DIY auto top off - Aquarium Advice

gooyferret · 10-02-2003, 02:47 PM

Well i recieved my float switches and have made a couple of auto top offs. I was gettting sick of adding water all the time so i broke down and made them. Ill get some picks on here shortly. If anyone has any questions how to make them let me know im always willing to help out.

Michel · 10-02-2003, 02:51 PM

Would love to see pictures and or plans since I will be getting my [acronym:da5c39af6a="Reverse osmosis"]RO[/acronym:da5c39af6a]/[acronym:da5c39af6a="Deionization"]DI[/acronym:da5c39af6a] in one week and want to do like you so please keep me posted
Thanks

gooyferret · 10-02-2003, 02:53 PM

Michel, not a problem just need to get some pics off my other comp im on my laptop now. Ill get them on here [acronym:c22515f9cd="As soon as possible"]ASAP[/acronym:c22515f9cd] for ya! Toodles.

gooyferret · 10-06-2003, 06:45 PM

OK heres the pics of the auto-top off sorry about the wait.

gooyferret · 10-06-2003, 06:46 PM

Wiring float switch, complete wires and cpvc for bracing float.

justDIY · 10-06-2003, 07:08 PM

hehe - great idea patching into the extension cord like that

gooyferret · 10-06-2003, 07:11 PM

Hmm thats the only way i could get it to work. Is there another way?

justDIY · 10-06-2003, 07:12 PM

oh, the other thing to watch for is make sure there is an air break between your top-off hose and the water in the sump, so that tank/sump water cannot get drawn back into the resivor once the pump shuts off.

gooyferret · 10-06-2003, 07:19 PM

[acronym:9511767ab1="Laughing out loud"]LOL[/acronym:9511767ab1] the pic is kinda decieving the pipe actually doesnt go much past the lid of the sump so i dont have a syphon effect. Already got that covered!

justDIY · 10-06-2003, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gooyferret

Hmm thats the only way i could get it to work. Is there another way?

Ideally, you would want the float switch to operate a relay, and the relay would turn pump(s) on or off

your way is prefect for operating a small pump like that maxijet

example:

lets say you setup a float switch for a low water level, to shut off a main system pump. If you're running a big tank, that pump will draw a lot of energy, more than the switch may be able to safely handle. So instead, the switch is connected to a relay and a battery, and the relay switches the high power pump on and off according to what the float switch is reading.

10-02-2003, 02:47 PM	#1
gooyferret Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Mankato MN Posts: 805 Images: 11	DIY auto top off Well i recieved my float switches and have made a couple of auto top offs. I was gettting sick of adding water all the time so i broke down and made them. Ill get some picks on here shortly. If anyone has any questions how to make them let me know im always willing to help out. __________________ " 'TAP TAP TAP'...Here fishy fishy fishy"

10-02-2003, 02:51 PM	#2
Michel Aquarium Advice Activist Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada Posts: 134	Would love to see pictures and or plans since I will be getting my [acronym:da5c39af6a="Reverse osmosis"]RO[/acronym:da5c39af6a]/[acronym:da5c39af6a="Deionization"]DI[/acronym:da5c39af6a] in one week and want to do like you so please keep me posted Thanks __________________ Michel

10-02-2003, 02:53 PM	#3
gooyferret Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Mankato MN Posts: 805 Images: 11	Michel, not a problem just need to get some pics off my other comp im on my laptop now. Ill get them on here [acronym:c22515f9cd="As soon as possible"]ASAP[/acronym:c22515f9cd] for ya! Toodles. __________________ " 'TAP TAP TAP'...Here fishy fishy fishy"

10-06-2003, 06:45 PM	#4
gooyferret Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Mankato MN Posts: 805 Images: 11	OK heres the pics of the auto-top off sorry about the wait. __________________ " 'TAP TAP TAP'...Here fishy fishy fishy"

10-06-2003, 06:46 PM	#5
gooyferret Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Mankato MN Posts: 805 Images: 11	Wiring float switch, complete wires and cpvc for bracing float. __________________ " 'TAP TAP TAP'...Here fishy fishy fishy"

10-06-2003, 07:08 PM	#6
justDIY Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Earth Posts: 1,191 Images: 12	hehe - great idea patching into the extension cord like that

10-06-2003, 07:11 PM	#7
gooyferret Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Mankato MN Posts: 805 Images: 11	Hmm thats the only way i could get it to work. Is there another way? __________________ " 'TAP TAP TAP'...Here fishy fishy fishy"

10-06-2003, 07:12 PM	#8
justDIY Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Earth Posts: 1,191 Images: 12	oh, the other thing to watch for is make sure there is an air break between your top-off hose and the water in the sump, so that tank/sump water cannot get drawn back into the resivor once the pump shuts off.

10-06-2003, 07:19 PM	#9
gooyferret Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Mankato MN Posts: 805 Images: 11	[acronym:9511767ab1="Laughing out loud"]LOL[/acronym:9511767ab1] the pic is kinda decieving the pipe actually doesnt go much past the lid of the sump so i dont have a syphon effect. Already got that covered! __________________ " 'TAP TAP TAP'...Here fishy fishy fishy"

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