auto top switch location

[sjatm941]

ok , i did a seach and couldnt find an answer to this question .

if i run a sump/refugium under the main reef tank . where would i put the switch/s for the auto top off ? in the main tank or the sump or both?

thanks

sean

[thefatman]

if you are running a sump, then you would put the float switch in the sump. the display tank will maintain a constant level, due to the overflows, and the return lines.

any evaporation will show in the sump. as that level goes down, it will turn on your top off pump, and refill the sump.

my auto top off has a pretty sensitive switch, so it tops off about 10 or 15 times a day. this maintains a more constant level in the sump, and is better than adding 3 gallons of water each night, all at once.

[sjatm941]

awsome . ive been searching this for a while now and i was just leaning tward that thinking about it . that will be nice so i dont have the switches in visible sight of the main tank. ill have one switch for auto top off and another in case that one sticks.

thanks for your input

sean

[thefatman]

no problem. two switches is a good idea. i have the same.

if you have now, or plan to put in a kalk reactor, it can run from the same setup.

mine is setup as follows:

float switch in sump, triggers a small powerhead in a fw holding tank, this feeds water into the kalk reactor, the kalkreactor overflows into the sump. so 10 or 15 times a day the sump is topped off with kalk mixed water. helps maintain the ph, and keep calcium levels up.

the kalk mixing pump, is also connected to the float switch as well. i just have the float switch wired into a 3 way extention cord, so three things can be triggered by the float.

and yes, nothing is in sight. its all hidden in the sump, leaving the display for fish and corals

[sjatm941]

sounds cool . do you have any pics of your set up . would be interesting to see how you have your Kalkwasser dosing set up.