Novice diy - snail protector

[sbertomen]

A very simple project - but HUGE for me, and I am so proud I did this all by myself and it works! (Well Chemdumb sent me instructions). The modified pill box fits over a float switch which turns the pump on to my auto top off. I took this with just tie wraps because I was testing the level it sat in my tank - now it is glued on to a holder that I got with a power head. I glued the part that fits into the original holder on upside down so I had to improvise a little, but I have tested it for three days and so far no snail has penetrated. The top hole might be a little big, but I had to cut out more of the top to fit the switch in.

 

[fanaglethebagle]

This is brilliant!

 

[sbertomen]

Can't take credit for the idea - I think alot of other people have done this. But this is actually my first successful execution of a reef project.

 

[ChemDumb]

Congratulations! Good luck on your with your tank

 

[Scott]

sorry, as a noob, I have to ask...

I read the subject and thought you needed to protect your snails from something.

But this is to protect your float switch from snails tripping it?

 

[sbertomen]

Yes, if snails hang on it, the pump wouldn't come on. If they push it up, the pump would stay on and overflow the tank and worse yet lower the salinity.

 

[Reefried]

I'm confused, isn't the float switch in your sump? And are there snails in your sump too?? And if so why? I had to do some modifying of my durso so that snails wont get down the tube and start a block in my sump intake, but thats because snails go up and over the overflow box and are always on the standpipe itself, but I'm wondering why snails are in your sump to begin with? Maybe I'm missing something, or the switch isn't in the sump at all. Help me out!!

 

[sbertomen]

Well in fact I bought a sump, overflow, loads of pvc, flex hose, fittings, a pump and a backup, and a aqualifter in the past year. I just don't quite have it put together yet. Hence, my topoff is in my tank. I actually went through four pill bottles making the guard, so you have an idea of my diy skills. I figure it is going to be another six months before I will be able to manage the sump thing.