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Thread: Float switch mounting

  1. #1
    Regular Vistor
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    Float switch mounting

    What is everyone using to hold there float switches? I want to add one on the top of the tank

  2. #2
    Regular Vistor
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    Auto top off dot com sells cheap mounts that fit most applications


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  3. #3
    Regular Vistor
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    Thanks, I will check it out!

  4. #4
    Frequent Visitor MatroxD's Avatar
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    Lol, or.. A simple eggcrate mount is very easy to make and is cheap..

    from my note 4

  5. #5
    Regular Vistor
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    Would be interested in seeing a pic of those DIY egg rate holders


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  6. #6
    Regular Vistor
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    Quote Originally Posted by Reef_Paddy View Post
    Would be interested in seeing a pic of those DIY egg rate holders
    I am also curious to see some!

  7. #7
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    I use 1/2" PVC pipe.
    I mount Madison float switches on a 1 inch stub of straight pipe that "tee's" off horizontally between 2 vertical straight pieces. I leave it all unglued. The float switches can be mounted above or below the horizontal piece. Cut the vertical pipe lengths to determine the water levels that will throw the switches. The wires run inside the pipes and out over the top of the tank. The pipes are left open ended so they do fill with water. With 2 Tees you can mount 2 float switches for High and Low water level set points.

    I mount the float switches by drilling a hole in the pipe and tapping a screw thread into it. You have to be very careful when you screw the float switch into the pipe. As you turn the float switch the wires will twist. After only a few turns you may snap the wires off the float switch. Using a larger diameter pipe eases the wire twisting but does not eliminate it. Also, mount the float switches and route the wires before putting the pipe segments and tee(s) together. Remember ... No glue is required.

    These float switch stands are not beautiful but they functional and really cheap. They're just fine in support tanks like sumps, refugia, hospital, reservoirs and the like where looks may not count so much.

    You can buy an appropriately sized tap that matches the screw threads on your float switches for a few dollars at Home Depot or Lowes, etc.

  8. #8
    Frequent Visitor MatroxD's Avatar
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    Let me see if I can either get the one off my ato tank, or make one really quick and take a picture.. Lol, honestly, they're very, very easy to make.. I love eggcrate for simple little projects like this..

    from my note 4

  9. #9
    Luthier mmn's Avatar
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    pvc + ceramic tile
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  10. #10
    Frequent Visitor LobsterOfJustice's Avatar
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    When I bought my float switches, I bought some "mold-a-holder" too. Its a piece of plastic that you heat up, bend to shape, and it holds the shape when it cools. I did a terrible job and couldn't get it to work how I wanted - however, I was able to use small pieces of the mold-a-holder and bend them into a simple L shape - which I then epoxied to mag floats. I love having the switches mounted to mag floats, you can move them up/down, move them to new sumps, etc. Never have to re-mount.

    http://www.aquahub.com/store/moldaholder9.html
    180g reef with all the bells and whistles

  11. #11
    Frequent Visitor MatroxD's Avatar
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    I made up one really quick. It took about 10 minutes, and a few of my little joints I will go back over just for my own head.. But here are pictures of the "highly technical" float switch holder.. Lol

    from my note 4
    Attached Images Attached Images

  12. #12
    Regular Vistor
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    Wow, that actually does not look bad! Going to give it try! Thanks

  13. #13
    Frequent Visitor MatroxD's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by dragam View Post
    Wow, that actually does not look bad! Going to give it try! Thanks
    And that was a quick, rushed one.. I used to use black eggcrate and take more time with them.. But at this stage, as long as it's solid and functional..

    from my note 4

  14. #14
    Regular Vistor
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    I just built a couple. Picked up a sheet of acrylic from HomeDepot, cut into 2 inch wide strips and bent it over a piece of wood. It actually bent fairly easily with a little bit of heat.

  15. #15
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    Float switch mounting

    Quote Originally Posted by rynoe View Post
    I just built a couple. Picked up a sheet of acrylic from HomeDepot, cut into 2 inch wide strips and bent it over a piece of wood. It actually bent fairly easily with a little bit of heat.
    What kind of heat?

    Hairdryer, heat gun, or torch?


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  16. #16
    Master Control Freak RussM's Avatar
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    Heat gun.
    Please do not send me PMs with technical questions or requesting assistance - use the forums for Apex help. PM me ONLY if the matter is of a private or personal nature. Thanks.

  17. #17
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    I am going to use UniSeals (1/2") and then 1/2" PVC through the UniSeal to mount my float switches

  18. #18
    Regular Vistor
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    I use the extra Tunze magnetic sensor mounts that come with their 3155 Osmolator, and a couple extras. Not cheap as extras were about $20 together, but a clean, low profile magnetic mount point.

    Magnet - 3152.512
    Sensor Housing - 3152.630

    If you're in the US Roger @ Tunze can help you out.

  19. #19
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    This is what I was thinking too. The only difference is I was planning to hang mine from the top using a bulkhead in my two ATOs with 3 switches each; full, half and empty. The half would tell me I need to start making salt water for my auto water change container or to start batching RO/DO for the top off container. For the sump, since its open top, I was going to go with a bracket from autotopoff and again with 3 floats. I would have a normal range for ATO operations and then an emergency high (overflow imminent) and emergency low (pump run dry).

  20. #20
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    I bought a couple of these, work great and holds two float switches if needed:
    http://www.ebay.com/itm/272543862893...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

  21. #21
    Regular Vistor
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    About to install a solution from Printed Reefing Solutions. It comes with one float holder and I added two more, as you can see in the picture. Each holder can be positioned at any specific height you need by sliding up/down on the rod. The holder can also be rotated for positioning away from other brackets/floats or sensors. You can get this with different tank mounting options, rod length, and in various colors. I am using one of the brackets to screw in a 1/4 tube insert that will hold ridged tubing for my DOS automatic water change. Shown with the 18" rod option.

    Brackets 1 and 3 are off-set from one another on the rod and #3 does not interfer with the float on #1


  22. #22
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    Float switch mounting


    I made a custom one and 3D printed it. Has a primary and backup switch with the wires routed internally.

  23. #23
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    Quote Originally Posted by Gotfrogs View Post

    I made a custom one and 3D printed it. Has a primary and backup switch with the wires routed internally.
    Will you share your 3D print file?

    Thanks


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  24. #24
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    You can download the file here https://grabcad.com/library/dual-aqu...switch-mount-1 let me know if you have questions or issues. If needed I can modify the lengths or mount spacing to accommodate of the sumps.

  25. #25
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    Quote Originally Posted by Gotfrogs View Post
    You can download the file here https://grabcad.com/library/dual-aqu...switch-mount-1 let me know if you have questions or issues. If needed I can modify the lengths or mount spacing to accommodate of the sumps.
    Thanks I'll check it out.


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