Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I'm looking for a float switch that will turn off my pump if the water in my FT gets to high (system is CHIFT PIST).

Does anyone have any product recommendations?

Also, how does one go about setting this up?

Most of the products I see out there seem to be for turn on a sump when the water gets high, and I need the reverse.

I will bump this; however normally in CHIFT PIST, FT can never get too high and the pump in the sump will cut out on low water in the sump.
It may help if you put in a diagram or pic of how your system is operating.

You can simply tie the float back to the cord (make U sharp). When water high, the end that have the cord attach to it will go up ward and stop the pump.

Cheers,
Long.

Depending on the float, you could just turn it upside down.

If your SLO and delivery to your growbeds is of adequate size then unless your SLO or backbone is blocked it won't over flow your fish tank.

If the water level got above the T piece in your SLO it will turn into a siphon until air gets in (basically it will self regulate).

If you are still worried install and over flow pipe from your fish tank to your sump.

I have one in my system but it never gets used.

I'm worried that the pipe could get blocked and that the pump can pump more water into my FT than my overflow can handle. I have a diversion pipe where I divert the excess water back into the ST before it reaches the FT but I want to err on the side of caution because the system is inside and I don't want to flood my downstairs.

I've found a few auto top off float switches for aquariums that I may use. Will post back with what I buy.

What size is your SLO? The larger the more difficult it would be to block up.

Also, a 40mm over flow pipe acting as a siphon shifts a lot of water quickly.

I have a 90mm SLO - it has never been blocked.

My overflow, which has never been used is 40mm. When I tested it I was surprised at how much water it can move.

But you are right to be careful with your planning. It will lead to a well designed system with less problems.

All the best and look forward to seeing your progress.

My SLO is only 38mm (1.5"). My FT is a 125 gallon aquarium and the SLO was limited in size to the predrilled holes in it.

That's cool - you have to work with what you have got.

I would think a 38mm or even smaller over flow will keep up. What pump do you have? What volume of water will it move at the head you have?

Your only other thing to worry about is will your sump cope if the power or pump fails and everything drains into it?

Have you got some pics of your system yet?

Thanks, sorry for the delayed response.

The sump can handle the flow as long as I leave 4 or so inches of room from the top.

There's some pics below...Also, here's the thread I started on my system about a year ago (viewtopic.php?t=12328)...I need to update

This shows my sump and the pvc leading to my FT. The question is...would this be 8 foot head (to the ceiling) or four foot head (since it drops back down to the fish tank before the water releases?


The white pipe behind the fish tank is the SLO. It drops down to the floor and then rises back up to the GB. The end is slightly lower than the top of the SLO so it works. But, this design probably cuts back on how fast the flow is.