I had an idea last night but I'm not entirely sure how it would work or if it'll work... I know ppl use floats for an auto top off unit in the sump but what about using the float as a trigger to turn off the return pump so it won't run dry if siphon breaks or if water evaporation goes haywire. Right now I lose about 1.5 gallons of water daily due to water evap. My house is at 70 degrees constant, Obviously a lil cooler in a basement where my dt is. Should I run a humidifier to slow down evaporation? Had anyone ever used a float switch for a return pump? If yes how do you wire it up....
Auto shut off for return pump.
- Thread starter Krazykarl
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Blob-79
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pretty much all you need is a float switch..wire that to a relay or solenoid.
Blob-79
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Myself I wouldnt splice anything..not a very safe practice seeing how its going to be underneath over 100gallons of water. It would be best to put the relay and everything in a sealed electircal box. the relay should control a plug outlet.
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crazybizzle
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If anyone does this can u do a write up with pics so someone else can follow it for a diy considering im not that great at making stuff
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shayneh
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My biggest question is why is the set up so precarious that this is even a consideration? A properly designed system should be able to start and stop without any problems and should be capable of running for at least 3-4 days without any sort of supervision. A better idea would be to fix all the problems that are causing this. Evap is a normal hassle we all deal with either by manual top up or ATO but worries of losing syphon or ???? are simply poor system design.
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crazybizzle
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Well i think its good for ppl that go away for days and cannot have anyone check on their tank negative nanc!
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shayneh
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crazybizzle link said:
Ummmm why wouldn't you add some more water to you tank to account for a few days worth of evap.... (Now I feel I need to point out to make sure that if the power is off the sump won't overflow).... or you could add a jug of water on a very simple syphon with a knot in the hose so that it slowly drips back to compensate for evap........Hell for all the money you have tied up in a tank don't be so cheap and pay the neighbor kid $5 or another local reefer to come over and add some damn water back to the tank and feed your fish if your going to be gone so long. Not a negative nanc just pointing out there are hard ways and easy ways to do things and if a system is designed properly you shouldn't require shut offs attached to a float relay to keep from burning up your pump.
Consider this, what will happen if the float sticks up due to salt creep, a snail, or whatever? Happens all the time with ATO's (even worse when they get stuck down)! A failsafe should be exactly that......failsafe. Finally yes I agree, shit does happen but not designing a system properly creates more shit that can happen.
Blob-79
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lol love that we have come so close that were calling each other negative nanc..LOL
seriously though, I understand both sides, I myself ran a DIY siphon overflow for a long time, I didnt have a choice..the tank that was "given"(cant complain lolz) was all tempered glass. However I built in many failsafes. It never broke siphon completely, it had 4 separate siphon tubes for redundancy, even if I didnt prime it corectly it would take weeks for it to break, showing slow rise in display tank water line. I could deal with that. I took many holidays never once showing the guy how to restart the siphon..all he had to do was add RO water for me, and feed the fish. I didnt have to build in a failsafe for the pump because..truthfully i trusted that I didnt need one.
I only say this because ive been there. Would I do it again...Not a chance. The system I have now, it totally failsafe free lol...it doesnt need any. Given you have invested in a larger tank, you should really consider how things are set up. Your only going to burn yourself out with all these "potential problems" I know just in the beginning stages youve had many issues.
In all this lol if you two really want I could make you both something to cut off your pumps. But you have to realize using a float isnt the best and most reliable method. Ive been researching a bit lately (cause im making a ATO for my tank fast before I head off to holidays....lol want my house sitter to be impressed he doesnt have to add water anymore
) Only issue is this kind of peace of mind isnt really cheep..floats, ya pretty cheep.
seriously though, I understand both sides, I myself ran a DIY siphon overflow for a long time, I didnt have a choice..the tank that was "given"(cant complain lolz) was all tempered glass. However I built in many failsafes. It never broke siphon completely, it had 4 separate siphon tubes for redundancy, even if I didnt prime it corectly it would take weeks for it to break, showing slow rise in display tank water line. I could deal with that. I took many holidays never once showing the guy how to restart the siphon..all he had to do was add RO water for me, and feed the fish. I didnt have to build in a failsafe for the pump because..truthfully i trusted that I didnt need one.
I only say this because ive been there. Would I do it again...Not a chance. The system I have now, it totally failsafe free lol...it doesnt need any. Given you have invested in a larger tank, you should really consider how things are set up. Your only going to burn yourself out with all these "potential problems" I know just in the beginning stages youve had many issues.
In all this lol if you two really want I could make you both something to cut off your pumps. But you have to realize using a float isnt the best and most reliable method. Ive been researching a bit lately (cause im making a ATO for my tank fast before I head off to holidays....lol want my house sitter to be impressed he doesnt have to add water anymore
) Only issue is this kind of peace of mind isnt really cheep..floats, ya pretty cheep.
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shayneh
Guest
LOL nothing but love! Provided the overflow is designed to not lose syphon in a power outage why not add one of these bad boys to keep from gradually losing syphon or (Blob-79) as part of an ATO system??
http://www.aquacave.com/detail.aspx?ID=971#Reviews
http://www.aquacave.com/detail.aspx?ID=971#Reviews
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crazybizzle
Guest
haha love it...well eventually ill have a failsafe system, only been doing this for a year so now still learning i wish i knew this stuff a year ago..but thats a pretty cool vac and cheap to.
Just get a float switch is rated for the amperage and volatge of the return pump.. wire it in line with the power cord.. mount it is the sump at your absolute low level. Do not jsut use one fo the small little float switches you get for top off systems and such as they are not rated for the amperage and will fuse the contacts together. You can use the small switches if you use a relay to control the pump. Many different ways to do it.
Blob-79
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shayneh link said:
ya ya I know lol..I kinda wanted to get one...but was too cheep back in the day
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shayneh
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No Blob I mean now.... you can use it as an ATO pump to transfer water.
Blob-79
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ah, gonna have to look into that, was considering directly hooking up my RO I know its kinda risky, it all depends how good these sensors im getting work
I know its kinda risky, it all depends how good these sensors im getting work
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shayneh
Guest
LOL your a braver man than me! I have a vacuum relay ATO and I'm too chicken shit to hook directly to the ro/di. It's just connected to a 5g pail of water and a small maxijet pump when I'm away on business.
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