Patent ID: 8747075

Claim:
A fluid level management apparatus comprising: a fluid level sensor configured to be mounted to an aquarium containing water, the fluid level sensor device comprising: a heating element mounted to a heat conductive fluid level sensor housing; a temperature sensor mounted to the fluid level sensor housing at a location spaced from the heating element and configured to measure and generate a temperature reading representative of the temperature of the housing; a fluid pump configured to deliver water to an aquarium; a controller comprising: a heating control unit coupled to the heating element and configured to control the temperature of the heating element; a pump control unit coupled to the pump and configured to control operation of the pump to deliver water to an aquarium; and a microprocessor configured to: receive temperature readings from the temperature sensor; control the temperature of the heating element; and control the pump control unit based on the temperature readings received from the temperature sensor; wherein the controller operates the pump to add water to an aquarium when a preselected number of temperature readings from the fluid level sensor housing exceed a prescribed threshold temperature for a prescribed period of time, further wherein elevated temperature readings from the fluid level sensor housing represent a drop in water level in an aquarium.