DIY auto topoff without a relay

nanomania · Jun 10, 2016

Hey guys, since im from india, we have 220v to 240v here. I came across some 220v upto 50w float switches.. would these work? Here are the links...

http://m.ebay.com/itm/50W-220V-Subm...d-Water-Level-Sensor-/322111469810?nav=SEARCH

free shipping quality 50w 220v MK-PCFS6 float switch type Auto water level controller with high quality
http://s.aliexpress.com/NBziQzYv
(from AliExpress Android)

Would they work directly on a pump without a relay?

Iv been using 12v ones withoit a relay, but i guess after a few days, i get stray voltage.

Also hydor (available in india) is not reliable and tunze (not available in india) is out of budget due to shipping + 40% duty.

However iv also called for a 12v pump too.

reefwiser · Jun 10, 2016

You can use a manual float valve to let water into your aquarium. You don't have to use a pump to add water. You do need to check it a couple of times a month to make sure it is working but you need to that we a electrical ATO.

ngvu1 · Jun 10, 2016

I bought 20 of those from 4 different vendors. All of them failed, stuck on, with a 15w bulb test. The relay is only $1. You can get the solid state relay for less than $5. I would not use those or any float switches without a relay for ato and always use 2 just in case 1 gives in.

cmcoker · Jun 10, 2016

I made a battery operated ATO without a relay, using a 3v pump off eBay.. For my 5 gallon nano, but it evaporates 1/3 g a day at least

nanomania · Jun 10, 2016

cmcoker said:
I made a battery operated ATO without a relay, using a 3v pump off eBay.. For my 5 gallon nano, but it evaporates 1/3 g a day at least

Plz share details or post pics.. it will be helpful..

nanomania · Jun 10, 2016

See this link.. im sure many must have never come across this idea.. pretty cool

http://www.thereeftank.com/forums/showthread.php?t=210307

cmcoker · Jun 11, 2016

nanomania said:
Plz share details or post pics.. it will be helpful..

I can add pics tomorrow

basically I have a
3v submersible water pump from eBay
2 float valves, one in the tank, one in the top off container
54oz food container from the dollar store
battery holder for 2 AA batteries
On/off rocker switch
Small project box

I just wired the float switches, pump, battery pack together in the project box to the on/off switch. The float in the ATO container keeps the pump from running dry. I all just sits next to the 5g tank so there is not very much head pressure and the low voltage pump works fine to move the water. And I can switch it off when I need to move anything around, refill it

It's not pretty but it works, I may switch to a larger container.. Haven't decided.

nanomania · Jun 12, 2016

cmcoker said:
I can add pics tomorrow

basically I have a
3v submersible water pump from eBay
2 float valves, one in the tank, one in the top off container
54oz food container from the dollar store
battery holder for 2 AA batteries
On/off rocker switch
Small project box

I just wired the float switches, pump, battery pack together in the project box to the on/off switch. The float in the ATO container keeps the pump from running dry. I all just sits next to the 5g tank so there is not very much head pressure and the low voltage pump works fine to move the water. And I can switch it off when I need to move anything around, refill it

It's not pretty but it works, I may switch to a larger container.. Haven't decided.

Im not being able to understand sm of it

cmcoker · Jun 14, 2016

nanomania said:
Im not being able to understand sm of it

Here is a crude drawing of how I wired it up

Here is the float switch in the tank in side the pill vial, and the water line from the ATO.

Here is the box where all the wiring and the battery holder is I side of and the small ATO reservoir :

And inside the ATO reservoir, the pump and float switch:

I should say this is on my 5g nano which I use for coral and invert quarantine, it's in my bedroom so I wasn't concerned with how it looked

nanomania · Jun 14, 2016

cmcoker said:
Here is a crude drawing of how I wired it up

Here is the float switch in the tank in side the pill vial, and the water line from the ATO.

Here is the box where all the wiring and the battery holder is I side of and the small ATO reservoir :

And inside the ATO reservoir, the pump and float switch:

I should say this is on my 5g nano which I use for coral and invert quarantine, it's in my bedroom so I wasn't concerned with how it looked

Thanks.. now i got it.. howmuch battery wattage required? Also the box ur using is sleek.. i doubt ill get that.. does it carry those pencil cell batteries or those rechargable ones?.. how often to check its power?

cmcoker · Jun 15, 2016

I used 2 "AA" batteries in a holder like this:

To power a 3v dc water pump like this:

Link to amazon for similar pump: https://www.amazon.com/Mini-Submersible-Motor-Pump-Noise/dp/B00LIU087Q
I got mine on eBay for $5.50 with shipping, there are a ton of them. There are 6 or 12v models as well.

Each battery is around 1.5v so if you get a higher voltage it will need more batteries.

This pump has pumped about 3 gallons of water on the original set of battery so far.

nanomania · Jun 15, 2016

cmcoker said:
I used 2 "AA" batteries in a holder like this:

To power a 3v dc water pump like this:

Link to amazon for similar pump: https://www.amazon.com/Mini-Submersible-Motor-Pump-Noise/dp/B00LIU087Q
I got mine on eBay for $5.50 with shipping, there are a ton of them. There are 6 or 12v models as well.

Each battery is around 1.5v so if you get a higher voltage it will need more batteries.

This pump has pumped about 3 gallons of water on the original set of battery so far.

Wud this pump work?
Look at this on eBay http://www.ebay.com/itm/141453485547

nanomania · Jul 30, 2016

Finally arrived, after a month of waiting.

nanomania · Jul 31, 2016

Please advise, its mentioned 3v to 6v. Also the wire is short.

cmcoker · Jul 31, 2016

So with 3v to 6v you can use 2 or 4 AA batteries. Mine was 3v, so I used 2. What size container are you planning to use?
If it was on my system, I would use some heat shrink tubing to extend the wire and put a dab of superglue at the ends of the tubing right before I heated it to seal it closed. Or You could use some epoxy resin.

nanomania · Jul 31, 2016

cmcoker said:
So with 3v to 6v you can use 2 or 4 AA batteries. Mine was 3v, so I used 2. What size container are you planning to use?
If it was on my system, I would use some heat shrink tubing to extend the wire and put a dab of superglue at the ends of the tubing right before I heated it to seal it closed. Or You could use some epoxy resin.

Silicone or hot glue gun?

nanomania · Jul 31, 2016

How ofter woud i have to change the batteries? Especially if im out of town or on a holiday.

cmcoker · Jul 31, 2016

I'd do silicone of those choices, make sure it's aquarium safe and will still need to let it cure so it doesn't leach nasties in your top off container

cmcoker · Jul 31, 2016

nanomania said:
How ofter woud i have to change the batteries? Especially if im out of town or on a holiday.

I'm just about to have to change mine out for the first time. It will depend on the run time and how often it kicks on. I would probably just change some out before you go anywhere. You could also hook it up and let it just pump water back into the reservoir and see how long they last to give you an idea

nanomania · Jul 31, 2016

cmcoker said:
I'm just about to have to change mine out for the first time. It will depend on the run time and how often it kicks on. I would probably just change some out before you go anywhere. You could also hook it up and let it just pump water back into the reservoir and see how long they last to give you an idea

Will do the tests.