I’m a big supporter of using float valves to keep the water level in an aquaponics system topped up a little at a time, when it is needed.
They should be installed just lower than the “normal low water level” in whatever tank fluctuates. That would be set the depth on the valve so that it will only add water into the system when water level drops below the normal low water level so that when the water is at the high level, you are not going to be overflowing from the valve adding too much water.
Float Valve
It has a hose thread connection and I recommend not using the metal mounting brackets but instead plumbing the valve into place so the plumbing will hold it at the correct depth.
Plastic stock tank float valve
$10.95
I am trying to start my first aquaponics system. I am stuck at the pump and float valve, or a pump and timer. What I would like to do is set a float in the fish stock tank so that when waterdrains back from the grow beds and hits a high level, the pump turns on and pumps water up 8 feet to the dump tank which then begins the circulating process all over again.
A timer that can be set to turn on the pump for 10 minutes once an hour would be great also.
I like the magnetic pumps but need help with either a float or timer.
any suggestions
float switches can often be a bit tricky and must be checked on regularly to make sure they are still operating right and if the water level drops in the tank the switch might not operate properly.
A timer that can turn on and off for an adjustable time and repeat is a repeat cycle timer. They cost around $80 Or you might use an increment timer that would turn on the pump for 15 minute increments and they cost less.