Best plug and play float switch?

living_tribunal · Dec 25, 2020

I’m creating a recirculating co2 scrubber with my skimmer. To ensure that nothing bad happens while running it, I want to install a float switch into the collection cup.

While reef octopus does make float switch collection cups available for sale, they don’t make one for my collection cup size that matches with their varios pump. I’ve started looking at generic float switches and all seem to involve combining with external controller and self-wiring.

I’m looking for a simple float switch that has an outlet and internal controller ready to go that will fit through one of my skimmer cup holes. Can someone with experience point me in the right direction?

Peace River · Dec 25, 2020

Have you thought about using the float switch that comes with the Varios pump and drilling a hole through the skimmer cup cover? Skimmer cup covers are relatively inexpensive and are available from CoralVue.com if you want to keep one whole and have one drilled. Good luck with whatever you decide!

living_tribunal · Dec 25, 2020

Peace River said:
Have you thought about using the float switch that comes with the Varios pump and drilling a hole through the skimmer cup cover? Skimmer cup covers are relatively inexpensive and are available from CoralVue.com if you want to keep one whole and have one drilled. Good luck with whatever you decide!

That’s what I’d prefer to do but I can’t tell from the pics on brs if the float switch comes with an outlet. The one I’d love to find it this one as it looks to be exactly what I’m aiming for: I.e. a float switch with outlet that I can plug my skimmer into.

It’s not clear if this is the same float switch that’s available on brs or anywhere else however.

living_tribunal · Dec 25, 2020

I believe I found the solution. This should work it looks like.

FW110 High Amperage Float Switch

5 Amp Float Switch This float switch can save you from burning out expensive pumps, configured to a collection container for your skimmer or can be used for water top off.

www.coralvue.com

ScottB · Dec 25, 2020

This is what I use. It gives me a false trip once a month or so but has never failed to trip on overflow. (Knocking on wood.)

Smart Skimmer Security

Simple Security for your Protein Skimmer! Keep your skimmer from overflowing with the AutoAqua Smart Skimmer Security sensor and outlet. The easy to clean optical sensor will magnetically couple to any skimmer collection cup (up to 1/4" thick), and when the cup gets full it will shut down your...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

ScottB · Dec 25, 2020

I would also encourage you to consider adding an inline water trap/reservoir in your recirculating setup. The canister is drawing A LOT of moisture in from the skimmer cup just from humidity and bubbles. Without a trap, it will gunk the bottom inch or so of the media unless you empty the canister daily.

This is one of my projects for this weekend. Going to look around here again for some ideas on implementation.

living_tribunal · Dec 25, 2020

ScottB said:
This is what I use. It gives me a false trip once a month or so but has never failed to trip on overflow. (Knocking on wood.)

Smart Skimmer Security

Simple Security for your Protein Skimmer! Keep your skimmer from overflowing with the AutoAqua Smart Skimmer Security sensor and outlet. The easy to clean optical sensor will magnetically couple to any skimmer collection cup (up to 1/4" thick), and when the cup gets full it will shut down your...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

Perfect, thank you.

ScottB · Dec 25, 2020

After spending an hour or so reading up on a bunch of threads, I might actually go a different direction altogether versus recirculation. I need to simplify stuff some. My new thinking given some of my reading:

Bring in outside air.
Run that air through GAC reactor.
Then through CO2 scrubber and into skimmer.

Where I live we don't employ exterminators really. The air quality is normally not too bad; some nastiness at peak Summer from NYC

RedReefer · Dec 25, 2020

living_tribunal said:
I believe I found the solution. This should work it looks like.

FW110 High Amperage Float Switch

5 Amp Float Switch This float switch can save you from burning out expensive pumps, configured to a collection container for your skimmer or can be used for water top off.

www.coralvue.com

This is the same switch I use on my Reef Octo waste collector. Never had any issues. Flawless..