power on delay?

Fishamatank · 04/22/2010, 08:41 PM

Is there a device that I can put put between my skimmer pump plug and the outlet that will delay it from turning on for say 30 seconds after power is applied to it?
When I turn off the return pumps and some water back fills into the sump it raises the water level an inch or so. This in turn causes the skimmer to go nuts and overflow until the water level returns to normal after returning power.

A link of where to purchase would be great.

TIA

sjm817 · 04/22/2010, 08:47 PM

A Neptune Aquarium controller can do this (and a lot more). Is an aquarium controller in the plans?

Fishamatank · 04/22/2010, 08:50 PM

I have a RKL, I don't know if it has the capability or not. I was really thinking there would be some $10 item that would accomplish this, I kill the return pumps when I feed, so something that is hooked to the powerstrip the return pumps are hooked to would be easiest.

sjm817 · 04/22/2010, 08:52 PM

Not sure if the RKL has that feature. I would look into it. Check the DIY forum. I seem to remember someone asking about the same thing and getting some info on a delay device.

GreensaM · 04/22/2010, 08:53 PM

A delay on make timer relay will work for you .

Gold Stripe · 04/22/2010, 09:21 PM

Or you can use a float switch to keep it off until the water level drops.

Fishamatank · 04/22/2010, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreensaM

A delay on make timer relay will work for you .

What is that?

Fishamatank · 04/23/2010, 03:59 PM

Anybody else?

DaveMorris · 04/23/2010, 05:35 PM

You can do that with the RKL by programming in a delay on that pump channel. The float switch idea is even better though. Set it up so that if the water level is higher than the float switch the skimmer channel goes into an alarm condition and will not turn on until it is at the right level.

driftin · 04/23/2010, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fishamatank

What is that?

It does exactly what you want - solid state with an adjustable delay. You'll find ratings for the length of the delay, the amp rating of the device.

Description of the function here, click on page 897: http://www.mcmaster.com/#electrical-relays/=6skab5
Appropriate devices on page 898.

Another option: http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/items/2A562?Pid=search

Entropy · 04/23/2010, 09:15 PM

You could always just put your skimmer pump and return pump on the same switch. This way the skimmer just turns off when the return pump is off. The price is right at least.

Fishamatank · 04/23/2010, 09:23 PM

That's the current situation, they are on the same switch already. The problem arises when the switch is turned back on. The water level in the sump is raised until the return pumps move some water back to the display.
I think driftin has me on the right path. Thanks

Entropy · 04/23/2010, 09:28 PM

I see what your are saying now. My skimmer is in a constant level section of my sump so the water level never changes even if the power goes out. Any chance of putting the skimmer elsewhere in the sump where it is constant level (assuming you have such a chamber)?

Fishamatank · 04/23/2010, 09:44 PM

Well, the water level in the entire sump raises when the power goes out from the back fill. It over flows the pump chamber and starts filling the rest of the sump an inch or so. Had I thought of this I would have started with a bigger sump and a larger pump section.

04/22/2010, 08:41 PM	#1
Fishamatank Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 1,017	power on delay? Is there a device that I can put put between my skimmer pump plug and the outlet that will delay it from turning on for say 30 seconds after power is applied to it? When I turn off the return pumps and some water back fills into the sump it raises the water level an inch or so. This in turn causes the skimmer to go nuts and overflow until the water level returns to normal after returning power. A link of where to purchase would be great. TIA

04/22/2010, 08:47 PM	#2
sjm817 On Yer left! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Northern VA Posts: 18,777	A Neptune Aquarium controller can do this (and a lot more). Is an aquarium controller in the plans? __________________ - Scott

04/22/2010, 08:52 PM	#4
sjm817 On Yer left! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Northern VA Posts: 18,777	Not sure if the RKL has that feature. I would look into it. Check the DIY forum. I seem to remember someone asking about the same thing and getting some info on a delay device. __________________ - Scott

04/22/2010, 09:21 PM	#6
Gold Stripe Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 977	Or you can use a float switch to keep it off until the water level drops. __________________ I swear its the last coral I will buy honey ...... I promise!

04/23/2010, 05:35 PM	#9
DaveMorris VP, SDMAS Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Sunny San Diego, CA Posts: 1,309	You can do that with the RKL by programming in a delay on that pump channel. The float switch idea is even better though. Set it up so that if the water level is higher than the float switch the skimmer channel goes into an alarm condition and will not turn on until it is at the right level. __________________ Dave My 130g tank: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2387989 Current Tank Info: 130g build in progress

04/22/2010, 08:50 PM	#3
Fishamatank Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 1,017	I have a RKL, I don't know if it has the capability or not. I was really thinking there would be some $10 item that would accomplish this, I kill the return pumps when I feed, so something that is hooked to the powerstrip the return pumps are hooked to would be easiest.

04/22/2010, 08:53 PM	#5
GreensaM Moved On Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 16	A delay on make timer relay will work for you .

04/23/2010, 03:59 PM	#8
Fishamatank Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 1,017	Anybody else?

04/23/2010, 09:15 PM	#11
Entropy Texas Reefer Join Date: May 2003 Location: Round Rock, TX Posts: 13,656	You could always just put your skimmer pump and return pump on the same switch. This way the skimmer just turns off when the return pump is off. The price is right at least. __________________ Rich Overton 150G cube FOWLR, 30g sump, ReefKeeperII, 3x Koralia 1400's, QuiteOne 3000, Reef Octopus DNWB150, 4x 30w Par38 LED. Current Tank Info: 36x36x27 150g

04/23/2010, 09:23 PM	#12
Fishamatank Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 1,017	That's the current situation, they are on the same switch already. The problem arises when the switch is turned back on. The water level in the sump is raised until the return pumps move some water back to the display. I think driftin has me on the right path. Thanks

04/23/2010, 09:28 PM	#13
Entropy Texas Reefer Join Date: May 2003 Location: Round Rock, TX Posts: 13,656	I see what your are saying now. My skimmer is in a constant level section of my sump so the water level never changes even if the power goes out. Any chance of putting the skimmer elsewhere in the sump where it is constant level (assuming you have such a chamber)? __________________ Rich Overton 150G cube FOWLR, 30g sump, ReefKeeperII, 3x Koralia 1400's, QuiteOne 3000, Reef Octopus DNWB150, 4x 30w Par38 LED. Current Tank Info: 36x36x27 150g

04/23/2010, 09:44 PM	#14
Fishamatank Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 1,017	Well, the water level in the entire sump raises when the power goes out from the back fill. It over flows the pump chamber and starts filling the rest of the sump an inch or so. Had I thought of this I would have started with a bigger sump and a larger pump section.

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