Water Storage Level Indicator

[rbird]

I recently saw in someone’s build thread (I think) an external water level indicator for ro/di and saltwater storage containers.

The water was stored in Rubbermaid trash cans. An elbow barb connector was located near the bottom of the can and clear vinyl tubing ran up towards the top of the can. The water level that could be seen in the tubing indicated the level inside the can. Markings on the outside of the can could be used to easily measure the amount of water removed or added to the can for mixing salt water.

It was ingeniously simple and I wanted to copy it, but I wanted to take another look at the set up before drilling a hole in my trash can. Now I can’t find the pictures. Can anyone help me find those pics?

A little about me.

I'm starting to restock a 120 gallon reef after losses that occurred during the 2004 Florida hurricane season (extended blackouts). Since that time the tank has been primarily fish only with live rock.

I've been mostly lurking here for the past few weeks. It looks like there have been signifant changes to reef keeping over the past few years.

I'm currently tweeking my water topoff and storage to make things more automated.

[MSU Fan]

bump for looking for the same thing!! Any help out there?

[rick s]

I haven't seen the thread you mentioned but yes, that would be simple to do.

Drill a hole near the bottom of your container and use a bulkhead/elbow/etc to connect a piece of clear tubing. Run that tubing up the side of the container and cut it off slightly above the top of the container. Leave that tube open. Do not cap it off.

Water will always level itself. The water level in the tube will always reflect the water level in the container. Again, as long as you do not cap off the tube, or seal the container (really airtight I mean).

[rbird]

I was able to figure it out without ever finding the thread I referred to.

I used two threaded 1/2 bulkheads placed at the top and bottom of the trash can. I threaded Jaco elbow barb connectors into the bulkheads and connected them with clear vinyl tubing. I can't remember if I used 1/2 or 3/8 inch tubing. I put gallon markings on the tubing with a sharpie.

Water changes and mixing salt water are a snap now. I just drain 10 gallons out of my sump, pump 10 gallons out of my salt water can back into the sump (using the markings for reference), drain 10 gallons out of my fresh water supply (again using the markings for reference), and add salt which is automatically mixed with a maxijet.

I’ll try to remember to snap a picture of the setup tonight and post it.

[rbird]

Here are the pictures I promised.

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/578/169650WaterStorage1.jpg

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/578/169650WaterStorage2.jpg

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/578/169650WaterStorage3.jpg

It looks like my memory failed me. My lfs didn't have threaded bulkheads and I was too impatient to mail order them. I used slip bulkheads, a pvc elbow, and then a Jaco barb to connect the tubing.

The upper bulkhead wasn't necessary, just make sure that the top of the tubing is open to avoid creating a vacuum.

I wish I could give credit to the person I stole the idea from, but I never was able to track down those pictures. As I recall that setup was more elegant. He didn't use bulkheads, instead he was somehow able to seal the hole in the can around the threaded part of a Jaco fixture using nuts and washers. I couldn't find the right parts at my local hardware store so the bulkhead was easier, but probably more expensive.

[mcrist]

Damn that is a simple idea. It is a shame I never thought of it. Thanks for sharing.

[chrismunn]

thats pretty cool

[seagirl]

thanks for sharing, it's a great idea

[rbird]

That was exactly my reaction when I first saw pictures of the setup somewhere in this forum.

I've had it set up like this for about a month and it works great. No more bailing water and hauling around 5 gallon buckets. Now I, and my carpet, remain perfectly dry during water changes.

[just dave]

I used clear PVC.

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/59396water_2.jpg

[RicGio]

It's called a sight glass in the industry. You can put a small floating ball in the tube to help you see the level.