Tank-O-death

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9731202#post9731202 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by steveweast
Thanks everyone....how about the float switch itself ? I prefer not to use a conventional float switch that could foul over time or has to be drilled through the side of the sump below waterline for mounting. Hopefully, this switch will never be activated.....so, I'm looking for something that will be basically maintenance free....and will never fail.....maybe an electronic switch of some kind that can be hung down into the sump instead of a mechanic float ?
Click to expand...

Liter meter with float switch. You measure your evap, which say hypothetically is 15 liters per day. Set your liter meter to 17 liters per day and set up your float switch in your sump. Even if the float switch fouls you'll only get 2 extra liters. I don't even use the float switch, however it can add an extra measure of safety.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9731202#post9731202 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by steveweast
Thanks everyone....how about the float switch itself ? I prefer not to use a conventional float switch that could foul over time or has to be drilled through the side of the sump below waterline for mounting. Hopefully, this switch will never be activated.....so, I'm looking for something that will be basically maintenance free....and will never fail.....maybe an electronic switch of some kind that can be hung down into the sump instead of a mechanic float ?
Click to expand...

Hi Steve,

I have followed the whole thread so am not sure if you've considered this, but why not plumb an overflow (bulkhead and hose) high up in the skimmer cup into the sump? No need to rely on a float switch (especially one that's always submerged).

Art
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9877661#post9877661 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reefboy1
Hi Steve,

I have followed the whole thread so am not sure if you've considered this, but why not plumb an overflow (bulkhead and hose) high up in the skimmer cup into the sump? No need to rely on a float switch (especially one that's always submerged).

Art
Click to expand...
It may be on the way of the Automatic self cleaning skimmer cup.
 
The whole point is that Steve goes away for extended periods and needs the skimmer cup to empty itself. Even my 6g collection bucket wouldn't be enough. I pull out about a gallon per day right now, and I would imagine that Steve's skimmer pulls even more. So that is why it was plumbed to a drain.

I am going to show him how mine is set up and maybe he can super-size it for his system by creating a 30g skimmate holding tank that once it is full, the skimmer shuts down. Then he could flip a switch to pump it to a drain. That would keep the skimmer from removing too much water at one time, and with the Aqua Controller, he could rig a high skimmate alarm to page/email him.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9877432#post9877432 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Holyreefer
that explains why i couldn't find your website
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My site is down due to a server change...it should be back up next week.

Steve
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9878369#post9878369 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Zoom
It may be on the way of the Automatic self cleaning skimmer cup.
Click to expand...


Definitely, yes. The skimmer cup flushes itself twice a day.....an overflow would not be practical. Everything is set up for long absences.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9877313#post9877313 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by REEF-DADDY
Liter meter with float switch. You measure your evap, which say hypothetically is 15 liters per day. Set your liter meter to 17 liters per day and set up your float switch in your sump. Even if the float switch fouls you'll only get 2 extra liters. I don't even use the float switch, however it can add an extra measure of safety.
Click to expand...


That's not quite the issue here...unless I'm misinterpreting your idea.

What I need is...a connection that my AC3 can read from a float switch ....like was earlier mentioned....then I need a type of float switch that activates that connection when the water gets low....which then tells the AC3 to turn off the skimmer. So, I need a float swirch that is always submerged until needed. Because of this, I don't want a float switch which I have to drill the sump to mount (since it's submerged all the time). I'd perfer a unit that could hang down into the sump.

Right now, my top off is as you described. I have a resevoir that my RO unit keeps filled...my litermeter pulls from that a set amount to add to the tank per day....right now that's about 9 gals a day.
 
Last edited:
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9880175#post9880175 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by steveweast
That's not quite the issue here...unless I'm misinterpreting your idea.

What I need is...a connection that my AC3 can read from a float switch ....like was earlier mentioned....then I need a type of float switch that activates that connection when the water gets low....which then tells the AC3 to turn off the skimmer. So, I need a float swirch that is always submerged until needed. Because of this, I don't want a float switch which I have to drill the sump to mount (since it's submerged all the time). I'd perfer a unit that could hang down into the sump.

Right now, my top off is as you described. I have a resevoir that my RO unit keeps filled...my litermeter pulls from that a set amount to add to the tank per day....right now that's about 9 gals a day.
Click to expand...

Contact Jdieck of the chemistry calculator fame. He has his skimmer cup plumbed into a 10 gallon resivior which once filled shuts a ping pong ball that shuts the skimmer air off once his resivoir is filled. I saw it a few weekends ago in person and it is a great failsafe. He has a specialty in automation and has a great failsafe for this type of system. It basically cuts off all air to the skimmer when the ping pong ball reaches the surface of a cylinder. Once you cut off the air to the skimmer that would effectively cut off the skimming possibility of the system. He runs his air intake to the skimmer to a carbon output with the intake being above the surface of the top of the resivoir level. It really is quite ingeniuos. I hope I explained it right

He is on the forums more than I am and will post the diagrams before I can find them. He and boomer are the replacements for RHF. I have a picture of the room but I don't think you can tell how it works from the pictures I took.

Hope this helps.
 
Looks like this just came out from Neptune. This may be part of what your looking for:
http://www.neptunesys.com/probes.htm#IOBREAKOUT


<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9880175#post9880175 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by steveweast
That's not quite the issue here...unless I'm misinterpreting your idea.

What I need is...a connection that my AC3 can read from a float switch ....like was earlier mentioned....then I need a type of float switch that activates that connection when the water gets low....which then tells the AC3 to turn off the skimmer. So, I need a float swirch that is always submerged until needed. Because of this, I don't want a float switch which I have to drill the sump to mount (since it's submerged all the time). I'd perfer a unit that could hang down into the sump.

Right now, my top off is as you described. I have a resevoir that my RO unit keeps filled...my litermeter pulls from that a set amount to add to the tank per day....right now that's about 9 gals a day.
Click to expand...
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9880835#post9880835 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by abark
Contact Jdieck of the chemistry calculator fame. He has his skimmer cup plumbed into a 10 gallon resivior which once filled shuts a ping pong ball that shuts the skimmer air off once his resivoir is filled. I saw it a few weekends ago in person and it is a great failsafe. He has a specialty in automation and has a great failsafe for this type of system. It basically cuts off all air to the skimmer when the ping pong ball reaches the surface of a cylinder. Once you cut off the air to the skimmer that would effectively cut off the skimming possibility of the system. He runs his air intake to the skimmer to a carbon output with the intake being above the surface of the top of the resivoir level. It really is quite ingeniuos. I hope I explained it right

He is on the forums more than I am and will post the diagrams before I can find them. He and boomer are the replacements for RHF. I have a picture of the room but I don't think you can tell how it works from the pictures I took.

Hope this helps.
Click to expand...



This type of failsafe will not be practical for my system. My skimmer cup holds a little over 2 gallons itself....and since it fills and flushes twice a day...plus with the regular skimmate....and considering that I need the skimmer to be self sufficient for up to a month at a time.....the resevoir would have to be impractically large. A float switch system that is tied to my controller is more practical in my case.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9881508#post9881508 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jacob30
Looks like this just came out from Neptune. This may be part of what your looking for:
http://www.neptunesys.com/probes.htm#IOBREAKOUT
Click to expand...


That will work just great.....thanks. Now, I just need to find a reliable, electronic float switch that will activate under a low water situation that can drop into my sump and it's a done deal.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9881863#post9881863 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by steveweast
That will work just great.....thanks. Now, I just need to find a reliable, electronic float switch that will activate under a low water situation that can drop into my sump and it's a done deal.
Click to expand...

Don't we all. Steve, any new pictures of any new additions?
 
steveweast

steveweast

I think you can get a 120v float switch from Lifereef.com.
It is a reversible switch made very well and you can plug all your skimmer pumps to it.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9882653#post9882653 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jnarowe
Why use 120V when you can use 12V and hook it into the controller?
Click to expand...
One of the best float switch ever made , they are made by lifereef . I have see them running with no problems for many many years. If you own one you will know.:D
 
Have you thought of using an ultrasonic level sensor? accurate to oh, 1mm or better. I've used 'em in applications ranging from sewage to crude oil, when failure would cost millions of dollars.
 
I thought that I would do a final update on this topic for closure. I finally finished installing the float switch today. The float switch is an inexpensice float switch from Macmaster. I extended the wires from the float switch through a clear acrylic tubing and filled the tubing with a black pourable epoxy. The switch was then plugged into the interface box from Neptune which allows the float switch to talk to my controller. I have the controller programmed (when a low water level is detected) to turn off the skimmer as well as all halides and UV. So far it works great....and since that I completely drain my sump once a month during water changes, I can test the float switch monthly. Here's a pic of the finished float switch which just hangs down into the sump. Total cost was $40.



floatswitch.jpg




As for the tank....it will be a long and slow rebuilding process. I've been able to take advantage of the generosity of a few local reefers as well as take advantage of a former reefer's tank tear down that yielded a few larger (although brownish) colonies. After this and a few purchases....the tank looks like this today.....still under-whelming.....but a start. Thanks all for your suggestions on the float switch....it really is something that should have been in place since the beginning.



tank2.jpg



tank1.jpg
 
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