Water storage tank gauge?

[Crusty Nut]

We have a 3000 gallon storage tank. If, for example, the in ground well pump failed, the jet pump could draw off the tank for quite a while until we knew we had a problem. Then the problem is compounded because with an empty tank there is no reaction time and any repair becomes an emergency repair.

What is the best way to add a gauge to the tank? I'm open to a sight gauge, an alarm, or some other type. A bonus would be something that can be installed without draining the tank.

Thanks

 

[kbs2244]

The old fashioned way is a hole in the lid with a float attached to a stick.
The stick goes up and down with the water level.

 

[D.J.]

Got any pictures and dimensions of the tank would help, aboveground, underground also round, square, etc.

 

[tankd0g]

It really depends on what you have available as far as access holes to the tank. Something like this would be the simplest way http://www.watertanksandpumps.com.au/tankaccessories

 

[Crusty Nut]

The old fashioned way is a hole in the lid with a float attached to a stick.
The stick goes up and down with the water level.

Sure, but how do you keep bugs and tree poop out of it.

Got any pictures and dimensions of the tank would help, aboveground, underground also round, square, etc.

It is an above ground, round tank. About 8 feet tall, 10 feet in diameter, and has a domed top with a small access lid on top. Made of black plastic

 

[nehog]

The old fashioned way is a hole in the lid with a float attached to a stick.
The stick goes up and down with the water level.

Naw, a small pressure switch on the bottom. Water generates about .5 PSI per foot, so depending on the height of the tank, and the desired reserve, there are a lot of switch options. Nice thing about pressure (instead of water height floats) is the lack of any significant moving parts!

 

[71virgil]

I'm not sure if this would do what you're wanting, but you could add a second line from the tank to your pump above the current line. If you install a ball valve in each line, keeping the bottom one closed and only drawing water from the top line, when the tank gets to the level of your upper line the pump would then run out of water and you'd know you had a problem. You could then close the upper valve, open the lower and have a small "reserve" of water.

 

[2012 LML]

PVC Sight Glass

https://plasticstoragetanks.com/cgi...i?xm=on&ppinc=tanks&maxp=50&user4=Sight_Gauge

 

[Zelatore]

If its an above ground tank, why not just put a sight gage on it? Super-simple, totally reliable, and cheap to build.

 

[Stuart in MN]

http://www.gemssensors.com/ has a bunch of different kinds of level sensors, including sight gauges, float switches and other interesting doo-dads.

 

[MScott]

My outdoor wood furnace uses a simple clear plastic tube which runs up the front with a valve at the bottom. You open the valve, allowing the water level in the tube to match the water level inside the tank. Closing the valve allows the water to drain from the tube. (Necessary to avoid freezing but probably not needed in your case.)

 

[HOTFR8]

Visual inspection here. No guages to look at and about every week in summer to check what is in the tanks and in winter just to make sure the unlet filters are clean.

Five tanks in all here as we are relient on rain water.

 

[wellpoison]

we use reverse floats at work. float at bottom of pole, pole through grommet on lid. hinged to another piece with a weight tied on it. then mark different levels on the tank.
these are all bought from our chemical suppliers though. looks like an old fashioned scale.

 

[White 99]

I have got the stick the first reply mentioned. Mine has a short piece of plastic pipe that is just large enough to let a electric fence fiberglass post (1/4" by 3') slide through. It has a pretty good float so it pushes up and down with little clearance and the tube brings opening up off the top of the tank. Float was a toilet float that fiberglass post got glued into. On top of he post is a clip (wire fence clip) to keep it from falling into the tank when it goes below the reach of the stick.

Also if your in ground pump quits do you get some type of warning? Maybe some kind of light when the tank pump is working. That would be the warning to fix whatever is wrong.

What ever make sure if is easily seen because after a while I tend to stop checking. On mine I can check it as I drive out.

 

[ncttrnl]

Why not just go take up some of the slack on your low water level float that turns off your jet pump?

If your jet pump cuts out, you can let the slack back out and you'll be able to use whatever is left in the tank.

 

[TheShrine]

I've got the sight gauge that I've got walk quite a ways over rocky terrain to see...I've got the electronic gauge that routinely has corroded connections...but the fail safe ever reliable guage is the one sticking out the top w/ a float. It's easy to see from a distance, reliable and effective. I know when the round ball gets close to the top that I have approx. 15K gallons to operate on and that there is a pump issue. I have mine set to refill when the ball is about 4 foot from the top of the tank. If the ball is closer than that there is a pump issue or no water to pump! We have recurring droughts here so water supply/availability is an issue.