Integrating float valves on apex

[Eder]

Need some ideas. Bought too many of them. Have one on skimmer cup and BOB. Would love to see what others may be using them for. Thanks!

 

[eggplantparrot]

Need some ideas. Bought too many of them. Have one on skimmer cup and BOB. Would love to see what others may be using them for. Thanks!

float VALVES or float switches?

 

[Eder]

Switches. Thanks for the correction.

 

[SuncrestReef]

I use one near the bottom of my sump to warn if the water is ever so low that the return pump would run dry, and another at the top of the sump to warn if it’s going to overflow.

 

[Passedyouby]

Just bought an apex. What switches did you buy? Using a breakout box?

 

[SuncrestReef]

Just bought an apex. What switches did you buy? Using a breakout box?

I prefer the Avast Marine breakout box for Apex instead of Neptune's breakout box. The Neptune version uses small screws to attach each wire, and only a single screw for the common wires. This makes it really difficult to attach wires in cramped or dark spaces. The Avast breakout box uses push-connectors like found on stereo speakers, and each port has its own pair of connectors.

I came across this handy magnetic bracket with 4 float switches:

I placed it in my sump and adjusted the positions of each float for various conditions. The switch numbers correspond to the ports on my breakout box:

• 6 - Water too high
• 5 - Water above skimmer chamber limit
• 4 - Water at normal level
• 3 - Water too low

Now I can program my Apex to react to various water level conditions. Previously I had a hodge-podge of float switches and optical sensors (including the ATK sensors), but this will allow me to clean up my wiring and Apex code.

 

[Passedyouby]

I prefer the Avast Marine breakout box for Apex instead of Neptune's breakout box. The Neptune version uses small screws to attach each wire, and only a single screw for the common wires. This makes it really difficult to attach wires in cramped or dark spaces. The Avast breakout box uses push-connectors like found on stereo speakers, and each port has its own pair of connectors.

I came across this handy magnetic bracket with 4 float switches:

I placed it in my sump and adjusted the positions of each float for various conditions. The switch numbers correspond to the ports on my breakout box:

• 6 - Water too high
• 5 - Water above skimmer chamber limit
• 4 - Water at normal level
• 3 - Water too low

Now I can program my Apex to react to various water level conditions. Previously I had a hodge-podge of float switches and optical sensors (including the ATK sensors), but this will allow me to clean up my wiring and Apex code.

Love this! Thanks for sharing!

 

[Tastee]

Me Too, thanks!

 

[ca1ore]

Avast BoB seconded. Buy it as a kit, and it’s quite inexpensive. Also buy quality floats. I always buy the Madison switches - haven’t had one fail yet versus cheaper brands that fail all the time. I think I have something like 20 floats across my system. Sump level (very high, high and low), ATO, water change barrels, ATO reservoir, dosing containers, skimmate container ......

 

[foxt]

Another place I use float switches is in my water mixing station. I have float switches to control the RODI, to tell me when the saltwater tank is getting low, and to shut the heaters down when the water level is likely leaving them uncovered.