DIY Gravity Driven Water Top-off with Float Valve
Parts needed:
5 gallon container
Kent Marine float valve
length of 1/4' airline tubing
2' of 3/16' rigid tubing
Goop plumber's glue
Tools needed:
Drill, 3/16' drill bit, 1/2' drill bit
Assembly:
Drill a 3/16' hole in the container fairly close to the bottom. Insert the rigid tubing leaving about 3/4' exposed on the outside. Glue this in place using the plumber's glue. Let this dry completely - a few hours.
About 1' above the water line in your sump drill a 1/2' hole to install the float valve. The Kent valves are adjustable so you do not have to be precise. The best way is to place the valve in the sump with water in the sump and mark where to drill the hole. If your sump is acrylic you will want to be very careful here. Just go slow and steady and you can drill this hole. Once the hole has been drilled, install the float valve. The rubber washer goes on the outside. Make sure this connection is snug.
You will then need to connect the airline tubing to the float valve. Simply open the white nylon union. Inside you will find a 2 bushings. Slide the tubing into the union then place the bushings onto the tubing, one for each side of the union. Now screw the union onto the float valve. Make sure this connection is tight, use teflon tape, or it will leak.
Place the container anywhere you can above the water line of the sump. Run the airline tubing from the float valve to the rigid tubing on the container and you are done.
Now fill the container with water and enjoy.
If maintenance requires you to lower the water level in your sump for a while (say during a water change), you may want to install a shutoff valve to stop the water flow to the float switch. This will keep the sump from filling with fresh water while performing your maintenance.
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