Float switch in overflow?

[markstubb]

Have you tried to call Jeff? I'm sure he'd be more than happy to discuss the merits of a float on one of his overflows.

 

[Be102]

Have you tried to call Jeff? I'm sure he'd be more than happy to discuss the merits of a float on one of his overflows.

I have not actually. I will look into that. Just didn’t want him to give me a textbook “it will void the warranty” spiel.

 

[KIRBLIT]

If you do a shutoff switch you will want it in your tank. If you loose the siphon into the overflow box from the flow tube your tank is what is going to overflow not the overflow box. The tube that goes over your tank is the limiting factor in the flow rate not your actual drain from the box.

 

[Be102]

If you do a shutoff switch you will want it in your tank. If you loose the siphon into the overflow box from the flow tube your tank is what is going to overflow not the overflow box. The tube that goes over your tank is the limiting factor in the flow rate not your actual drain from the box.

I understand, my concern is that I feel I am
More likely to have a snail / algae / my eel clog my overflow before it got stuck in my utube. Not really sure if it’s really likely but I’d rather be cautious considering I only have one drain itself.

I’d like to also add one to my display, just would have to find one that didn’t trip off of my flow / waves/ return output.

 

[markstubb]

I have not actually. I will look into that. Just didn’t want him to give me a textbook “it will void the warranty” spiel.

Considering pretty much everything he does is custom, and as much as he loves this hobby, I'm pretty sure that'll be extremely low on the list of responses he'll give you. He's a great resource and a trove of information. Prepare to talk for a while about it :)

 

[KIRBLIT]

I understand, my concern is that I feel I am
More likely to have a snail / algae / my eel clog my overflow before it got stuck in my utube. Not really sure if it’s really likely but I’d rather be cautious considering I only have one drain itself.

I’d like to also add one to my display, just would have to find one that didn’t trip off of my flow / waves/ return output.

If that's your worry you may just want to make or buy a strainer to go in the box. This will reduce the flow rate to the drain somewhat but unless you are pushing the limit on the drain it should be OK and you would be able to test it. Your biggest failure point will always be the siphon tube over the tank though. Keep it cleaned very well and watch for any air bubbles building up in it. Above all, get that tank drilled for a better overflow when you can! Like everyone says don't restrict that drain line at all when it's the only one.

 

[Be102]

If that's your worry you may just want to make or buy a strainer to go in the box. This will reduce the flow rate to the drain somewhat but unless you are pushing the limit on the drain it should be OK and you would be able to test it. Your biggest failure point will always be the siphon tube over the tank though. Keep it cleaned very well and watch for any air bubbles building up in it. Above all, get that tank drilled for a better overflow when you can! Like everyone says don't restrict that drain line at all when it's the only one.

I actually just glued and will install tomorrow a gate valve above the section where I enter my sump through the filter socks. I then tee off above that towards my fuge. This ideally will finally fix my gurgling noise, and finally I should be able to get flow to my fuge. As of now it barely gets a drop.

 

[Be102]

I have successfully mounted a float switch in my overflow!! It’s great. Connected to my return pump and shuts the flow off before any water overflows. Was curious what people recommend are the safest float switches? This one seems decent but I am still hesitant. I also managed to install another gate valve and have successfully got water to my fuge! As well as finally being able to silence my tank. Only noise I hear now is the skimmer. I’ve tested all different scenarios and it seems my float switch passes on each try. I’m actually impressed I managed to make do with what I had and did not need to continue to shop.

 

[ramona]

I need also a float switch in my DT to turn off the return pump. Could you give us the details of your set-up, how did you do it?

 

[BOWHUNTER4250]

A float switch connected to a breakout box controled thru an apex or controller will work perfect ! i have the same thing running now but its not in my overflow box , it is just off the side and all the way in back ........... water in the tank rises fo ANY unknown reason the float will turn your main pump off it works like a champ !! had it this way now for almost 4 years with ZERO Issues ! very simple

 

[Newb73]

I run three 2 inch pipes, all with intake screens and all with 1 inch emergency drains which double as anti syphons.

I plan to put a float switch in my overflow not to kill all water but it will cut one of my 2 mains off, effectively cutting flow to 50% and sending me an alert.

If it floods any one of any three leak detectors on floor will cut the other main off.

Am i doin it wrong?

I have no gate valves on the drain line.

 

[JoshH]

;Wideyed

 

[JeffT]

My plan today, is to remove my overflow plumbing and attempt to put a gate valve into my bulkhead of the sump by threading it in, or doing some sort of modification... Im hoping that once theres a gate valve there I can finally get some flow to my fuge, and to silence my overflow completely. Then the next step is the float switches and all that fun stuff.[/QUOTE
You should never install a valve on a prefilter box and back up water into the prefilter to reduce noise, this is a disaster waiting to happen. Why? Because when you take air out of the system it will now balance itself (water column raising and lowering) with the atmospheric air pressure. This is why overflows like Bean Animal and any others using a full siphon have a safety flow on them. When air enters the plumbing it self-regulates with changing air pressures. I do make a Silencer for the prefilter which will reduce the noise but the noise will still be within the plumbing, air must enter to provide safe operation.