It's so on now - 72g Reef build - Page 49 - Aquarium Advice

**ccCapt** · 04-04-2009, 11:40 AM

Looks great!

jcmelski · 04-19-2009, 07:24 PM

How do you compensate for water that was taken out by the skimmer? Why two switches?

**Ziggy953** · 04-20-2009, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcmelski

How do you compensate for water that was taken out by the skimmer? Why two switches?

Are you talking about the water that is injected into the skimmer body or the water that is pulled out into the collection cup?

The water that is injected into the skimmer body is immediately replaced with water coming out of the skimmer. The water level doesn't drop/change. The very minimal amount of water that is "skimmed" out of the tank isn't going to make much difference to the SG overall.

I'll let Neilan explain the reason behind 2 switches. (think fail safe....)

Tank2379 · 04-20-2009, 03:20 PM

Yeah why 2 switches? Now with the Switch I take it one is in the Sump and the other is in the Fuge?

bawel · 04-20-2009, 03:52 PM

mannn...neilanh, great progress, your tank looks super awesome!

Tank2379 · 04-20-2009, 04:06 PM

Just notice the Orange Spot Gobie.... Cool little guy... Did not want to pair up with any Shrimp (Pistol) well with the one I had he made a mess of everything... I think it was a wild Pistol not sure what kind... But I hear the Tiger Pistol and the Randall Pistol shrimps do well with the Orange Spot.

**neilanh** · 04-20-2009, 06:30 PM

Alright, so Ziggy commented on the skimmer thing - basically what's removed by the skimmer is so minimal it's not an issue.

Why 2 switches. Well, like Ziggy said it's a fail safe. The lower switch is set at my desired water level. The upper switch is just some arbitrary distance above. I set my upper one just to make sure the wiring from the lower didn't interfere with it.

Picture this. A snail gets into your sump. He decides to go checkout your switches, and gets himself lodged in the switch so that it can not float. The switch gets stuck in the lower position, telling your controller that you need water. The controller, eager to do his job, closes the relay supplying power to the pump. The pump springs into action, providing refreshing, clean RO water into your sump. Yet, that pesky snail is still there, as the water level continues to rise, and rise, and rise.

So, the second switch is the fail safe. First switch gets stuck, second switch has it's back. Both switches must be down for the circuit to close and send electricity to the pump. If either switch is in the up position, power cannot be applied.

I know, lots of words for a simple explanation, but I don't want you to get bored around here.

GhostKnife · 04-20-2009, 07:46 PM

You set up a normally open circuit. With switches that are in parallel with each other. Nice. I have to fill my tank with about 4 cups of RODI every day. Just found this out because I came home today with a tank full of bubbles. I was worried about my pump but it is okay. Yikes. A new regiment is now in effect.

GhostKnife · 04-20-2009, 07:54 PM

Ahhh what type of pump do you have in your little reef crystal/ RODI bucket? Do you have a heater on it? That may sound dumb but I didnt know how little or how much it would top off during the day.

jcmelski · 04-20-2009, 09:10 PM

I figured it was a failsafe of some kind but I wasn't sure. What is the part number to the solenoid and it's base/holder looking thing. this looks simple to make. Could you post a diagram of your set-up?