Surge device design. Let me know what you think.

[MarkS]

Here is a surge device that I am making for my 224 gallon tank.

It is a regular Carlson Surge device. I think that it is pretty self explanatory.

Basically, water is pumped into the device from the tank and when it reaches the top of the U tube, it siphons back into the display tank. The 1" vent is there in case the siphon will not start (a serious problem with these devices) and to allow air to escape. The top of the device is air and water tight, yet removable for cleaning. There will be a 2" wide strip of acrylic around the top and a gasket will sit between this and the actual top which is a solid piece of acrylic. The top will be held down with nylon screws.

I plan on using a Mag 5 for the inlet and it will have a ball valve to adjust flow. The 2" surge outlet will be connected to the tank with 2" spa flex and will also have a ball valve to adjust the surge intensity.

The vent is connected to the tank with spa flex just below the water line of the tank. This ensures low head pressure and will reduce the number of bubbles introduced into the tank.

The surge tube connects to the aquarium 12" from the top of the tank, or half way down (24" tall tank).

The device is quite large, but I want a very powerfull and long surge with a long period between surges. I should get this with this design.

The surge device will hold a maximum of 34 gallons.

Mark

[Dazureus]

If the top is pretty air tight, I'm guessing you'll need to keep the outlet of the overlow pipe above the water level of the tank or have an air inlet valve to the surge device chamber. Otherwise there will be a vacuum inside the chamber that might prevent the surge from continuing.

[icemark]

From personal experince you may also want to add a small vent hole in the surge to the tank, just below the max low water level of the tank. This helps also vent back in case of the surge getting "stuck" (for lack of better word).

[naser]

i wish they(meaning anyone)would make a nice looking surge device allready!

[MarkS]

Originally posted by naser
i wish they(meaning anyone)would make a nice looking surge device allready!

I'm working on it. Jeez... Give a guy a break will ya?

Mark

[naser]

i was meaning somthing like lifereef or somthing simular. i have 12 inches to play with now on top of my reef so i would like to use some sort of surge device.

[Fishguru]

I also had an idea for a very simple surge device, but have no drawings for it yet. It uses a Toilet bowl Float, and the plunger thingy (i know very scientific name) that opens to allow the water to flow to the toilet. This will be mounted on the main tank, and when the water drops a specific amount, it will open the plunger on the Holding tank, surging however much water into the tank below. I was thinking maybe a sealed Rubermaid container sitting directly on top of the sump/tank. it opens, large amunt of water could drop as it would be like a 3" Diameter Hole. What do you all think? Fishguru

[Fishguru]

I was looking around and had another idea, What about taking a Emperor 400, and cutting all the insides out of it, placing a high powered powerhead in it facing the bottom. and place a J tube into the tank, then plug the Powerhead into a adjustable timer? Might not be so great for larger tanks but a 55 or smaller. could put one on each side and alternate them. Just a thought-Fishguru

[ReefHog]

Just curious, but whats to stop the water from just spilling through the 2" U-tube without reaching the inside top therefor never creating a siphon?

Art

[MarkS]

Originally posted by ReefHog
Just curious, but whats to stop the water from just spilling through the 2" U-tube without reaching the inside top therefor never creating a siphon?

Art

In order for the siphon to start, both the outlet and and the inlet to the surge tube must be submerged. The plumbing must also be completely air and water tight.

It's 3:00 AM right now. There's much more to it, vaccums and such, but my brain is fighting me to go to sleep. I'll post a more detailed reason in the morning.

Mark

[Reef Man]

Tagging along

Enviado por medio de tapatalk!

[Reefing Madness]

Tagging along

Enviado por medio de tapatalk!

Last post was 12-17-2001. 11 years ago

[chrisfont23]

I wasn't even engaged then, let alone married, kids, job, house...but I'll tag along anyway

[Reefing Madness]

I wasn't even engaged then, let alone married, kids, job, house...but I'll tag along anyway

[muttley000]

anyone know where to find current info on DIYing one of these?