[reefencounter]

Anyone setup one of these devices and what's your opinion. Looking to put an aquarium thru my wall so I can easily hide the water level fluctuation. The tank will be in the garage so noise should not be an issue (I think). Not so sure if the bubbles that are produced will be annoying or pleasing. If someone has a photo or link to photos of this type of surge device in motion... I would appreciate the lead. FYI - this set up would be a 220 gal with a couple of these devices set up one to dump approx 30gal the other approx 15 gal on opposite ends of the tank. The 2 different sizes is designed to simulate a wave motion.

[Reefland]

There are several DIY's out there but all have their ups and downs I beleive.

Here is a thread in teh DIY forum:
Surge device design. Let me know what you think.

Have you considered other methods of waves or are you set on some type of surge?

Scott Z.

Here's another thread I found on the Carlson design:
Surge Device in the works.....

[tubs]

Reefencounter,

The CSD IME is the least prone to failure because it has no moving parts. In fact in shouldn't fail. Best of all I think it is the easiest to make.


The bubbles may be an issue only if it creates lots of salt creep on the top of your tank. If you have an open top (or close to it) it is not a prob. Otherwise saltspray will quickly build up on top of the tank. BTW this is the case for the flush type as well.

One way to minimize the amount of bubbles is to keep the PVC tubing to a minimum so make your design with this in mind when deciding on the position of the surge tank and the dimensions of the surge tank.

Gurgling noise can be drastically reduced if you drill in a 1/8" hole near the bulkhead on the PVC just above the end of the upside down U. This allows a gentler breaking of the siphon reducing the siphon break noise considerably.

BTW what size PVC will you be using and what size surge tank?

[reefencounter]

Reefland - thanks for the links. Here is the link and photos of the CSD I am looking to make.
http:/breeders-registry.gen.ca.us/Reprints/SeaScope/v13_sumr/surge.htm
(copy and paste)
Tubs - I agree with the perceived no moving parts no failure theory. I also like the idea that I would be using one pump, minimizing the amount of heat to the tank. My top will be open and with a minimum water level of approx 3-4 from the tank, I am thinking the salt spray would be minimized. I have a couple of industry polypro water tanks which I plan on using for the surge tanks. Thinking of using 1.75" tubing on the output and .75" for the inputs.

[scubadude]

You did get my email on all the links and pics didnt you? I can still see you are changing your mind a little and havent really decided how you want to do this exactly. I agree w/ tubs on this as far as being the most effecient and fault-free. An interesting thing also with this would be the life that grows inside the surge dump bucket...it would be also similar to a refugia or scrubber if you will. Maybe even put certain things in there to encourage growth. For example if you had a tang or two and a lawnmower blenny, or some herbivores of some variety for all that matters and you had macro growing in there the rapid velocity of water would probably periodically rip pieces of macro off feeding your herbivores...I see all kinds of experimentations with a system like this. I cant remember if I ever showed you these pics but Morgan Lidster from Inland Aquatics has a fairly slick surge, but it seemed to be a tad bit more bulkier design than the CSD. heres the pics though.

[geo]

i like your dump bucket, looks good. I have always wanted to set up an ATS system. I have a page on a carlson surge. I ran it for a while. I took it down when I relocated the aquarium. Heres a link if you would like to check it out>
http://www.homestead.com/geosreef/surgediy.html