Rubbermaid sump: how to place float valves

User · May 25, 2021

Hey guys

considering replacing my converted 125 sump for a 100g Rubbermaid for extra capacity in anticipation of a 400g upgrade. I’m currently rebuilding my fishroom after moving house, so I have decent space, and doing it now would give me space for an additional lowboy frag grow out, instead of having to reconfigure everything (read: rip out plumbing and waste money on bulkheads etc) in 18 months.

question: how are people positioning ATO sensors in the rubbermaid sumps? I don’t want to drill, since you are then locked in to a particular volume, and I use a IM hydrofil with the platinum sensors.

I have thought about laying a cross brace across the stock tank, with a perpendicular piece that drops down,
And attaching floats or the sensor to that. I could also make that adjustable so I could vary the water level when I add/remove rock or media etc.

So- any tips on doing this? Thanks

Peace River · May 25, 2021

In various DIY setups I have had a few sensor mounts like this over the years:

Varios pump float switch

Does anybody know how to hook up the varios 2 float switch? I am having trouble and if someone could walk me through it it would be much appreciated.

www.reef2reef.com

...or mounted it to a piece of PVC pipe like this:

...or you could even go with something like this for the drain (and then attach the probes as well):

Geo's Reef Rubbermaid Stock Tank Sock Holders

Time to upgrade your old sock holders on your Rubbermaid sump and clean up your act :) The GEO's Reef Batwing is here to help you. Designed for Rubbermaid stock tanks 100 & 150 gallons. Starting at $399. This is a built to order item. Please send us an email to [email protected] if you would...

www.reef2reef.com

Good luck with whatever you choose!

RobB'z Reef · May 25, 2021

magnets?

User · May 25, 2021

Rob.bucek said:
magnets?

Cant use magnets with a float switch, unfortunately

ntableman · Jul 29, 2021

I use this - https://milonetech.com with a simple esp8266 attached with a clamp like this https://www.rcnhobby.com/large-strong-plastic-spring-clamps-clips.html

Dennis Cartier · Jul 29, 2021

As a user of a stock tank for a sump, keep in mind that the surface area will impact how close your ATO will track salinity. Meaning if your ATO has a built in hysteresis that requires a bit of play in the level for it to engage or disengage, the large surface area of a stock tank will magnify it. If your tank is large enough compared to the sump, than the issue is lessened. But if you have a stock tank under a modest sized tank with an ATO that has say a 1/4" (6 mm) of wiggle room, than the salinity shift can get noticeable (if you track it).

Dennis