auto top off - sump float valve/switch position?

[jandree22]

How do you guys have your auto top off setup... specifically, in your sump, do you use a float valve or a float switch? Also, what portion of the sump is either located? I'm having trouble contemplating how water level vs. top off is managed in a sump setup as it's somewhat variable due to fluctuations in the overflow rate. Hack job MS Paint diagrams are always welcome, of course :lol:

I never used a sump before, but I'm planning on moving up my 75 out of our basement into my living room, drilling it, and plumbing a basement sump. Even if a float valve is ideal in the actual sump rather than the float switch, I'll still hook up a float switch in a reservoir controlling a solenoid from my RO/DI to completely automate it.

 

[kaskiles]

I use:
Timer clock:
http://www.smarthome.com/1090.html
Timer switch:
http://www.smarthome.com/2002.html
Low flow water pump (normal air-line tubing fits on this):
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/Plumbing- ... P-OFF-PUMP)/product_info.html

Any tank or pail with a lid will hold the pump and it's top off water. Main thing with any top off is to test it while watching it closely and make sure you have not siphon (in either direction...). Make sure it turns off without water slowly leaking from the tank to the reservoir or reservoir to tank.

Thanks, Kenneth.

 

[scifi_3d_zoo]

I spent a little extra and bought the JBJ ATO switch. It comes with two float switches. You can use one as a auto-on when water gets too low and one as a auto-off if it's too high. Whatever you do use at least one backup like this. Just think about... what if this or that failed... what would be the consequences? And plan accordingly. Plan for the worst and hope for the best. There are a lot of things that can go wrong and you could end up with a flood, dead tank, or both. Whatever you do never hook you tank up to a large water resevoir. I have a 90gal tank and a 15gal ATO... and my sump can hold the entire 15gal just in case it didn't turn off for some reason. Still could affect my salinity and other parameters though.