cutting boards for bushings. I know some woodworkers use them for table saw runners on their jigs.

[@FishmanEricRussell]

Thanks for the tip.I have used UHMW polyethylene before. It doesn't machine as well but it works. Thanks again and for watching

[@seekingthetruth9896]

If you taper the edges of the tubes and bushings in the direction of the water flow plus add a vertical separator in the tube that has the airstones, wouldn't that increase the volume of water lifted?

[@wobblysauce]

Possible.

[@FishmanEricRussell]

The bushings are completely covered so that part isn't possible. Tapering the tubes so that they are more cone shaped would definitely have an effect. Not sure how easy that would be to implement. I will have to give this some thought. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this and for watching

[@mausball]

As I recall, lift above the surface is related to the depth of the lift pipe below the water for a given airflow rate. The higher you need to lift above the surface, the deeper the bottom of the lift tube needs to be. Something like 5-6:1 I think? There's also a rather sharp inflection point with regard to airflow vs flow rate. I can't recall the ratio though. It's been a loooong time since college.

[@FishmanEricRussell]

probably even longer for me lol! I'm definitely going to test out this on a deep tank to see how it works. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this and for watching

[@nicholaswebb1313]

Definitely quite interesting and I've learned a lot from watching your channel. Though I do have a quick question how do you get so much acrylic to work with? A 6inch 1/4" ID tube was going to cost me $600!

[@FishmanEricRussell]

Not sure where you live but I'm glad I don't live there. I couldn't afford to work with acrylic at all. I just bought two six foot 1/4" lengths of tube and 3' of 2.5" tube for a total of about $50. Most of that was the larger dia tube. Even the most expensive dia tubes don't come close to that.

[@nicholaswebb1313]

@@FishmanEricRussell Oklahoma.

[@FishmanEricRussell]

@@nicholaswebb1313 Why is acrylic so expensive there? You'd think it would be cheaper in the states

[@nicholaswebb1313]

@@FishmanEricRussell Wish I knew. I definitely enjoy building things.

[@mycool8980]

You should test different air stones may even an oxygen emmitor. And how well do these work on salt water tanks?

[@FishmanEricRussell]

Someone else has suggested that too. I will be trying it for sure. As to the salt.... stay tuned. Thanks for watching

[@Zaku186]

Very interesting. ive been on the same subject of air driven stuff too. i swapped my matten filter over to a box filter and i love it. but the airlift tube is not long enough to go from the bottom of the box filter (to get water to flow through ALL of the bio media) to the surface of the water. and its loud and annoying sitting a few inches under the surface. ive got the swisstropicals betterbox filter and i was looking at buying a longer lift tube. BUT i got the idea that id love to get the water to go through the filter then flow to the other side of the tank before exiting the pipe. so i was planing on buying a long piece of 25mm PVC (because thats what the mattenfilter came with and i like flow also) or a piece of tubing from my old canister filter and seeing if i can get the water to flow all the way to the other side of the tank. i dont need it to come out of the water much but move horizontally. but if you can get this to work and work well you could use it for the planter that sits on the rim of the tank. THAT would be awesome. i really like growing plants in and out of the water. VERY cool project.

[@namgnol]

Moar! Air! :D love your vids.

[@FishmanEricRussell]

Much appreciated!!

[@AngelosFishTanks]

Oly shoot look at the flow. What a difference a second air stone makes. Dang

[@FishmanEricRussell]

For sure !

[@TOMReefer]

Hi fishman, what about an air set up for circulating water in an 8” x 8” x 22 “ high aquarium. I’m trying to come up with a set up to circulate water through this size tank without putting an electric circulating pump inside. I just thinking about a long rigid 1/4” air tube running down to the bottom of the tank? But that won’t move the water up like your set up does. What about a mini version of what you’ve done in this video? Thanks

[@FishmanEricRussell]

Funny as I was first scanning through comments I read this as if it were in feet lol. That would have been quite the problem. The problem with the size you're working with comes more from not taking up too much room in the tank. If it could be drilled that would make it easy. Without drilling then a curtain of air going up the back would work well. A contained system not too much more elaborate than the one I was playing around with in kzbin.info/www/bejne/gGqnY3uJedF1f9k . Hope that helps

[@TOMReefer]

Fishman thanks much! I subscribed to your channel. I just started one about 6 weeks ago. 👍🏻😃

[@woodworkerroyer8497]

I'm sure you figured out a solution by now, but what about a ram pump? The one that is basically powered by compressed air (at least to my understanding), and doesn't need any electricity or anything.

[@James-ye7rp]

How about just having the air line injected at various points in the riser tube? Perhaps try 3 or 4 injection points to make "stages" of lift. Super cheap and easy.

[@FishmanEricRussell]

I am going to try and put together a bunch of suggestions from the comments into a video. Thanks for watching

[@PalJoey-rm2yh]

It's not what you want to do, but I have had the idea that we lost a lot of filtering capacity when they eliminated the old air driven outside filters (siphon in/air drive out). THAT is where this idea could work in increasing flow rate and with a smoothly curved return neck it would give nice surface agitation for oxygen and surface film break up. Three things: 1) those inner edges are creating a lot of resistance, 2) a very much larger media box could be matched with an improved air return for a large net increase in bio filtering capacity over the mag drive HOBs with their chintzy size boxes. 3) I can't find anywhere where they sell the "J" shaped siphon tubes that would be used with such a filter. None of the on-line pet supply stores, nor could I find a commercial manufacturer of tubing selling it. You'd think it was a capitalist conspiracy to force us into using mag drive HOBs and filter cartridges. A top > down hanging outside filter would allow a permanent and undisturbed bio colony at the bottom, while allowing top access to change filter floss or rinse sponges. Work something up will you - maybe sell it - or maybe find those siphon tubes.

[@wobblysauce]

+

[@FishmanEricRussell]

I've converted so many commercial HOBs to top down filtration and they work much better than the suggested method. The reason why it's not the recommended way is they never need replacement cartridges. The oldest one I have working is closing in on 30 years and still works great. The original sponge is getting a little ratty though. As for "J" shaped pipes, they used to be the standard. I have no idea why you can't find them anymore. There doesn't seem to be a reason for it. My reason for not making them comes down to bending 1" or greater tube. I'm not set up for it. Thanks for taking time to share all of your thoughts on this!

[@rayp4008]

As an old guy, I like UG filters. Love to see this concept combined with the UG. Extra flow might negate many of the less than ideal things associated with UGs.

[@FishmanEricRussell]

I will definitely be using whatever final design I get in concert with an UG and something else. Thanks for watching

[@joemunoz1251]

Blurp Blurp sounded about right 🤣

[@FishmanEricRussell]

No kidding. Still working on it. Thanks for coming by

[@AlainMaris]

👍Have you tried with a cone yet? For exampel with one of those used for discus eggs?

[@FishmanEricRussell]

Yes. It's in the videos somewhere. Sorry, but it's been so long since these that I couldn't find it

[@CaylorsReptilesAquatics]

Very interesting, and surprising, the results. Could this replace an electric driven pump? Eager to see the new idea now!

[@FishmanEricRussell]

For low to zero water head these things work great. Creating enough flow for most applications isn't a problem. It's when you try to lift the water past a given elevation that they become useless. Will keep working on it. Thanks for coming by!

[@CaylorsReptilesAquatics]

@@FishmanEricRussell thanks!

[@johnalbernaz8960]

hi love your channel . i would to see you build a shower box filter with boxes that you could put different media in thank you

[@FishmanEricRussell]

I'm so glad you like it. By shower filter box do you mean this kzbin.info/www/bejne/jJLXe4Kjpcdsfa8

[@johnalbernaz8960]

yes it is . thank you

[@eric4052]

If you want more water rise, with air. How about instead of drilling the airl line tubing at the bottom ( closer to bottom of the tank) of the step stage acrylic tubing you made. Drill the hole say in the middle stage , that should get air to push the water height up pass the surface of the waterline. •keep almost everything the same. •just move the location of the hole, midway up the pipe you made

[@FishmanEricRussell]

I am going to try and put together a bunch of suggestions from the comments into a video. Thanks for watching

[@David-vg8it]

Look at Glenn Martinez you tube videos. he has ideas on using air to pump water. The best I can get is 2 - 5 gpm. but I am using it to pump 1 to 2 ft above water level in outside tanks.

[@FishmanEricRussell]

Thanks. Could you put a link in the comments and I will have a look

[@mikec7777]

Jet lift tubes get more flow with same size pipe, theyuse smaller bubbles. More bubbles (even smaller)displaces more water creating more flow. You may want to research that angle. A smaller tube moving more water would be more visually appealing, and easier to hide.

[@FishmanEricRussell]

I've tried some of the jet lift ideas. They have the same issues as all air lifts I've tried so far and that is they lose flow quickly with increase height above the water line. Still going to keep working on this. Thanks for your input and for watching

[@bryanp3724]

Most likely mixing up your filter types, but why wouldn't your leak proof filter work? Isn't it effectively in line and returning below the water level? Or would the water pressure on the return prevent any meaningful amount of flow?

[@FishmanEricRussell]

Impeller driven pumps have a greater ability to keep flowing with increased resistance. I'm not sure if air would do the same. I would have to test it out before I could use it. Thanks for the thought though and thanks for watching

[@reelthing4u]

if you lower air .it might help with the smallest tube

[@FishmanEricRussell]

I am going to try and put together a bunch of suggestions from the comments into a video. Thanks for watching

[@benboone007]

you should make a miniature ram pump!

[@FishmanEricRussell]

The problem with ram pumps would be the waste water. They bleed water at first and then do their pumping and then cycle though it again. Thanks for the thought though

[@flyingmonkey3822]

Deeper/narrower bc these pumps work by artificially decreasing the density. Think oil/water.

[@FishmanEricRussell]

Thanks for the thoughts and for watching!

[@Zaku186]

Also they make this super jet lifter that ive not seen before and its tempting to get one just to play with. www.swisstropicals.com/filtration-shop/jetlifter-cubelifter-shop/

[@pnw_element9822]

Can we get a tour of the fish room let’s see what ya keeping

[@FishmanEricRussell]

Still resetting after my Japan trip, but I will put one up soon

[@pnw_element9822]

Fishman Can’t wait to see the fish room

[@DEXTER-TV-series]

Maybe it will be useful for you to see the video *Olomana Garden Air Lift pumping at 16 feet high*

[@FishmanEricRussell]

I will have a look. Thanks!

[@PerplexiaX]

Great idea, and it seems to be working... that last part, though... I think that's because you're way too high above the water level... you had good flow a few inches above, but a foot above... yeah, ain't gonna work! But yeah, great idea! :-)

[@FishmanEricRussell]

My confidence for finding a solution for getting air to lift water more than a foot above the water line is probably not the greatest lol. I will keep trying though. Thanks for coming by

[@PerplexiaX]

@@FishmanEricRussell So... this IS just an experiment... seeing if you can do it with a bubbler? Maybe just go with the two thin tubes, but I doubt that would make a difference... Maybe a few inches... I hope you prove me wrong! :-D

[@kirtgardiner7872]

Have you found a solution? Any consideration to using 3 to 5 smaller pipes, tubes, at the top?

[@FishmanEricRussell]

Hey Kirt! There seems to be a consistent problem with using air. The only way I've found around it is using the multi stage lift

[@kirtgardiner7872]

@@FishmanEricRussell I've seen the multi stage and give you kudo's on an awesome innovation! I believe it is the service level you are lifting from that causes great effect. The highest stage, make it to the depth of the tank and lower that lift tube above the service, possibly with a pressure coupling, and you might get more lift. Keep the ideas and innovations coming, I really enjoy your builds!

[@FishmanEricRussell]

@@kirtgardiner7872 Thanks Kirt!

[@MoreChannelNoise]

Well at least your trying stuff, if a few more people experimented considering how many people use airpumps, we would have some better designs by now.

[@FishmanEricRussell]

So true! Thanks for watching

[@st0n3p0ny]

Steps instead of a smooth taper must be costing you some flow. It's a lot of turbulence and counterproductive low pressure areas. Maybe try an experimental thick glob of silicone to cut those 90 degree steps in to 45 degree steps.

[@FishmanEricRussell]

I am going to try and put together a bunch of suggestions from the comments into a video. Thanks for watching

[@kevinkamphuis4154]

What about higher air pressure?

[@FishmanEricRussell]

More power!! I am going to try and put together a bunch of suggestions from the comments into a video. Thanks for watching

[@raypimienta7670]

have u ever used pumps that are used for outdoor ponds and fountains. I've used those for years n havent had any issues other than having to make custom fittings and plumbing for them. but I doubt that's an issue for u.

[@FishmanEricRussell]

I've used pond pumps many times. Sadly even they are being made cheaper these days. Thanks for the thought and for watching

[@aviswinn4757]

Have you ever considered an air powered Tesla valve as you like to build things just as an experiment. It will probably just end up being an expensive geyser. Enjoy your content very much. (Edit) I didn’t discuss oneway or check valves as you mentioned work great at first but decrease and eventually fail.

[@FishmanEricRussell]

Thanks for the idea. Building one with my equipment would be a challenge. Also I'm not sure how mixed fluids would work in it (air and water). I will give this some thought. Thanks!

[@csillakaszas7285]

more! gimme more! gimme more! / shut up and sing it with me ... (is it just me?)

[@FishmanEricRussell]

Lol! Thanks for watching

[@muckshifter]

Turn it upside down ... or make a Geyser pump. :))

[@Sue.5776]

Geyser pump?

[@johncarlson3742]

I don't understand what you are trying to do. Is your standpipe just to move water around? Please explain.

[@FishmanEricRussell]

My intent here is to create a system using air to lift water a significant height above the water line in the tank. That way I can use an air pump to run filter styles that I currently need a water pump for. Thanks for watching

[@unique35m]

Use jetlifter or czech airlift they are more silent and more efficient

[@FishmanEricRussell]

I just like building and testing out different builds

[@captainwin6333]

Would an upsidedown J shape pipe at the top help with the flow by adding a small syphon to the top of the pipe or do you think the bubbles would ruin any syphon? Regarding customers wanting the kit to be unobtrusive, a Hamburger Mattenfilter can be DIY'd into one of the back corners of the tank and with your skills with acrylic, it could look either presentable or perhaps blends in with a dark background. It could be air driven with an outflow guttering that wouldn't need to be much higher than the water level transporting the water to the other side of the tank. Something along this line - www.seriouslyfish.com/a-basic-guide-to-the-hamburger-mattenfilter/

[@FishmanEricRussell]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this. The "J" won't work as there wouldn't be enough of a drop to create suction and as you said the bubbles would ruin it anyway. Hiding filtration for tanks that are viewed from the front aren't the problem it's the ones where people walk all the way around. I will have a look at the clip and thanks again for watching

[@chrisonebxl]

ok mister brains ! but i 've got one wish or challenge for you ; make a diy venturi if you like please ! ( small air line , on tne outlow of a water pomp!) ….

[@FishmanEricRussell]

Used to make those years ago when I was still using protein skimmers. Haven't made one in forever. I'm planning a combo algae scrubber/skimmer for a client. I could incorporate one in that if you want to see it

[@chrisonebxl]

tcher will love to see it ; its a efficient , simple& economic way to add some O2 in a tank , i mean to favorise the exchange the O2 with the water surface ; that being said if we want to release some O2 in the water only oxydator will make it !! you know better than me that there is only 21% in our atmosphere !!! with air stone nothing of bubbles or O2 will dissolve in the water tank waht hydrogene peroxyde well does . i ve got the the evidence of it by using 3 ( almost 4) jbl baby brines hatcheries , in fact the only connection is the output line connecting on each hatchery no "T" connection so ! but one line straight from the air into the first , then output from first into second & output from second into third , that means nothing is dissolving in the water , cause i'ts same amont into the 3 hatcheries , i will make a update on my bolivian fry with showing my brines hatcheries , tomorow i go for the fourth one !!!

[@chrisonebxl]

@@FishmanEricRussell kzbin.info/www/bejne/goLMYnSYr7d0kNU

[@Twist_av_Lemon]

I think you will get just as much with a jet filter and pressure chamber

[@FishmanEricRussell]

At these heights, for sure. I built one a while ago and it works quite well. I'm hoping to be able to get some height out of these. Everything seems to lose flow once you get a little above the water line. Thanks for coming by

[@Twist_av_Lemon]

@@FishmanEricRussell that's something I've also seen, I would like to drive a overhead sump with one at some point.

[@rosennachev9864]

How about a cone? Too bad transparent traffic comes are useless it would have been convenient :"D

[@FishmanEricRussell]

I will have to try that for sure. Now I just have to find a way of bending acrylic on that level. Thanks for watching

[@meatballparts9767]

Edit: I typed 3/8" ID originally..That was wrong. I actually used a 3/8" OD tube with a 1/4 ID We share the obsession of making a better aquarium airlift. I found the best way to get high lift is to have the lift go as deep in the water as it can go, to use a smaller tube (1/4" ID) and big bubbles(no air stone). What you get is kind of like what you had at the end with the spurts; in pneumatic conveyor systems it's known as slug flow. I get respectable lift in spurts; of course the flow gets worse as the discharge goes higher or the amount of lift below the water decreases. I find my test lifts needed the air flow to be carefully set and I don't know how long it could run in the real world before needing tweaking. If you go to a higher diameter tube the surface tension of the water can't bridge the tube and maintain the slugs so you get behaviour like a regular air lift. How to scale it? I have no brilliant ideas but my first thought is that you run into a similar problem building cyclonic separators: If you make one bigger to allow more flow then you make it less effective; diameter changes really effect performance. What you do in that situation is put enough properly designed separators in parallel (as seen in a certain brand of very expensive bag-less vacuum cleaners) to handle the flow rate you need. ...but a bundle of air lifts creates another set of problems in terms of appearance and maintainability.

[@FishmanEricRussell]

Cool idea. I will have to give it some thought. Thanks for watching

[@akhileshthapa_fishbro86]

👍

[@FishmanEricRussell]

Thanks for watching!

[@fredkibler]

Venturi effect

[@FishmanEricRussell]

Yup! Thanks for watching

[@Taai-yj8uu]

Pls show us all you tanks

[@FishmanEricRussell]

Should be coming up soon. Once I get everything back after my trip. Thanks for coming by

[@inhaleingsmoke]

Have you tried a wood stone like from a protine skimmer I think the large bubbles are not as effective as alot of fine ones just an idea not sure how well it would work

[@FishmanEricRussell]

I will definitely have to try this. You are now the third to mention it. We will have to see if bubble size effects the flow. Thanks and thanks for watching

[@MrSoggyjocks]

Could i use a piece of pvc pipe to pump air into, install the pipe on a slight upward angle, and get it to slowly pump water from one end of the tank to the other. Would the bubbles help circulate the water? I am setting up a guppy pond using an old bathtub, so its pretty long, and i wonder if i would benefit from being able to move water from the stagnant end to the other where the water gets pumped into the filter.

[@FishmanEricRussell]

It would work as long as the pipe doesn't stick out of the water too much. That's where these things tend to go wrong