Never waste your $$$ on Apex leak detection, make your own!

[Reef Pilot]

Leak detection systems are normally outside your tanks, on the floor...

[mike31154]

Originally Posted by Reef Pilot

Leak detection systems are normally outside your tanks, on the floor...

Yes, thanks, I get that. I have a small battery operated one in the basement next to my RO system waste water collection container. Even that appears to have stainless steel probes. Reading the opening post led me to believe the individual has these probes in the reef system since he's using them with his Apex to control pumps, not simply sound an alarm. Even mentions he has one on the top of his tank. Some systems use float switches for that, so I reckon that's where my train of thought was. Either way, never a bad idea to be cautious with the use of copper around a reef tank.

[Reef Pilot]

Originally Posted by mike31154

Reading the opening post led me to believe the individual has these probes in the reef system since he's using them with his Apex to control pumps, not simply sound an alarm. Even mentions he has one on the top of his tank. Some systems use float switches for that, so I reckon that's where my train of thought was. Either way, never a bad idea to be cautious with the use of copper around a reef tank.

My leak detector is under my sump and have it hooked to my Apex IO Breakout box, and it will shut down my return pump if there is a problem. I once had my hose pop off the return pump outlet and shoot water up to the ceiling of my sump room. Luckily I was there at the time, and was able to pull the plug before too much happened (other than I got soaked). But it got me thinking what if I had a leak there (lots of hoses and connections, etc) and was not around to catch it. Of course, since I hooked up my DIY leak detector (zero cost since I already had the Apex and IO breakout box), I have not had any problems.

Important point about copper in the reef though, and float switches can also be used with the IO breakout box. Currently I use one to turn on/off a solenoid as part of my DIY ATO.

[element291]

Originally Posted by Reef Pilot

Leak detection systems are normally outside your tanks, on the floor...

This is true. The only copper that is close to my water is the bent coat hangers I wrapped in tape and used for my apex main pump safety OFF switch.

The copper only hits the water instantaneously for a second max then the pump is triggered off, my water level drops instantly and fast (1.5" drain times 2 1.5" return thats 4.5 inches of straight down to my basement sump.) This drops the water instantly in my tank then the pump will turn back on after a few seconds.

At no time is the copper really "in" my tank. The water once it hits the top rim of my tank in the event that somehow magically my 2 drains were to be clogged up or not working my pump will shutoff any I wont have 6000GPH spewing out all over my living room upstairs.

The apex probes look like stainless, they have stainless philips screws right on the bottom of them holding them together.
If you believe that a tiny coat hanger tip just merely brushing the surface of your water for less than a second is going to somehow leach or put something bad in the water then go ahead and spend the $50 for a neptune probe but I dont see a problem. I would even run this on a 5 gallon nano system as I dont believe that brief encounter is going to harm the water also your drains should never clog nor should your pump change speeds but this is a 100% failsafe that will let you sleep good at night and when your away on vacation.

I do see your point on copper -> saltwater but I dont think the design I am using was really explained the greatest in the beginning.

[element291]

This made me laugh after -
Yes copper is no good for reef tanks but hey they use it to treat fish disease etc!