Where to place Float Switch - Question

fkbsar · 06/17/2009, 02:13 PM

Well...I'm tired of carrying water and decided to make an ATO but I don't know where to effectively place the switch. I was thinking in the sump. Where do you have yours? Would you upload a picture?

THE ROOK · 06/17/2009, 02:40 PM

place it in the return section of the sump. That should be the same section that shows the daily evaporation.

fkbsar · 06/17/2009, 02:43 PM

Thanks, my thoughts exactly but I saw somewhere where someone had the switch in the display tank and that kinda confused me for placement.

Tswifty · 06/17/2009, 02:48 PM

As stated above... return section of the sump.

Also, it's nice if you can use 2 float switches and have one as a back up or fail safe to shut the ATO pump down if it would happen to stick on for any reason.

fishwonder · 06/17/2009, 02:51 PM

I have auto top off at the return pump section of the sum. Mine has 4 sections: 1st for water over flown from DT, 2nd refugium, 3rd skimmer, 4th return pump. I don't have pix. I just had auto top off 3 weeks ago after an accident: Turned on water top off from R/O and forgot all night. The next morning, the floor was soaking wet, sality to nil like fresh water. I slowly added salt mixed water in 1 week. All survied though I had to clean up the mess and no time to enjoy watching. A disaster without auto top-off most likely happens.

fkbsar · 06/17/2009, 03:16 PM

good idea Tswifty I'll order another one right away. How would I wire something like that? I have just the float switch wired into the electrical cord. Can you explain how to wire two switches please.

06/17/2009, 02:13 PM	#1
fkbsar Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 957	Where to place Float Switch - Question Well...I'm tired of carrying water and decided to make an ATO but I don't know where to effectively place the switch. I was thinking in the sump. Where do you have yours? Would you upload a picture? __________________ ~Fran~ "Life and Favor" - John P. Kee (4) 54w T5s, Coral Beauty, Black and White, Chromis, 6-line Wrasse, and the Support Staff Current Tank Info: 72g Bowfront 20g sump/refugium

06/17/2009, 02:43 PM	#3
fkbsar Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 957	Thanks, my thoughts exactly but I saw somewhere where someone had the switch in the display tank and that kinda confused me for placement. __________________ ~Fran~ "Life and Favor" - John P. Kee (4) 54w T5s, Coral Beauty, Black and White, Chromis, 6-line Wrasse, and the Support Staff Current Tank Info: 72g Bowfront 20g sump/refugium

06/17/2009, 02:48 PM	#4
Tswifty Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: PA Posts: 14,022	As stated above... return section of the sump. Also, it's nice if you can use 2 float switches and have one as a back up or fail safe to shut the ATO pump down if it would happen to stick on for any reason. __________________ "Enough light? Heck I could go barebottom and grow SPS in the stand!" - DiscoReefRover

06/17/2009, 02:51 PM	#5
fishwonder Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Everett, WA Posts: 92	Auto topoff I have auto top off at the return pump section of the sum. Mine has 4 sections: 1st for water over flown from DT, 2nd refugium, 3rd skimmer, 4th return pump. I don't have pix. I just had auto top off 3 weeks ago after an accident: Turned on water top off from R/O and forgot all night. The next morning, the floor was soaking wet, sality to nil like fresh water. I slowly added salt mixed water in 1 week. All survied though I had to clean up the mess and no time to enjoy watching. A disaster without auto top-off most likely happens.

06/17/2009, 03:16 PM	#6
fkbsar Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 957	good idea Tswifty I'll order another one right away. How would I wire something like that? I have just the float switch wired into the electrical cord. Can you explain how to wire two switches please. __________________ ~Fran~ "Life and Favor" - John P. Kee (4) 54w T5s, Coral Beauty, Black and White, Chromis, 6-line Wrasse, and the Support Staff Current Tank Info: 72g Bowfront 20g sump/refugium

06/17/2009, 02:40 PM	#2
THE ROOK Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Springfield, MA Posts: 2,100	place it in the return section of the sump. That should be the same section that shows the daily evaporation.