The best Float Switches??

[phishschtick]

I want to place a float switch for a high water level power pump off situation (in my skimate collection bucket) and a float switch for a low water level power pump off situation in my downstairs sump.

Who makes and carries the best options?? Any suggestions?

Thanks

[goodfortune]

Hi Dale:


Check out these two float switches, appearently made for top-off water service:

Tsunami Auto Top Off

http://www.reefcentral.com/modules.p...wcontent&id=48

Ultralife Float Switch

http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewIt...Product=UL1111


Since my float switch incident, I've been a bit leery of float switches in general. I'd be interested in what others might have to say about suitable float switches as well.

HTH,
Michael

[georgiajams]

Yeah. I'm pretty much terrified of them. The Kent float valves, so long as you only use RO, seem to be fairly reliable. But even then, the most I keep on them is 5g of RO. So, it wouldn't be a disaster if it failed and dumped it all in the tank.

I'm contemplating getting an automatic cutoff for the RO water filter from AquaFX. Has anyone had any float switch problems with RO switch valves? That could be a HUGE disaster if it didn't cut off. Thus I'm sort of worried and have been putting it off because of that. But, I'm thinkiing I could make an overflow on the storage unit that plumbs into the drain of the house in case the float switch failed.

[kpatterson]

Dale,
These are the float switches I'm using for in my reservoir:
http://www.floatswitches.net/floatswitch.html

Here is a link to the thread showing the float switch and set up I used for in my sump:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...hreadid=140759

I ahve not had any problems with any of these so far (installed for 6 months). I do use Kent float valves for backups .

HTH

[davidc]

From reading this thread I just got an idea - an external water level switch.

If I could make a device that sticks to the outside with a suction cup, has no moving parts, and no contact with the water...would anyone be interested? You could use it to control a pump just like a float switch.

I'm convinced it can be done, and I just might do it!

===>DavidC

[georgiajams]

Sounds good! If you can make it, they will come.

BTW, suction cups are handy, but you might want to also offer more reliable means for attaching the proposed device.

[goodfortune]

You mean, like an ultrasonic transducer? That would be kinda neat, but it would seem that putting one together would be pretty expensive. In any case, I'd like to see what you have in mind.

- Michael

Originally Posted by davidc

From reading this thread I just got an idea - an external water level switch.

If I could make a device that sticks to the outside with a suction cup, has no moving parts, and no contact with the water...would anyone be interested? You could use it to control a pump just like a float switch.

I'm convinced it can be done, and I just might do it!

===>DavidC

[Melissa]

Originally Posted by georgiajams

Sounds good! If you can make it, they will come.

BTW, suction cups are handy, but you might want to also offer more reliable means for attaching the proposed device.

A strong magnet would be great unless it would affect the way the device works.

[Flightmedic]

I have used the Kent float valve/RODI shutoff kit in 2 aquariums, for over 4 years with no problems.

Brad

[goodfortune]

I actually bought a Kent Float Valve a few weks ago, but haven't installed it yet. It seemed that I didn't have enough room in the sump to allow the float to move and down without bumping into anything.

For some reason this thread has given me an idea; I'll let you all know how it turns out.

- Michael

[davidc]

goodfortune - not ultrasonic. very cheeeep in fact! Mwuahhhahaha...now I've got another experiment to begin! My wife will be so happy!

Melissa - I like the magnet Idea, should not be a problem. BTW - the frags seem to be doing well so far!

Expect to hear about this soon at least from the DIY section Hush-hush for now...

===>DavidC

[goodfortune]

Oooh, Oooh, I know what'll make a cheap but effective auto top off:
- A pet vacationwater bowl!

Well maybe not the bowl itself, but the general operating principle. You know how if the water level drops in the vacation water bowl, there is a valve in the resevior opening that will drop to release more water, until the valve floats off the shut of the resevior?

Wow! Once again, you guys have given me another idea....

- Michael

Originally Posted by davidc

goodfortune - not ultrasonic. very cheeeep in fact! Mwuahhhahaha...now I've got another experiment to begin! My wife will be so happy!

Melissa - I like the magnet Idea, should not be a problem. BTW - the frags seem to be doing well so far!

Expect to hear about this soon at least from the DIY section Hush-hush for now...

===>DavidC

[davidc]

actually this is much easier (but yours sounds cooler!):

get an airtight container that has airline hose exiting near the bottom. let this drip into your sump. this is the output hose.

another hose exits the top of the container and the loose end of it is positioned at the desired water level in your sump. this is the input hose.

Fill the container with water. If the input hose is under water, the container will not be able to release any extra water through the output hose, because there will be a vacuum. If the input hose is out of water, then the container can drip water out the output hose while air comes in through the input hose. When the sump fills up, the input hose is covered again so it stops releasing water.

Yours is still cooler though!

[phishschtick]

Thanks folks for the input

[akula]

Tunze makes an infrared water level switch. The Nurce is a product that works the same as the container with the output/airline idea.