Auto Water Change Help Needed. Thanks

[TripleT]

I have a 10 gallon nano at my office and I want to setup a Auto Water Change. I have purchased an Apex DoS and have my 2 5 gallon jugs ready.

My concern is, if my clean saltwater runs out and I continue to remove saltwater and it overflows my waste jug. My employer will not be happy and my tank might not like it either.

I am looking for a way to shut the DoS off if the new saltwater jug gets below a certain level. Any Suggestions?

 

[mcarroll]

You've got an Apex on a 10 Gallon? LOL

(Laughing with you, not at you! Awesome!)

 

[MaiReef]

A float switch?

 

[DLHDesign]

You would want to install float switches into your 5gal jugs;
- The saltwater jug should have a float located near the bottom. It's purpose will be to sense when the source water is low.
- The waste jug should have a float located near the top. It's purpose will be to sense when the waste level is high.
In the case of either float tripping, you'll want to shut off the AWC operation and trigger an alarm to notify you that the system needs attention.

As a backup, I would also suggest adding a leak detector somewhere around the jugs. If the leak detector goes off, it should shut off the AWC and notify you.

 

[TripleT]

You would want to install float switches into your 5gal jugs;
- The saltwater jug should have a float located near the bottom. It's purpose will be to sense when the source water is low.
- The waste jug should have a float located near the top. It's purpose will be to sense when the waste level is high.
In the case of either float tripping, you'll want to shut off the AWC operation and trigger an alarm to notify you that the system needs attention.

As a backup, I would also suggest adding a leak detector somewhere around the jugs. If the leak detector goes off, it should shut off the AWC and notify you.

What type of float switches and how would i connect those to the system to shutoff the DoS?

 

[TripleT]

You've got an Apex on a 10 Gallon? LOL

(Laughing with you, not at you! Awesome!)

I love my Nano. I farm it for all my sps frags to go in my 180. Plus its fun at the office when i get bored. Go big or go home!

 

[DLHDesign]

What type of float switches and how would i connect those to the system to shutoff the DoS?

I've not built such a system, so can't really say what would work best specifically. I'd guess that it would mostly depend upon how much money you're willing to spend; the more you spend (to a point), the better a device you will get. Optical sensors have no moving parts, so are less likely to get stuck. They are, of course, more expensive. Mechanical switches are far more common and range in price; though should always be less than an optical sensor. Mechanical switches can get stuck, however - especially if they are submerged all the time (but even without due to salt creep, etc.).

Connecting float switches to the Apex is done via a breakout box.

 

[pdt7361]

With mechanical switches, you can also look at doing 2 - one just above the other as a backup in case the main one were to stick.

 

[reefwiser]

I would use the DOS reservoir they have level probes built in. In such a small tank you will not be changing more than a cup of water a day. You can set up to measure how much you have used so it would be an easy way to do it.

 

[gus6464]

You need a 5g bucket, a 1/2" uniseal, a 1/2" slip to threaded pvc union, a tiny bit of 1/2" PVC, and this:

https://www.amazon.com/Madison-M870...86419563&sr=8-2&keywords=madison+float+switch

Put the float switch at the bottom of the bucket. If it triggers to closed position send a kill command to the DOS.