How To Avoid a Skimming Disaster with a DIY Float Switch

[ReefBum]

Thought I would share this given that it prevented skimmate from overflowing into my sump. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Nice video! You can also drill your own hole in your skimmer collection cup lid as well.

Keith do you know of other ways to use a float switch to disconnect the power from the skimmer without the use of the Apex controller?

 

[Collinslice]

Nice video! You can also drill your own hole in your skimmer collection cup lid as well.

Keith do you know of other ways to use a float switch to disconnect the power from the skimmer without the use of the Apex controller?

You can actually just splice the float switch right into the power line of what you are trying to control. Not the best option, but definitely cheaper than a controller.

 

[redfishbluefish]

@revhtree , I can answer that.....use a relay that controls an outlet. I did a DIY HERE and actually used that float switch on a skimmate container.

@Collinslice , I would recommend not running 120 volts through these switches....even though it might be listed for 120V. These switches are not waterproof on the top side and when they fail, you don't want the potential of 12oV AC going through the water.

And @ReefBum , nice little DIY......check out my use of a plastic hanger piece to hold the float switch.....in the link above.

 

[Salty1962]

CoralVue sales a power disconnect for your skimmer. I use one in my collection container. Just in case someone needs one and they don't have a controller.

 

[ReefBum]

@revhtree , I can answer that.....use a relay that controls an outlet. I did a DIY HERE and actually used that float switch on a skimmate container.

@Collinslice , I would recommend not running 120 volts through these switches....even though it might be listed for 120V. These switches are not waterproof on the top side and when they fail, you don't want the potential of 12oV AC going through the water.

And @ReefBum , nice little DIY......check out my use of a plastic hanger piece to hold the float switch.....in the link above.

Nice! I like the plastic hanger idea!

 

[mcarroll]

Nice mod!

Interestingly, Tunze's skimmers have an automatic cut-off or limit on the air supply when the cup gets full or the system over-foams. It reduces incidents vs being bulletproof though.

 

[Pola0502ds]

Wow, i would love to do this! Great video. I do have a concern however, if anyone has a skimmer like mine, my produces a nice head of foam the goes from the bottom of the collection cup all the way up to the top of the lid, even if i just cleaned the collection cup. I am concerned that with all these bubbles and the junk they have on them would end up drying on the float switch causing it to stick and ultimatly fail. I have not been doing this long enough to know if this is a vailed concern. I happen to have a breakout box laying around waited for the right application.

 

[mcarroll]

I am concerned

Cutting off the air-supply is the other main method I've seen used. ETSS might have been the best-known example.

Generally it has required some special design and a special drain attachment to put back-pressure on the air-intake when the skimmer drain/cup/bucket is full. Those drain attachments were subject to fouling too though.

Maybe you can image a way do do something similar (or not so similar) to cut off the air supply?

I think if there was a reason I couldn't be around to maintain the skimmer cup I'd probably skim a lot drier so flooding out the cup would be very unlikely.

Beyond that I wouldn't worry about the infrequent cup floods that may happen...I'd bet corals appreciate it more than they hate it.

 

[ReefBum]

Wow, i would love to do this! Great video. I do have a concern however, if anyone has a skimmer like mine, my produces a nice head of foam the goes from the bottom of the collection cup all the way up to the top of the lid, even if i just cleaned the collection cup. I am concerned that with all these bubbles and the junk they have on them would end up drying on the float switch causing it to stick and ultimatly fail. I have not been doing this long enough to know if this is a vailed concern. I happen to have a breakout box laying around waited for the right application.

Thanks! Thus far the issue you mentioned has not been a problem for me. I do wipe any foam that might collect on the switch every week so that seems to do the trick.

 

[rickta87]

Im running a Hob aquaone skimmer in my sump. The skimmate drains into icecream container through a hole cut in the corner. The airline goes in the hole as well. As long as the airline hose is below the height off the hole in the icecream contain, it will shut of when it drowns the airline. Doesnt seem to draw skimmate through. Altho i need to work on stability as it can dip to one side. Might make floaties for it!

 

[ReefBum]

Im running a Hob aquaone skimmer in my sump. The skimmate drains into icecream container through a hole cut in the corner. The airline goes in the hole as well. As long as the airline hose is below the height off the hole in the icecream contain, it will shut of when it drowns the airline. Doesnt seem to draw skimmate through. Altho i need to work on stability as it can dip to one side. Might make floaties for it!

That's a cool idea. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Weatherone]

I have used on of these for several months now with zero failures, has a nice pause system for cleaning out your skimmer cup.
Paid less than $55 with 2 sensors.

 

[wangspeed]

I prefer using the pressure sensor from Avast. It is easier to install into the lid and you can set the level to whatever you want by cutting the tube. Don't forget to add a delay if the switch flips. I use 15 min which is perfect for skimmer cleanings too. I yank the avast sensor out, dip it in the sump and swish it around to clean it, which trips the Apex. Now I can clean the cup without an awkward sensor attached to it.

I took this pic when I first set it up. I changed it to a 90 degree later so it would sit flat on the lid. You can also see the piece of acrylic I welded onto the cup for leverage to remove it.

 

[ReefBum]

Nice to have some different options.

 

[rickta87]

That's a cool idea. Thanks for sharing.

Please disregard... there was significant re-uptake of skimmate through airline. It appears to work (collection cup never filled) but that was achieved pulling skimmate back through... DOH![emoji32]

 

[raultsu]

I have a question. How do you clean the lid if its wired to the cut off? I would like to be able to clean the lid occasionally without having to rewire everything

 

[Paul B]

I also have a tube running from my skimmer cup to a 5 gallon bucket. There is a simple shut off switch in the bucket that turns off the pump feed for the skimmer if the bucket fills. I built that shut off switch by just putting two wires from the GFCI the pump is plugged into inside the bucket near the top. One wire is in series with a small light bulb (for safety) The wire tips are encased in a small container. When the water contacts the wire tips, it shuts off the GFCI stopping the pump.
I also have such a GFCI set up under my hot water heater for my home. If it leaks, it shuts off an electric valve that feeds the heater.
I have these things all over my house to prevent leaks or send an alarm. Cost $12.00
(stop making fun of my phone. it's from the 70s)

 

[ReefBum]

I have a question. How do you clean the lid if its wired to the cut off? I would like to be able to clean the lid occasionally without having to rewire everything

I have enough slack in the wire so I can lift the top off, put it on top of the sump and clean it with too much of a hassle.

 

[ReefBum]

I also have a tube running from my skimmer cup to a 5 gallon bucket. There is a simple shut off switch in the bucket that turns off the pump feed for the skimmer if the bucket fills. I built that shut off switch by just putting two wires from the GFCI the pump is plugged into inside the bucket near the top. One wire is in series with a small light bulb (for safety) The wire tips are encased in a small container. When the water contacts the wire tips, it shuts off the GFCI stopping the pump.
I also have such a GFCI set up under my hot water heater for my home. If it leaks, it shuts off an electric valve that feeds the heater.
I have these things all over my house to prevent leaks or send an alarm. Cost $12.00
(stop making fun of my phone. it's from the 70s)

Cool idea....thanks for sharing.