Slow down Vectra pump with Apex and float switch?
 

I’m building a new system and one of the features is a refugium. The refugium is feed by a valve split of the overflow. The refugium feeds the sump.

The pipe feeding from the refugium to the sump is 1-1/2” PBC with a conical strainer. I am conserned about the strainer becoming clogged causing the refugium to overflow. I have installed a float switch in the refugium to trip an alarm in the APEX if the water comes within 3/4” of overflowing. It can also power down the return pump however I would prefer to have it just reduce the pump’s output power. Is there any way to do that?

Not with the Vectra since it’s not controllable by any 3rd party controller. Your only option would be to get a Neptune Cor pump or a variable speed/DC type pump that has 0-10v control capabilities.

I strongly suggest plumbing an additional emergency drain.

I have an emergency drain.

I was originaly going to set it to just set off an alarm/Text/email verifications.

I’ll program it to turn off the return if there is a high level in the refugium in conjunction with a leak detected

The bottom of the stand is a polyurethane pan and will hold over 10 gallons of water for just this sort of purpose.



Oddly, with the flow level through the refugium, I can’t get it to overflow no matter how tightly I wrap the drain grate with a terrycloth towel.

This is just an abundance of caution.