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View Full Version : Which level sensors to use?



GHL Support
17.07.2009, 15:17
We are often asked which level sensors shall be used for a certain application.

These sensors are available:
- Optical sensor
- Floating sensor
- Contactless sensor

ProfiLux offers these options:
- Auto Top Off with one sensor
- Auto Top Off with 2 sensors (min. and max.)
- Automatic water change
- Leakage detection

The optical sensors and the floaters can basically be used for all applications, whereas the optical sensors are a bit more non-sensitive regarding soiling.

The contactless sensors have the advantage that they are placed outside of the tank (they measure through the glass) and so they are protected from pollution. An advantage is also the simple mounting (stick on from the outside) and that you don’t have disturbing cables in the aquarium. The disadvantage of these sensors is that also only little water is already registered as level, e.g. sprinkling water which runs down the glass. Already a wet pane will activate the contactless sensor.
That is why the contactless sensor is not suited if the pane above the water surface is permanently wet or soiled. The use in a skimmer is therefore not possible.
The contactless sensors are not suited for the automatic water change, since during the water change the pane remains also wet above the water level, the sensor would then register a water level.
For the Auto Top Off and leakage detection the sensor is however ideally suited.
The glass or acrylic should not be thicker than 8mm for a contactless sensor. If there is much iron in the glass there may also occur prblems with the detection of the water level.