Float Switch?

[suds1421]

Everyone, I am working on designing a sump for my 75 gallon aquarium. It's going to be in the wall with the back in the utility room so I have plenty of room for a large sump. I'm thinking of using a 100 gallon stock tank as the sump. I'm going to house cichlids so I want the extra water and filtration..

So all of that said I would like to use a float switch in the display tank to be sure that it doesn't overflow.

Any tips on which float switch to use? I want to be sure I don't get into an overflowing tank issue as I am away for a lot of weekends and need to trust the system for 2 days at a time.

 

[Dylema]

Someone jump in and correct me if I am wrong but float switches are usually used for top-up systems not to let the water out. With a sump you will have an overflow or drilled hole. Provided this doesn't get blocked your display will not overflow. You could seigne your system with multiple overflows or holes to ensure your tank doesn't overflow.

I just realised you mean to switch your pump off and in that case if your away for the weekend and the tank flicks the switch your filter stops and you have problems.

Dylan

 

[suds1421]

Dylan,

Thanks for the info, I realize that if I am gone and the filter stops I'm going to have problems. To combat this I am going to setup sponge filters which are the only thing on a UPS that I have. I tested it out and the air pump will run two days on the UPS if I turn off the alarm. (The alarm takes it down by a lot).

I realize that I am taking a risk in being away from my tank often but I camp so I am away for 20 weekends or so a year.

I need to develop a system I am very confident in not overflowing the main tank (or the sump) if I'm going to use a sump.

I could just put the pump in the sump at a level where if it pumps enough water that the tank can't hold it, it sucks air. Problem there is the pump is ruined if water evaporates and you don't have the advantage of having a supply of water for water evaportation in the main tank.

 

[Dylema]

Dylan,

I need to develop a system I am very confident in not overflowing the main tank (or the sump) if I'm going to use a sump.

I could just put the pump in the sump at a level where if it pumps enough water that the tank can't hold it, it sucks air. Problem there is the pump is ruined if water evaporates and you don't have the advantage of having a supply of water for water evaportation in the main tank.

You can buy pond pumps that have an auto shut off when the water level drops too far so that would stop the pump burning out. I would design your system with 2 overflows and have both of them large enough to handle the flow rate. This way if one gets blocked or slowed by something the other will prevent your tank from overflowing. This and your idea with pump position should be about as fail safe as you need.

Just another thought too, Do you need a sump? Canisters might be a safer option if you are really worried about overflowing the tank.

Dylan

 

[koopman]

If you plump it like this you should be fine i guess.
And if you add the extra overflow in the sump and connect it to the sewer it can never flow over.