My Eshopps does not rely on an aqualifter. They tend to only work for a year or so and it's not always apparent when they quit lifting water because the motor still makes noise. My Eshopps is a simple design with a baffle that keeps the water level the height of the baffle I believe so that it is quieter as it goes over the standpipe and down the drain. Also the U tube is lower than the baffle so water on the outside box is never lower than the baffle. My standpipe is removable and I like that as I clean it every so often.