Switch submerged

[Ricardo_Jorge]

Hey RC,

can i use a switch full time submerged?
I'm wondering ti use this swicth:

Hud

 

[aquamanic]

Most of those float switches are not designed for full-time immersion and instead, have some sort of tubing attachment that's designed to seal the top where the wires enter. I don't think brief periods of submersion are an issue and I've never personally had an issue. The problem is the insulation eventually cracks with the salt water exposure, leading to shorts and total failure.

 

[Ricardo_Jorge]

Hello Alan,

so can you give an advice for a water changes?
My idea was with a drain pump, drain about 5g from my sump every day. To prevent a very low level of water, i was thinking to use a submerged swicth, then if the level becomes to low, the drain pump turned off.

Do you have any sugestion for a automatic water changes?

Tks friend!

 

[aquamanic]

You can purchase floats where the wiring is external to the tank. Would require drilling to mount it on a sump's side wall but those floats can be permanently submerged. You can also use tubing to run the wires in and silicone the base to seal it. Todd did something where he threaded the float into a PVC cap and ran the wires inside PVC pipe to keep it all dry.

You can also limit by time the duration of the draining process so that in a couple of minutes only a few gallons can be pumped out, eliminating the need for a low level float. Get a small pump, small diameter tubing, etc.

Plenty of options to do what you want to do.

 

[Ricardo_Jorge]

I'll to limit by time. It's easer!

 

[SPotter]

autotopoff.com has a run-dry switch you might be able to use.

 

[Ricardo_Jorge]

tks friend, i'll take a look!

 

[SPotter]

no problem....i used to have one in my ato before I moved it and was able to plumb it right into my rodi line.

 

[swearint]

Todd did something where he threaded the float into a PVC cap and ran the wires inside PVC pipe to keep it all dry.

Not me, athough I know which one you are talking about. I tried to locate the thread that had the picture, but couldn't find it.

Todd

 

[aquamanic]

Must have been Jon then. I think it was a link to an Atlanta Reef Club thread now that I think about it.

 

[kayl]

I'm going to try putting a nice big glob of silicone on the top of the switch where the wiring enters and coating the wiring in a thin coat of silicone...