Surge devices

[minfinger]

Give me some ideas...I think I really want to do one of these.

[robwsup]

Do a search on Carlson surge devices. There is only one moving part, the pump. I built mine from start to finish in two hours. You need a pump, pipe ( I used 3/4" and 1 1/4"), two bulkhead fittings, and a few pipe fittings. No float valves or switches to fail and extremely badass! I might be able to get an *.mpg of mine in action.

[minfinger]

Sweet...Post it.

[minfinger]

This?
http://avdil.gtri.gatech.edu/RCM/RCM/Aquarium/LeftSurgeDevice.GIF
http://avdil.gtri.gatech.edu/RCM/RCM/Aquarium/RightSurgeDevice.GIF

http://avdil.gtri.gatech.edu/RCM/RCM/Aquarium/CirculationSystem.html

[robwsup]

Yeah that's it that she is holding. I couldn't tell,until I read the text in the last link. Her devices are wimpy 3 gallon ones only a foot or two above the tank. I imagine they do the job well though, much better than a bunch of Maxi-Jets turning on and off.

[minfinger]

I need to make one that will alternate between 3 tanks.

[Troy182]

run it through a squid

[minfinger]

I'd like to set it up so that it goes from tank 1 on the first run and then tank 2 on the second run and then tank 3 on the 3rd. After that it would start back over, but I just don't know the logistics of all that. I think it's a sweet idea.

Does anyone know of anything that would make a good surge box?

[Troy182]

seen large trash cans used. Also seen people use 5 gallon buckets. basicly i think you want something that is kinda tall and easily drilled.

[Simbo18]

Rob, when do you think you'll have that vid ready?? I can't stop thinking about this, lol.

Luke

[skipm]

Mike,
If you look in the DIY section of this link they have plans for a different kind of surge device. Skip

http://www.hawkfish.org/snailman.htm

[Troy182]

http://www.breeders-registry.gen.ca.us/Reprints/MFM/v11_aug96/simple_surge.htm

[robwsup]

Troy,
Your link is the one I use. Skip's link uses a float valve type, which I am not fond of. One moving part=too many moving parts.

[minfinger]

Yes I like the link that troy had also. I may design one of those. I have an old rubbermaid that I was using for water changes and it would work perfectly...I think LOL

[skipm]

Troys link does look like it would be a safer design since it has an overflow and has no moving parts (unless you count the pump used to fill it). It also looks simple enough and cheap enough to build so that you could make one for each of the tanks Mike instead of trying to come up with a way to alternate between the three of them.
Great find Troy.
Skip

[minfinger]

Yeah, that's what I was thinking...Maybe one for each tank.

One thing, I've got 2 SCWDs left that I'm going to use, plus I've got the huge Iwaki 70RTL pump...1400GPH on 3 SCWDs. I might not need the surge box.

Plus I found a little giant pump that came with my RO Unit purchase, a 8.5 GPM or 510 GPH. Not to bad, maybe I can plumb it into my 29G :D

[robwsup]

Or if you use a common plumbed system, you could have just one and split the outlet into three pipes. Believe me, the 30 gallon surge that I have could power three normal sized tanks, considering it creates a tsunami in my 8'x4' tank! Also, the overflow line is not needed. It is doubtful you would clog a 1 1/4" surge pipe, and not clog a 1/2" overflow pipe

[skipm]

Keep adding all of those pumps and you are going to have to upgrade your electrical service on your house. I would think that if you built a manifold the 70RLT would do a great job in those three tanks and you probably wouldn't need any additional current. I thought that you were looking to the future for your big system with the surge devices. Skip

[minfinger]

I was thinking about both, but I think I'll just go with the regular pump to keep costs down.

I'll do the surge on the garage system if I ever find the need to set it up.