Surge Device in the works.....

[MarkS]

I am building a Carson surge device for my 55 gallon. The design that I am following can be found here.

My version will be a 12 3/4" wide x 12" high x 12" deep acrylic box that will sit on one end of the aquarium. It will use a 2" PVC output and be driven by a small pump.

I only have one question. What size pump should I use? I was thinking about a Mag 2 or 3, but I know nothing about pumps. I do know that the pump's GPH needs to be small because I want the surge device to fill slowly. There will be aprox. 3' of rise from the pump to the top of the surge device. What pump would be recommended?

As soon as I am done I will post pics and the full plans w/ instructions to the board.

And just as soon as someone can answer my other thread, I'll post the plans in a 3D format along with several renderings.

Mark

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[geo]

I used a carlson type surge bucket on a 25 gallon for a while. I used a "U" tube in 1" MPT adapter for the siphon tube. I had to drill the top of the tube and add a 3/8" barb fitting with a hose run down to the open end of the "U" tube for a siphon break. I will take a picture of it. I tried a mag 2 and it wasn't strong enough to fill the buck and get a siphon started. I had to use a big pump and throttled it down with a ball valve. It did work good but the flow rate into the bucket seemed to be a key issue.I used a carlson type surge bucket on a 25 gallon for a while. I used a "U" tube in 1" MPT adapter for the siphon tube. I had to drill the top of the tube and add a 3/8" barb fitting with a hose run down to the open end of the "U" tube for a siphon break. I will take a picture of it. I tried a mag 2 and it wasn't strong enough to fill the buck and get a siphon started. I had to use a big pump and throttled it down with a ball valve. It did work good but the flow rate into the bucket seemed to be a key issue.

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george w.
see my aquarium & diy calcium reactor

[MarkS]

Thanks, that's what I figured! BTW, you double posted. [img]/ubb/wink.gif[/img]Thanks, that's what I figured! BTW, you double posted. [img]/ubb/wink.gif[/img]

Mark

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[geo]

oops sorry, I cut and paste for spell check[img]/ubb/biggrin.gif[/img]oops sorry, I cut and paste for spell check[img]/ubb/biggrin.gif[/img]

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george w.
see my aquarium & diy calcium reactor

[MarkS]

OK, what size pump should I use? I am thinking Mag 5 or 7.

Any ideas?

Thanks,
Mark

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[geo]

I was pumping into a 5 gallon bucket about 5' off the floor and used a mag 12, but turned it way down. So i would think the 5 or 7 would work. Maybe go for the 7 so you could have more room for adjustment?

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george w.
see my aquarium & diy calcium reactor

[Bobkeane]

Check out www.aquatouch.com for plans for a good surge device.

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[MarkS]

Thanks for the link, but I have already looked at that design.

I choose the Carlson design due to it's simplicity. It works very well and has no mechanical parts to deal with.

Most of the problems with a Carlson device can be eliminated with proper modifications. In fact, the popular 'Silent Surge' device is a modified Carlson surge device. The biggest problems are the noise and the bubbles. I am not too worried about the bubbles, but the noise will be eliminated by the design that I am following.

I'll try to find the link with the design that I am using, but I can tell you that it is very simular to the Silent Surge.

Mark

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[Bobkeane]

I used two "carlson"type on a 200 rr but as you said, the noise and the bubbles. The bursting bubbles and the resulting salt residue on everything was the worst part. I am not familiar with the "Silent Surge". Where can I see it?
Currently, my 225 has no powerheads or anything to supplement the flow. I am using a 3/4 hp spa pump. The current is diffused because the plumbing is 1.5"
There is no movement of the substrate as one would expect with that kind of flow.

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