Simple and cheap res level indicator

[OGPurp]

If it's inconvenient to check the level in your res, try making this simple indicator. Five minutes might save you an overflow, dried out plants, etc.



Materials needed:

aquarium silicone
two 5/8" inside diameter O rings
1/2" threaded male connector (from the electrical aisle)
1/2" combination elbow (INS x FIP)
1/2" hole saw bit
length of 1/2" clear or translucent tubing (as long as your res height)
teflon tape for pipe threads
velcro fastener

Drill a hole through your res, and put the 1/2" male connector inside and connect with the elbow on the outside, with O-rings on each side, and teflon tape on the threads. Attach tubing, and keep vertical using velcro fastener. Seal the connection with silicone inside and out.




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I filled my new bucket 4-pack tonight and it would have been a bitch of a job if I didn't have this indicator to help me along, since the plumbing effectively makes the res lid inaccessible.

 

[Guest]

Hey OGPurp....you the same OGPurp from overgrow?

This is a good idea, I remember seeing tutorials for it back in the day. What I could never understand is it seems that is a big light leak into the res. Then again, I've seen people (Nimby) grow in a clear reservior with no issues.

My luck, I use one of those and the whole crop would die, lol!

 

[Budweiser13]

Very cool thanks for the info...........

 

[OGPurp]

Hey Stoned, yep I'm the same OGPurp fro OG. I was doing an OG grow diary when it went down...I think I remember you vaguely (pardon me, I've got some -induced memory loss).

The tubing in the picture is stamped "general hydroponics" and I got it at a grow store. But I'd be willing to take the chance with the clear tubing from the home improvement big box stores.

Thanks for stopping by, bud, this little mod saved me tons o' hassle and aggravation last night.

 

[DeadlyFoez]

I did pretty much the same thing on my bucket that I use to auto top off my res.

Eventhough I used GH Blue tube, I can still see some algae growth. I bet if someone used clear, especially in their res where there is a perfect enviroment for algea to thrive, allowing any light in could suck.

 

[Guest]

Hey OG I thought that might be you. I don't doubt you can do it with a clear tube, just not a fella with my luck, lol!