SOS Skimmer Overflow Stopper Review

imjedi76 · 02/11/2016, 12:54 PM

I recently received this product (SOS Skimmer Overflow Stopper from http://www.soszaya.com/) and have been testing it out for the past couple of weeks. So far it is a pretty solid product that is inexpensive enough to give you peace of mind. Here's the youtube video of it in action: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4EsnOMtho0

Came in a nice box.

Apex adapter that connects to your breakout box for alerts, basically acts like a sensor.

This is the unit installed and both sensors mounted in skimmer cup and on side of the sump.

The concept of this device is simple: when water level reaches sensor it shuts the skimmer down to prevent overflowing into the sump or floor. This unit can be used as a standalone product or connected to your Apex for notification and actions. There are DIY products out that but trying to mount a float sensor in the skimmer cup requires some creativity. This is an all in one solution that also adds a sensor in the sump to start up the skimmer once the water level goes back down to normal.

The sensor in the skimmer cup is a no brainer. Sometimes the skimmer fills up much faster than you anticipate or you're on vacation and forgot about having your tank sitter check the skimmer and you come home to skimmate flowing into your sump and back into your system. This will shut down the skimmer when it reaches the sensor level and a rather loud alarm will sound. I would rather the skimmer be off than have all the junk dumped back into the tank. Also now I don't have to keep checking the skimmer every day to make sure it doesn't overflow.

The sensor in the sump is an added bonus because a lot of times I do maintenance on the tank and turn off the return pump. This would raise the water level in the sump and sometimes causes the skimmer to overflow. The concept is simple: set the sensor at the water level you want it, when water reaches the sensor it shuts off the skimmer and alarm goes off. I've tested this out a few times and it has worked flawlessly.

The optional feature is the Apex adapter. I wired it into my breakout box just like any other sensor and programmed it to email and text me when the sensor trips. Works just as advertised.

Some of the nice features about this is that the sensor has a magnet mount so I can mount it anywhere I want. Cleaning the sensor when I clean the skimmer cup is easy also. One annoying thing though is that the alarm on the unit is super loud and annoying. Since I have the Apex adapter I'm already getting phone notifications and the alarm from the display, so I don't need this. I contacted Stephen Ho at Zaya and he informed me that this unit does not have an option to turn off the alarm but he sent me instructions on how to open up to unit to cut the wire that connects to the speaker. He mentioned that the next model he may put in a mode to disable alarm with the push button.

Overall this is a solid unit and the price point is excellent considering the features it comes with.

imjedi76 · 02/11/2016, 03:18 PM

Some other things I forgot to mention:

- the sensors have no moving parts with titanium probes that last forever in saltwater environment

The controller has a feed and service timer button that allows you to set the amount of time you need.

Timer options are (10, 20, 30 min), (1,2,4,12 hours), and 1,2,3 Days.

Drae · 02/12/2016, 09:41 AM

Nice... excellent review.

CHSUB · 02/12/2016, 11:01 AM

thanks, skimmer overflowed a couple of days ago!!! was going to buy RO skimmer locker with overflow stopper, but like this better....

CHSUB · 02/12/2016, 12:10 PM

just ordered....will do a follow-up review when installed!!!

wildman926 · 02/12/2016, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CHSUB

thanks, skimmer overflowed a couple of days ago!!! was going to buy RO skimmer locker with overflow stopper, but like this better....

You should have went with this. It allows you to go longer between emptying, and cup/neck cleanings.

CHSUB · 02/12/2016, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wildman926

You should have went with this. It allows you to go longer between emptying, and cup/neck cleanings.

i do like the RO Skimmer Locker, but no room for it! and saved $125.... i think this will do just what i what???

JOEYRM7 · 02/13/2016, 04:53 PM

How does the sensor attach to the collection cup? Is it a pain to remove everytime you clean the cup? Blue tooth would have been cool

USC-fan · 02/13/2016, 05:01 PM

What causing skimmer over flows? I have never had this happen to me. What skimmers are you guys using?

I heard people that dose certain product may cause this.

imjedi76 · 02/13/2016, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JOEYRM7

How does the sensor attach to the collection cup? Is it a pain to remove everytime you clean the cup? Blue tooth would have been cool

Magnets. Easy to take off and on

mark54321 · 03/11/2016, 03:20 PM

Just received mine in mail, will install it soon.

JOEYRM7 · 04/18/2016, 06:03 AM

Any updates from those who have this?

mark54321 · 04/19/2016, 10:11 PM

Still working as advertised, I am very happy with it.

JOEYRM7 · 04/20/2016, 04:39 AM

Txs. Just ordered mine

Ncfishguy · 05/10/2016, 06:04 AM

Finally !!!

ClownNut · 05/10/2016, 06:17 AM

design can be better, the wire have to be in the cup instead of outside.
i would preferred breakout box with float valve link to my apex.

JOEYRM7 · 05/10/2016, 06:24 AM

Works exactly as advertised. I thought that I would have an issue with the beeping but it is pretty muted and useful

imjedi76 · 05/10/2016, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JOEYRM7

Works exactly as advertised. I thought that I would have an issue with the beeping but it is pretty muted and useful

nice! Looks like they changed out the speaker so its not as loud.

02/11/2016, 12:54 PM	#1
imjedi76 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 132	SOS Skimmer Overflow Stopper Review I recently received this product (SOS Skimmer Overflow Stopper from http://www.soszaya.com/) and have been testing it out for the past couple of weeks. So far it is a pretty solid product that is inexpensive enough to give you peace of mind. Here's the youtube video of it in action: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4EsnOMtho0 Came in a nice box. Apex adapter that connects to your breakout box for alerts, basically acts like a sensor. This is the unit installed and both sensors mounted in skimmer cup and on side of the sump. The concept of this device is simple: when water level reaches sensor it shuts the skimmer down to prevent overflowing into the sump or floor. This unit can be used as a standalone product or connected to your Apex for notification and actions. There are DIY products out that but trying to mount a float sensor in the skimmer cup requires some creativity. This is an all in one solution that also adds a sensor in the sump to start up the skimmer once the water level goes back down to normal. The sensor in the skimmer cup is a no brainer. Sometimes the skimmer fills up much faster than you anticipate or you're on vacation and forgot about having your tank sitter check the skimmer and you come home to skimmate flowing into your sump and back into your system. This will shut down the skimmer when it reaches the sensor level and a rather loud alarm will sound. I would rather the skimmer be off than have all the junk dumped back into the tank. Also now I don't have to keep checking the skimmer every day to make sure it doesn't overflow. The sensor in the sump is an added bonus because a lot of times I do maintenance on the tank and turn off the return pump. This would raise the water level in the sump and sometimes causes the skimmer to overflow. The concept is simple: set the sensor at the water level you want it, when water reaches the sensor it shuts off the skimmer and alarm goes off. I've tested this out a few times and it has worked flawlessly. The optional feature is the Apex adapter. I wired it into my breakout box just like any other sensor and programmed it to email and text me when the sensor trips. Works just as advertised. Some of the nice features about this is that the sensor has a magnet mount so I can mount it anywhere I want. Cleaning the sensor when I clean the skimmer cup is easy also. One annoying thing though is that the alarm on the unit is super loud and annoying. Since I have the Apex adapter I'm already getting phone notifications and the alarm from the display, so I don't need this. I contacted Stephen Ho at Zaya and he informed me that this unit does not have an option to turn off the alarm but he sent me instructions on how to open up to unit to cut the wire that connects to the speaker. He mentioned that the next model he may put in a mode to disable alarm with the push button. Overall this is a solid unit and the price point is excellent considering the features it comes with. Last edited by imjedi76; 02/11/2016 at 01:20 PM.

02/12/2016, 11:01 AM	#4
CHSUB "Certified Hobby Expert" Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Miami, Fl Posts: 2,038	thanks, skimmer overflowed a couple of days ago!!! was going to buy RO skimmer locker with overflow stopper, but like this better.... __________________ Goniopora Police _________________ building a 60"x36"x30" peninsula reef...follow at "NEW TANK BUILD" on reef discussion forum! http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2110638

02/12/2016, 12:10 PM	#5
CHSUB "Certified Hobby Expert" Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Miami, Fl Posts: 2,038	just ordered....will do a follow-up review when installed!!! __________________ Goniopora Police _________________ building a 60"x36"x30" peninsula reef...follow at "NEW TANK BUILD" on reef discussion forum! http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2110638

03/11/2016, 03:20 PM	#11
mark54321 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: chicago Posts: 2,040	Just received mine in mail, will install it soon. __________________ ############## ______MARK_______ ##############

04/19/2016, 10:11 PM	#13
mark54321 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: chicago Posts: 2,040	Still working as advertised, I am very happy with it. __________________ ############## ______MARK_______ ##############

02/11/2016, 03:18 PM	#2
imjedi76 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 132	Some other things I forgot to mention: - the sensors have no moving parts with titanium probes that last forever in saltwater environment The controller has a feed and service timer button that allows you to set the amount of time you need. Timer options are (10, 20, 30 min), (1,2,4,12 hours), and 1,2,3 Days.

02/12/2016, 09:41 AM	#3
Drae RAIDER NATION! Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: City of sin... Posts: 3,476	Nice... excellent review.

02/13/2016, 04:53 PM	#8
JOEYRM7 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: NEW YORK Posts: 335	How does the sensor attach to the collection cup? Is it a pain to remove everytime you clean the cup? Blue tooth would have been cool

02/13/2016, 05:01 PM	#9
USC-fan Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 3,626	What causing skimmer over flows? I have never had this happen to me. What skimmers are you guys using? I heard people that dose certain product may cause this.

04/18/2016, 06:03 AM	#12
JOEYRM7 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: NEW YORK Posts: 335	Any updates from those who have this?

04/20/2016, 04:39 AM	#14
JOEYRM7 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: NEW YORK Posts: 335	Txs. Just ordered mine

05/10/2016, 06:04 AM	#15
Ncfishguy Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Pembroke Posts: 59	Finally !!!

05/10/2016, 06:17 AM	#16
ClownNut Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Minnesota Posts: 1,859	design can be better, the wire have to be in the cup instead of outside. i would preferred breakout box with float valve link to my apex. __________________ Dont let me know where u lived if u have a nice pair of clownfish in ur tank!^_^ Clown kidnaper^_^ Current Tank Info: 300DD, SM200/RD3,ATI 60-8X80+4X75, 2 Sea Sweep & 4X6105 & 6208

05/10/2016, 06:24 AM	#17
JOEYRM7 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: NEW YORK Posts: 335	Works exactly as advertised. I thought that I would have an issue with the beeping but it is pretty muted and useful