Adding float switch to Skimmer cup?

bluetang_2000 · 04/08/2009, 03:11 PM

Anyone done this to the skimmer cup so that when the cup overflow, the aquacontroller would turn off the skimmer pump? Pic would be appreciated. Thanks

DeathWish302 · 04/08/2009, 03:48 PM

I tried it with my existing ATO components and ran it directly to the pump. It worked, but I felt the cost was outweighed by the fact it will 'stop' skimming when the cup is full as-is. If you have a drain line to say a 5gal bucket, that's when this could be handy. No aquacontroller experience though....

THE ROOK · 04/08/2009, 04:11 PM

Seems that a single float ato would work nicely. Just drill a hole in the lid, install float, flip float to change direction & add a connector to the float wiring so lid may be removed. Then simply plug the skimmer into the ato.

Autotopoff or aquahub would work well for this. Could diy it & save $10-$20 possibly.

THE ROOK · 04/08/2009, 04:13 PM

Another option I've read about is to simply plumb the air line into the skimmer cup. Once the cup fills & blocks the air line the skimmer will stop producing but would still stay running.

This would be no cost to try, though.

DeathWish302 · 04/08/2009, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by THE ROOK
Another option I've read about is to simply plumb the air line into the skimmer cup. Once the cup fills & blocks the air line the skimmer will stop producing but would still stay running.

This would be no cost to try, though.

I would advise against this if your running an recirculating skimmer and especially the QO/Sicce line of pumps. You will trash the impellor if it doesn't pull air for a week while your away. Just a heads up on this specific case, as I'm sure everyone has their expereince.

Just My $0.02...

uncleof6 · 04/08/2009, 04:23 PM

For a skimmer to work efficiently, it must be cleaned no less than every other day. Allowing to the cup to fill to the point that it may overflow is a poor maintenance practice to begin with. Adding a float switch to turn it off is pointless. A far better "mod" would be to add a hole in the bottom of the cup, and run tubing to a remote collection point. But even this encourages poor maintenance practices. I hear people trying to increase the efficiency of the skimmer a thousand times over, yet they are neglecting this most basic concept. With skimmer efficiency, this is the second biggest reason for a lack thereof. The first is an improperly sized skimmer to begin with.

Regards,

Jim

DeathWish302 · 04/08/2009, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by uncleof6
For a skimmer to work efficiently, it must be cleaned no less than every other day. Allowing to the cup to fill to the point that it may overflow is a poor maintenance practice to begin with. Adding a float switch to turn it off is pointless. A far better "mod" would be to add a hole in the bottom of the cup, and run tubing to a remote collection point. But even this encourages poor maintenance practices. I hear people trying to increase the efficiency of the skimmer a thousand times over, yet they are neglecting this most basic concept. With skimmer efficiency, this is the second biggest reason for a lack thereof. The first is an improperly sized skimmer to begin with.

Regards,

Jim

Where did he state he wanted to go 3 weeks w/o cleaning the skimmer?

Quote:

Allowing to the cup to fill to the point that it may overflow is a poor maintenance practice to begin with.

Not possible in every instance if you travel alot as I do.

Quote:

A far better "mod" would be to add a hole in the bottom of the cup, and run tubing to a remote collection point.

Agreed!

Why the attack on maintenance practices? He asked a simple question on hooking up a float switch to a controller???

bluetang_2000 · 04/08/2009, 04:30 PM

thank to all for the suggestion. I didn't plan to add the float sw as a way to minimize maintenance, but as a safety feature that in case the skimmer skimmed very wet and filled up the cup too quickly, and an alarm can be sent to me by the controller.

Reefbox · 04/08/2009, 04:49 PM

These ATB skimmers have float switches in the collection cup.

http://glassbox-design.com/2009/new-...tight-quarter/

uncleof6 · 04/08/2009, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DeathWish302
Where did he state he wanted to go 3 weeks w/o cleaning the skimmer?

Not possible in every instance if you travel alot as I do.

Agreed!

Why the attack on maintenance practices? He asked a simple question on hooking up a float switch to a controller???

Because I usually will try to apply a concept or principle behind my objection to any particular method or practice. That principle may or may not apply in all situations. And i will generally give an alternative, unless the idea totally lacks any thought or logic. There is thought and logic behind this idea, as you have pointed out, but there is the downside that is applicable also. The next objection after the one I made, would be relying on a mechanical/electrical device that can and does fail. At least you saw it for what it was, an "attack" on a practice, rather than an individual and his idea.

Best Regards,

Jim

bluetang_2000 · 04/08/2009, 04:59 PM

no hard feeling, uncleof6. Should have been more clear of my intent in the original post. But thanks for the concept behind it.

uncleof6 · 04/08/2009, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Reefbox
These ATB skimmers have float switches in the collection cup.

http://glassbox-design.com/2009/new-...tight-quarter/

Though an ATB skimmer is a good skimmer, I would voice the same two concerns with this also. Opting for the tubing to a remote collection, if necessary.

Jim

THE ROOK · 04/08/2009, 05:18 PM

I do agree remote collection works well. Used it with my previous recirc. skimmer.

bluetang_2000 · 04/08/2009, 05:23 PM

the skimmer collection cup for my MSX200 already has hole drilled for remote collection. So the main concern here that I am try to address is quick overflow.

THE ROOK · 04/08/2009, 05:33 PM

Use a larger remote container. That drain will work.

uncleof6 · 04/08/2009, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by THE ROOK
Use a larger remote container. That drain will work.

Ditto.

Jim

driftin · 04/08/2009, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by THE ROOK
Use a larger remote container. That drain will work.

I can see where the OP is coming from though - I epoxied a frag in place, which triggered a crazy reaction in my skimmer - filled my 1-gallon collection bucket in about 30 minutes. I happened to have my stand doors open and saw it, but if I hadn't... a float switch for an alarm is nice peace of mind.

DeathWish302 · 04/08/2009, 09:02 PM

uncleof6 - No hard feelings if I came off a bit edgy. I just remember a thread awhile back about those that do water changes by wet skimming. A float valve would work in this application perfect for an exact pull every time. I just had a one-track mind on this type of system and know you have very logical points.

Sounds as though Bluetang you have it all figured out.

Cheers!

bluetang_2000 · 04/08/2009, 09:14 PM

now have to figure out how to drill a hole in the lid and install the float switch. Anyone have a pic of similar setup?

boatbuilder · 04/08/2009, 09:20 PM

look up e-bay item# 290295712153
or
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...0%3D%26fvi%3D1

I purchased one of these for the same reason (wet skimming over flowing collection bucket.......making auto top off run overtime lowering salinity) hooked up to an Iwaki MD70 works fann friggin tastic! and for only $6.00 INCLUDING shipping you can't go wrong. Very simple to install and wire. Rated for 10 amps. So unless you are running over 1/4hp pump it will work.

THE ROOK · 04/09/2009, 06:04 AM

bluetang - You'll need to have the float in hand so you can determine the drill bit size. Most likely you'll be able to just enlarge one of the holes in the lid. Just make sure the float won't touch the side or center of the cup.

As I mentioned earlier, grab some sort of 2 wire connector. I'd go with a strong waterproof type. Hopefully it will last longer. Without this, you won't be able to remove the lid from the sump area easily.

I'd also look into boatbuilder's idea. Sounds like it worked for him & it's very cheap to try it out.

One more thought, how about drilling a remote overflow container & place the float sensor there?

bluetang_2000 · 04/09/2009, 07:11 AM

The rook, that's an excellent idea. now why didn't I think of that, remote overflow container and float sensor, instead of drilling the lid. The container is much cheaper than the lid, so as the sensor. Best of two worlds.

boatbuilder, thanks for the overflow recommendation. picked up two last night.

sunsetSPS · 04/09/2009, 11:10 AM

what you try to achieve by adding a float switch detector? I don't see much different between stop skimming or keep skimming and let it overflow, the amount of overflow will be back to the sump as it has never been skimmed. At least let it overflow could give you a day or more of skimming (as the overflow level usually higher than float switch detected level). Either clean it regularly or having remote collector can, if you are lazy person then you can add 20G collection can and forget about it for a year or so.

THE ROOK · 04/09/2009, 11:16 AM

What if it's an external skimmer that could trash your stand and/or carpet by overflowing?

sunsetSPS · 04/09/2009, 11:25 AM

all skimmers usually have the collector drain pipe, and if there is a drain pipe you can hang it to the sump same level of the overflow if it's external. Why use F150 to kill an ant? I don't see why running external skimmer w/o a collection can, especially for lazy people.

Just throw my opinions around, I love new ideas too and many of my new ideas also crazy/stupid ideas too. ETSS skimmer has a collection cup that has a shut off feature that is a very simple design. I'm sure many people are thinking of way to detect their collection can overflow and after that they are thinking about the way to detect the failure of the system they built to detect their overflow collection can.....

04/08/2009, 03:11 PM	#1
bluetang_2000 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bayarea Posts: 469	Adding float switch to Skimmer cup? Anyone done this to the skimmer cup so that when the cup overflow, the aquacontroller would turn off the skimmer pump? Pic would be appreciated. Thanks

04/08/2009, 03:48 PM	#2
DeathWish302 Clown Hoarder Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Wixom, MI Posts: 1,603	I tried it with my existing ATO components and ran it directly to the pump. It worked, but I felt the cost was outweighed by the fact it will 'stop' skimming when the cup is full as-is. If you have a drain line to say a 5gal bucket, that's when this could be handy. No aquacontroller experience though.... __________________ -Frank Save 'Wild' Nemo and his Nem.! Would you transplant a Redwood b/c it looks good with birds in the backyard??? Buy CB fish and Captive-Cloned nems. Current Tank Info: 175gal. 3-tier Reef, 400W/250W Radiums, LED/CFL Par38 Mangrove Lagoon 12g Aquapod GBTA 'sterile' tank w/ DIY LED Lighting

04/08/2009, 04:23 PM	#6
uncleof6 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: AWOL Posts: 12,013	For a skimmer to work efficiently, it must be cleaned no less than every other day. Allowing to the cup to fill to the point that it may overflow is a poor maintenance practice to begin with. Adding a float switch to turn it off is pointless. A far better "mod" would be to add a hole in the bottom of the cup, and run tubing to a remote collection point. But even this encourages poor maintenance practices. I hear people trying to increase the efficiency of the skimmer a thousand times over, yet they are neglecting this most basic concept. With skimmer efficiency, this is the second biggest reason for a lack thereof. The first is an improperly sized skimmer to begin with. Regards, Jim __________________ "Things should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler." (oft attributed to Einstein; most likely paraphrasing by Roger Sessions; compactly articulates the principle of Occam's Razor) Current Tank Info: 325 6' wide Reef

04/08/2009, 04:49 PM	#9
Reefbox Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Butler, PA Posts: 1,045	These ATB skimmers have float switches in the collection cup. http://glassbox-design.com/2009/new-...tight-quarter/ __________________ Jason

04/08/2009, 09:02 PM	#18
DeathWish302 Clown Hoarder Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Wixom, MI Posts: 1,603	uncleof6 - No hard feelings if I came off a bit edgy. I just remember a thread awhile back about those that do water changes by wet skimming. A float valve would work in this application perfect for an exact pull every time. I just had a one-track mind on this type of system and know you have very logical points. Sounds as though Bluetang you have it all figured out. Cheers! __________________ -Frank Save 'Wild' Nemo and his Nem.! Would you transplant a Redwood b/c it looks good with birds in the backyard??? Buy CB fish and Captive-Cloned nems. Current Tank Info: 175gal. 3-tier Reef, 400W/250W Radiums, LED/CFL Par38 Mangrove Lagoon 12g Aquapod GBTA 'sterile' tank w/ DIY LED Lighting

04/08/2009, 04:11 PM	#3
THE ROOK Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Springfield, MA Posts: 2,100	Seems that a single float ato would work nicely. Just drill a hole in the lid, install float, flip float to change direction & add a connector to the float wiring so lid may be removed. Then simply plug the skimmer into the ato. Autotopoff or aquahub would work well for this. Could diy it & save $10-$20 possibly.

04/08/2009, 04:13 PM	#4
THE ROOK Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Springfield, MA Posts: 2,100	Another option I've read about is to simply plumb the air line into the skimmer cup. Once the cup fills & blocks the air line the skimmer will stop producing but would still stay running. This would be no cost to try, though.

04/08/2009, 04:30 PM	#8
bluetang_2000 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bayarea Posts: 469	thank to all for the suggestion. I didn't plan to add the float sw as a way to minimize maintenance, but as a safety feature that in case the skimmer skimmed very wet and filled up the cup too quickly, and an alarm can be sent to me by the controller.

04/08/2009, 04:59 PM	#11
bluetang_2000 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bayarea Posts: 469	no hard feeling, uncleof6. Should have been more clear of my intent in the original post. But thanks for the concept behind it.

04/08/2009, 05:18 PM	#13
THE ROOK Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Springfield, MA Posts: 2,100	I do agree remote collection works well. Used it with my previous recirc. skimmer.

04/08/2009, 05:23 PM	#14
bluetang_2000 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bayarea Posts: 469	the skimmer collection cup for my MSX200 already has hole drilled for remote collection. So the main concern here that I am try to address is quick overflow.

04/08/2009, 05:33 PM	#15
THE ROOK Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Springfield, MA Posts: 2,100	Use a larger remote container. That drain will work.

04/08/2009, 09:14 PM	#19
bluetang_2000 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bayarea Posts: 469	now have to figure out how to drill a hole in the lid and install the float switch. Anyone have a pic of similar setup?

04/08/2009, 09:20 PM	#20
boatbuilder Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Swamp Posts: 31	look up e-bay item# 290295712153 or http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...0%3D%26fvi%3D1 I purchased one of these for the same reason (wet skimming over flowing collection bucket.......making auto top off run overtime lowering salinity) hooked up to an Iwaki MD70 works fann friggin tastic! and for only $6.00 INCLUDING shipping you can't go wrong. Very simple to install and wire. Rated for 10 amps. So unless you are running over 1/4hp pump it will work.

04/09/2009, 06:04 AM	#21
THE ROOK Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Springfield, MA Posts: 2,100	bluetang - You'll need to have the float in hand so you can determine the drill bit size. Most likely you'll be able to just enlarge one of the holes in the lid. Just make sure the float won't touch the side or center of the cup. As I mentioned earlier, grab some sort of 2 wire connector. I'd go with a strong waterproof type. Hopefully it will last longer. Without this, you won't be able to remove the lid from the sump area easily. I'd also look into boatbuilder's idea. Sounds like it worked for him & it's very cheap to try it out. One more thought, how about drilling a remote overflow container & place the float sensor there?

04/09/2009, 07:11 AM	#22
bluetang_2000 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bayarea Posts: 469	The rook, that's an excellent idea. now why didn't I think of that, remote overflow container and float sensor, instead of drilling the lid. The container is much cheaper than the lid, so as the sensor. Best of two worlds. boatbuilder, thanks for the overflow recommendation. picked up two last night.

04/09/2009, 11:10 AM	#23
sunsetSPS Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 355	what you try to achieve by adding a float switch detector? I don't see much different between stop skimming or keep skimming and let it overflow, the amount of overflow will be back to the sump as it has never been skimmed. At least let it overflow could give you a day or more of skimming (as the overflow level usually higher than float switch detected level). Either clean it regularly or having remote collector can, if you are lazy person then you can add 20G collection can and forget about it for a year or so.

04/09/2009, 11:16 AM	#24
THE ROOK Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Springfield, MA Posts: 2,100	What if it's an external skimmer that could trash your stand and/or carpet by overflowing?

04/09/2009, 11:25 AM	#25
sunsetSPS Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 355	all skimmers usually have the collector drain pipe, and if there is a drain pipe you can hang it to the sump same level of the overflow if it's external. Why use F150 to kill an ant? I don't see why running external skimmer w/o a collection can, especially for lazy people. Just throw my opinions around, I love new ideas too and many of my new ideas also crazy/stupid ideas too. ETSS skimmer has a collection cup that has a shut off feature that is a very simple design. I'm sure many people are thinking of way to detect their collection can overflow and after that they are thinking about the way to detect the failure of the system they built to detect their overflow collection can..... Last edited by sunsetSPS; 04/09/2009 at 11:32 AM.