Float Switches?

[Bosco83]

I just bought an Apex controller with the breakout box and now I want to get stuff ordered for and ato. Are the $3 ebay float switches safe or is there a better brand? I was thinking of doing three float switches.

Thanks,
Brian

 

[colin779]

Personally I've heard of to many flood stories from failed float switches so i stick with good ol manual top off =) As far as the ebay ones go, and as a former electrician you get what you pay for with electrical components. I wouldn't go cheap with something that controls weather or not you come home to a lot of water on the floor =)

 

[seattlereef]

This is where I bought mine: Float Switches, Liquid Level Sensors, Liquid Level Switches, Water Level Sensors - ChicagoSensor.com. To protect from overflow on the ATO I've done the following... One switch to turn it on, a backup switch mounted at the top of the sump for overflow, important note make sure that closed means turns it on and open means don't turn it on, this is in case the wire gets lose the controller will treat it as open. A timer programed in my APEX that turns it off plus text me a warning if its been running for over an hour (I'm running a dosing pump so the flow is really low) also since its hooked up to my kalkwaser reactor a PH check to turn it off if it goes above 2.41. I've considered putting in a salinity probe to turn it off if it goes out of range but haven't invested the time/money in this yet.

As part of my water change routine I make sure the switches still work. I do WC every week, at least that is my schedule . To do all this I've programed 3 virtual switches. The lower switch to a SumpLow, the upper switch to SumpHigh and a ATO2Long timer switch that turns on after the ATO pump has been running for an hour.

I also bought a third switch that I have hooked up to my skimmer bucket that will turn off the skimmer if it goes crazy. IE I use the drain from the skimmer cup that goes into an old salt bucket and put a switch in the lid.

 

[seattlereef]

BTW what would you use the 3rd float for?

 

[Bosco83]

I saw someone used it to turn off the ato pump in case it's out of water

 

[seattlereef]

Ah thanks.

 

[jrgilles]

yea, third is to stop the ATO if the reservoirs drains. I have one, but don't really use it. I would put a backup in the sump though incase one sticks.

I got mine from chicago sensor, and they seem good still after 2 years.