View Full Version : float switch in TC
I'm putting together a simple auto top-off for my tank. I've got a storage container, tubing and a pump, but I need a float switch to regulate the water-flow. Any suggestions for finding this in TC? WoF has it for $114, and Menards only has huge ones, and ONE that would be perfect except it has an alarm attached to it (meant to shut off power when a laundry tub is about to overflow). I'm looking to do it on the cheap as actually stocking the aquarium will be my big expense of the month...
mtfatwork
03-14-2007, 07:05 PM
wes, I have a much cheaper alternative that I use if you would like to come over and check it out, you are more than welcome to. Maybe you and your better half could stop over after the speaker meeting?
LMK,
Mary
foshmonger
03-14-2007, 07:35 PM
you know ive been thinking about a toilet tank float system the new ones are small and single unit. you would have to bottom drill the tank and install the fitting from the bottom but... hmmm?
That might be possible; I'd like to but I'll have to check with her. Seems like I have to check with her about everything these days... :doh: She may have something pre-planned for me (last time it was a fondue that I was unaware of...:rolleyes:)
mtfatwork
03-14-2007, 07:47 PM
right on, just let me know. Total for my topoff system minus the kalkreactor was like 25 bucks, if that, and works awsome :)
wow, that is pretty impressive... I like figureing out ways to save money for the stuff I'd really like to spend it on... the stuff that goes IN the tank. Is it the gravity feed siphon? The reason I haven't done that one is because I'd rather keep it out of sight.
David Grigor
03-15-2007, 02:47 PM
If you want to build your own:
You can get the float switch at grainger and the 12v relay at Radio Shack if you want to go that route. But really getting the kit from aquahub.com will be cheaper and don't have to track down the parts.
But I will put a disclaimer though. YOU MUST BUILD REDUNDANCY when using float switches. They will fail at some point it's just a matter of when. Next month or 3 years from now but the little reed in them is the weak link. So plan your topoff solution to account for it to stick in the on position so you don't overflow your sump or even more important with Kalkwasser that your don't add too much too fast....
mtfatwork
03-15-2007, 03:06 PM
wow, that is pretty impressive... I like figureing out ways to save money for the stuff I'd really like to spend it on... the stuff that goes IN the tank. Is it the gravity feed siphon? The reason I haven't done that one is because I'd rather keep it out of sight.
I have it set up as gravity feed, but there are ways to get around that as well :)
I had been planning on dosing kalk seperatly at night, with other supplements in the top off(kent coral vite and essential elements). I had planned on putting the auto top off on a timer so it only runs maybe 15 minutes a day, so top offs still happen regularly but a malfunction would be much less damaging. Either that or have a second "overflow" float switch below the top of the tank. Also, I'm going to give the auto top off some space in the actual tank, so should everything fail, unless the tank had just been filled and the resiviour is completly full, there'd be enough room in the tank to save it from a big spill.
If you want to build your own:
You can get the float switch at grainger and the 12v relay at Radio Shack if you want to go that route. But really getting the kit from aquahub.com will be cheaper and don't have to track down the parts.
But I will put a disclaimer though. YOU MUST BUILD REDUNDANCY when using float switches. They will fail at some point it's just a matter of when. Next month or 3 years from now but the little reed in them is the weak link. So plan your topoff solution to account for it to stick in the on position so you don't overflow your sump or even more important with Kalkwasser that your don't add too much too fast....
David Grigor
03-15-2007, 05:00 PM
Limiting the size of the bucket, and/or amount of time are all good fine ways. I personally don't count a second float switch as a good redundancy plan. If amp/volt spike was the cause for blowing the first switch it could easily take out the second one too so I would do at least one of the other two methods as well.
In the event you end up adding Kalk to the autotopoff added piece of redundancy is to be sure it is slow enough. 15 minutes could still dump a whole lot of Kalk depending on the flow and or method. IMO: A dosing pump is the ideal way to limit the flow without potential clogging issues that can happen with drip and gravity feeds.
I'm putting together a simple auto top-off for my tank. I've got a storage container, tubing and a pump, but I need a float switch to regulate the water-flow. Any suggestions for finding this in TC? WoF has it for $114, and Menards only has huge ones, and ONE that would be perfect except it has an alarm attached to it (meant to shut off power when a laundry tub is about to overflow). I'm looking to do it on the cheap as actually stocking the aquarium will be my big expense of the month...
My top off set up is similar. Its a gravity feed set up with a float valve from US Plastics. I got an extra float and swap them out every couple months for an overnight vinegar soak. Float is like $7 and is smaller/cheaper than the Kent float.
Patrick
03-16-2007, 06:24 PM
go to any grainger store you want part #2a554
Right now I rinse my gravity feed daily, and my fiance just brough home a half dozen IV bags, but I'm sure that someday soon enough I'll tire of this method and move to a dosing pump, but for now, I'm going to keep it this way. I'm in school, gotta figure out someway to keep costs down...
Limiting the size of the bucket, and/or amount of time are all good fine ways. I personally don't count a second float switch as a good redundancy plan. If amp/volt spike was the cause for blowing the first switch it could easily take out the second one too so I would do at least one of the other two methods as well.
In the event you end up adding Kalk to the autotopoff added piece of redundancy is to be sure it is slow enough. 15 minutes could still dump a whole lot of Kalk depending on the flow and or method. IMO: A dosing pump is the ideal way to limit the flow without potential clogging issues that can happen with drip and gravity feeds.
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