vacuum water top off system...does it work?

[tim000]

yea I know that the the jug has to be hight than the tank, i'm just going to try hanging it from the ceiling

heres my next question...could I do basically the same setup but put a inline float switch on the dripping tube and would that keep it from flooding?

thanks!

 

[reefNewbie]

Alright, I currently have a drip system and am sick of it. I want to buy that float switch and a PH. Anyone have any good plans on how to hook everything up, or is it quite self explanatory? thanks

anyone have these plans?

 

[esmithiii]

Reef Newbie- Check out this thread: http://reefs.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=22147

Here are the plans (reprint of what I wrote in the above thread)

Basically when the level in the sump drops due to evaporation, a relay in the float switch control box kicks in and allows current to flow from the plug for the float switch (which is plugged into the GFCI in my drawing or any outlet) to the powerhead which pumps fresh water from the reservoir to the sump, which raises the water level. When the float switch (which is really just a floating bob) rises with the water level, it cuts the power to the powerhead and the water stops flowing.

Important tip! You must have an antisiphon hole in the tubing towards the top of the tubing in the reservoir or a siphon will be created the first time water is pumped and this can cause the whole reservoir to empty into the sump.

Here is a photo of my float switch in my sump:

Hope this helps.

 

[reefNewbie]

wow, thanks. Now the float switch you have there is not the one mentioned above for 9.99 is it? this is one of those electronic ones. Im not sure if I want to spend that much money. I was more so wondering how to set up one of the float switches mentioned above for 9.99

 

[esmithiii]

ReefNewbie: It is one I got was packaged as a complete unit (see this link:
Ultralife Float Switch at Premium Aquatics

You can take the 9.99 one and do the same thing with minimal wiring. If you are a DIY type it wouldn't take you but an hour to wire it.

Ernie

 

[reefNewbie]

so if i bought that other one then i would just have to purchase the relay and with some wirring i could make the same thing?

 

[esmithiii]

Bingo. You would also need a PVC fitting and a small section of PVC pipe so that at no time the wiring itself would be under water (if the power went out and the sump water level were to rise, for example.) The switch is threaded so you could screw it into a threaded PVC connector.

Ernie

 

[reefNewbie]

where can i buy the relay from?

 

[esmithiii]

Same place. You have to look this one up though!

Ernie

 

[aquarist=broke]

esmithiii,

Kinda looks like the back of my entertainment center in your sump.....

 

[esmithiii]

Kinda looks like the back of my entertainment center in your sump.....

Yeah, I have my skimmer hooked up using S-Video cables but my heaters only support RCA jacks.

That is an old photo... It is much worse now (Check out this link to the wiring diagram for all the systems:
Ernie's 180G Tank Wiring Schematic

 

[aquarist=broke]

It is much worse now (Check out this link to the wiring diagram for all the systems:

Holy crap....I bet the Electric Company really loves your business.

 

[esmithiii]

I found a link to a DIY float switch design using the switch from grainger:

http://www.mistressreef.homestead.com/f ... %20cleaner