Pump with Float Switch

[kirklt]

In order to avoid pump burnout, is it acceptable to use a submersible sump pump with a float switch in the last chamber of your wet dry filter?

(Yes, like the kind they sell at home depot)

[Bloodritual]

I would think the sump pumps sold at home depot would not be good for a saltwater tank if I interpreted what you mean by the sump pump right. They have metal parts in them that would practically rust days after you installed them, and they put put lubricants in any moving parts that are not really good for any aquarium use. As far as adding a float switch to the pump a lot of people actually do that for the reason you stated.

[Dustin1300]

Agreed with the above reply. You will most likely have copper/metal in the pump that will leach into tank which leads to bad things. If you are worried about pump running dry, then I would get a controller, float switch, and normal pump. You then can program the controller to kick off pump if water gets below a certain level.

[brycerb]

The biggest problem would be that they are not made for continuos use. They will burn out in hours. I tried using one to mix salt, it didn't last six hours.

[Dustin1300]

I would not agree on the pump burning out. I have one which a drain tile goes to around my house and the sub pump kicks out the water a ways away from my house. That being siad...days that it rains nearly all day will have the pump going non-stop.

[bertoni]

There are commercial float switches available, if you want a safety shutoff for a pump. I wouldn't use a pump that wasn't designed for saltwater, though. That could cause a lot of problems.