Float switch

VickyH

AC Members
Mar 7, 2007
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Medway, Kent
Does anyone know where I can get a float switch from here in the UK? I have a 6ft x 2ft x 2ft tank with sump and I would like to fit a float switch so if the inlet pipe to sump gets blocked the switch will turn pump off when water level drops.
 
If you can’t find anything specifically for aquariums you might try your local caravan supplies shop. They should have a compact float switch for caravans. They may only have 12volt switches. I know 240 volts are available but may be special order.
 
Thank you! Have e-mailed them both for advice and to see if switches will do job.:)
 
Still no joy, RO-man doing their best but can't really help and not heard back from other people. My problem is this - I have a 6ft x 2ft x 2ft tank with 4ft x 20" sump, in one corner of the tank is a tall pipe that the water overflows into togo down into sump then is pumped back up by an aquamedic oceanrunner 6500 into pipe in opposite corner of tank. If anything obstructs overflow pipe the pump pumps water into tank quicker than it can flow out and tank level rises fast, I'm worried that this could happen overnight or while I'm out and cause tank to flood my kitchen! The other problem is that all the float switches I've found work on low voltage but my pump plugs straight into mains at 240v. Does anyone have any ideas to help me???
What with self destructing heaters, gurgling overflows and the threat of flooding I'm close to giving up!!
 
Best to mount your return pump high in the sump, so that if the overflow gets blocked or flow is restricted, the pump will begin to suck air and effectively reduce the flow back to the tank. You also cannot drain the contents of your sump.

The other thing to do is to make your overflow tube a little shorter, this will create a buffer, it will also enable you to run a higher return flow as the water will sit higher in the display tank as it tries to get down the hole.

Hope this helps, and don't give up. There are lots of ways to make a tank redundant.
 
RO man have been excellent and even though they didn't have anything suitable they e-mailed me a link to an item on e-bay that will do the job and I am now waiting for it to arrive in post. Thanks atnixon! Again!!! lol
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The other problem is that all the float switches I've found work on low voltage but my pump plugs straight into mains at 240v. Does anyone have any ideas to help me???
What with self destructing heaters, gurgling overflows and the threat of flooding I'm close to giving up!!

Not a problem at all. Use a 12v transformer and a relay. That way you can use a low voltage float switch, not risk having 240v in the water, and the relay can switch your pump on and off.
 
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