Need your Assistance Please

[islandreef]

Everything in the tank is fine but I woke up this morning to water on my nice wood floor, needless to say I went into action with towels and now have fans pointed at the stand so I can dry the water up underneath since I cant get to it. This has never happen before and I dont want it to happen again. Is there a way I can put a float switch our something so that if the water gets to that point it automatically shuts the return pump off.

 

[kzoo]

Some thing clog your drain?

 

[islandreef]

kzoo;819830 wrote: Some thing clog your drain?

Unfortunately my tank isnt drilled so I have a hang over unit that pulls the water into my sump, for some reason it lost its full flow so not as much water was running into the sump. One thing I know is my top off works, that kicked on and pump all my top off water into my sump, I am glad I only have 5 gallons if it was more this would have been even worse. Well the return pump kept pumping and pumped about 10-15 gallons of water out of the tank on my floor and even saw a few puddles in my basement. THANK GOD ITS NOT FINISHED, so that didnt bother me as much. But I want to put something place to shut the pump off if this ever happens again I PRAY IT DOES NOT, but you never know.

Edit:

2ruble;819831 wrote: where did the water come from? as KZOO asked, is your drain clogged? are the drains dirty covered?

Ran over the top of the tank and the return pump kept pumping and my TOP off water got pumped into my return.

Edit: I have the JBJ auto top off is there a way I could have it shut down the return pump if the water level goes low? Or should I get something like this.

http://www.amazon.com/Ultralife-Ultra-Float-Switch/dp/B0002DKBE0

 

[cdavidson]

Islandreef;819828 wrote: Is there a way I can put a float switch our something so that if the water gets to that point it automatically shuts the return pump off.

I dont have a JBJ ATO so I dont know if it can or cannot be done with it. However, if you have a cheap float sensor you can have your return pump powered from a Normally Closed (NC) relay. The float sensor will be closed when the water level is fine. When the water level rises the float switch will complete the circuit, the relay will open and the pump will turn off.

 

[islandreef]

I have been in the process of lowering my salinity because it has been a bit high lately so I was doing it slowly, this actually has brought it to 1.026 which I think is where it should be if not a bit lower.

 

[jimmystephens]

Shouldnt the return pipe have a small hole in it to stop the syphon effect before over filling the sump? I know mine came with it

 

[islandreef]

JimmyStephens;819894 wrote: Shouldnt the return pipe have a small hole in it to stop the syphon effect before over filling the sump? I know mine came with it

The return pipe does have the hole, but that wasn't the problem. I have been doing some test all day ("thank GOD for working from home"). I think I found the issue because I noticed it several times today, I run the CPR backpack with the aqua lifter pump at the top, I shut down my return pump and took the aqua lifter pump off and noticed that one of the sections was actually clogged up so it wasn't keeping the suction, I had also placed a small hose in CPR so in case it lost suction I could suck on that hose and make it go once again, but in doing that I added an air source so when it lost suction because the inlet of my aqua lifter pump was rather clogged up the air hose I put in there added more air into the area which meant BOOM no overflow then my return pump just keeps pumping. AND YOU KNOW THE REST OF THE STORY.

I think I have solved the issue but I still want to implement something that will shut down my pump if the water in the tank gets to high.

 

[islandreef]

cdavidson;819847 wrote: I dont have a JBJ ATO so I dont know if it can or cannot be done with it. However, if you have a cheap float sensor you can have your return pump powered from a Normally Closed (NC) relay. The float sensor will be closed when the water level is fine. When the water level rises the float switch will complete the circuit, the relay will open and the pump will turn off.

Sorry man explain it to me like I am an idiot :yes:, I do have a reefkeeper lite, can it be done with this?

 

[tony_caliente]

PM Sent Call me. I talk faster than type.

 

[acroholic]

Do you have an SL1 or SL2 module with your Reefkeeeper Lite? If yes, all you need is a Digital Aquatics float switch kit. Set the float switch up on the back of the tank. You connect the float switch wire to your SL1 or SL2 switch A or B connector, then set an alarm on your RKL that turns the PC4 outlet the pump is plugged into off if the float switch engages. I think Optimum or Creation stocks them, but you might want to call before driving over.

Long term, you should really buy yourself a drilled tank. You will be a lot happier.

edit: make sure you buy the DA float switch kit with the acrylic holder, not just the float switch itself.

 

[tony_caliente]

I did what Dave just said, but I don't have a RK.

 

[kirkwood]

In my old system when I had an HOB overflow I had a large astrea snail get into the overflow tubing and it caused the sump to push too much water into the DT and it overflowed.

So check your overflow for unwanted visitors.

 

[islandreef]

Kirkwood;820066 wrote: In my old system when I had an HOB overflow I had a large astrea snail get into the overflow tubing and it caused the sump to push too much water into the DT and it overflowed.

So check your overflow for unwanted visitors.

One of the great things about this overflow is it has a hard mesh that keeps anything large enough to clog the overflow out.

Edit:

Acroholic;820041 wrote: Do you have an SL1 or SL2 module with your Reefkeeeper Lite? If yes, all you need is a Digital Aquatics float switch kit. Set the float switch up on the back of the tank. You connect the float switch wire to your SL1 or SL2 switch A or B connector, then set an alarm on your RKL that turns the PC4 outlet the pump is plugged into off if the float switch engages. I think Optimum or Creation stocks them, but you might want to call before driving over.

Long term, you should really buy yourself a drilled tank. You will be a lot happier.

edit: make sure you buy the DA float switch kit with the acrylic holder, not just the float switch itself.

Dont have one at this time, still looking at getting one.