float switch

[silvia]

Hi guys

I have a quick quesiton, does anybody has any good experience on float switch out in the market? I'm always on business trip and top off water became a really big problem for me. by the way, if there is any, would you please let me know where i can get them too. thank you so much, i would really appreciate.

Silvia

 

[Anonymous]

I have an air driven top off system with a float switch from Grainger on the air pump. http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/productdetail.jsp?xi=xi&ItemId=1611760105. They make several different models and they all work just fine - you just have to make sure the float switch doesn't rub against the side of the sump or tank.

If you want more info on my top off system check out my site http://www.atomicglass.com/aquarium. There are some pics of the system, but now I have a kalk reactor inline and don't mix kalk in the topoff anymore. The site should be updated soon.

RR :mrgreen:

 

[alabrew]

Can't beat the Kent float valve - simple and reliable gravity feed. I have a plastic container that I put a tube from the bottom of it to the float valve. If the container runs out of water, it doesn't continue to try to pump. The plastic container is 18 gal. and it will run over 1 week on my 90 gallon. I did have to switch to a plastic sump to mount it.

 

[Bryan Thompson]

The Kent is great. You do not have to switch to a plastic sump to get it to work. I glued 2 peices of acrylic at a 90 and mounted the switch to that in my sump. I have an extra setup like this if you are interested. Email me at [email protected] if you are interested.

Bryan

 

[dgasmd]

Bryan:

I am definetely interested if someone is has not voiced their interest already. I can't seem to be able to get into my e-mail now, so give me a call at 410-902-0980 so I can make arrangements for shipping/payment.

Thanks
Alberto

 

[Anonymous]

hi.
I use SpectraPuree's liquid level controller. 3 years, and fail-free.

 

[danmhippo]

Spectra Pure's Liquid Level Sensor as well, Maintenance free and no holes to drill either.

 

[Joey1]

I use the ultralife float switch and I love it,although with it's reliance on a powerhead,I worry a bit about rundry...otherwise I don't see how the think could fail in any way,never had a problem in a year now. Joey

 

[Tangy1]

I use the ultralife float switch and I love it,although with it's reliance on a powerhead,I worry a bit about rundry...otherwise I don't see how the think could fail in any way,never had a problem in a year now. Joey

I second the ultralife float switch. I have used it for 18 months. It controls a rio 800. The switch and the pump have rundry several times for at least a day when I forget to fill the fresh water resevoir.

The only problem I have encountered was when a piece of styrofoam wedged itself above the float and kept the switch in the on position. This would have resulted in a flood, however my fresh water resevoir is built into my sump for flood control.

 

[silvia]

Thanks for everybody's reply. sounds like many people are using Kent Float valve
One question, i have did some research on this Kent Float Valve,
but i didn't really understand how it really work, one side of the bulkhead
is to sense or detect the water level, let say if the water level drop below
that bulkhead, what will it do, what is the big black rectangle thing which
connected to it. I'm planning to set this up inside my sump. does anybody has any suggestion. Sorry for this stupid question.

 

[alabrew]

The "big black rectangle thing" is the float. The bulkhead mounts just above the desired water level in your sump and is connected to the make-up water container. When the level of water in the sump drops, the float moves down with it, opening the hole in the bulkhead, allowing make-up water to drip into the sump. When the level returns, the float seals the hole and the make-up water flow stops

 

[silvia]

Hey alabrew

thanks a million time! i was totally wrong! thank you!

Silvia

 

[Sandyreef]

Tunsami Auto Float switch hooked up to a Maxijet.

Haven't had any problems with both of the ones I have installed for over a year.

Sandy

 

[Anonymous]

I use the same type setup as Righty, air driven top-off system with a Kalk reactor inline. This type of system really cuts down on the needed maintenance (ie dripping kalk). All I have to do is add water to the resivoir every other week to the resivoir and kalk to the reactor once a month.

 

[golfish]

IME, you can't beat a float switch. The gravity feed float valves are nice but there very limited to what they can do. You need to be as safe as possible here. The last thing you want is for the switch or vlave to become stuck, flood the house and kill your tank. Using a float valve hooked up to an RO unit is not safe. Using a float switch hooked up to a powerhead is even worse. The best of the best is to use two float switches and a speed adjustble peristaltic pump (Liter meter). If you set the pump to pump a little more then the tank evaps then it will take to overflow the sump and or cause major problems.

 

[Anonymous]

golfish

You said"Using a float valve hooked up to an RO unit is not safe. " Please explain this statement and how many float valve failures have you investigated?