'PicoSurge'

[BlueAbyss]

Originally Posted by Mr OM

The comment wasn't directed at you, I have built many machines and know that 98% is pretty straightforward, it's the last 2% or the kink that causes you the grief.

In your pic are you planning on dumping into a chamber along side the tank on the right?

I wasn't sure what you meant Yeah the bugs are tough sometimes... in the end it always works out. This idea went through about 3 different iterations before the one you see now.

As far as dumping into a chamber on the right, do you mean overflow-wise or surge-wise? If you mean overflow-wise, yes. Surge-wise... I considered that, and it's still an option. Originally my plan was to have surge from both ends and overflow backwards coast-to-coast style... but I think I may set up a 'closed loop' style return from the sump, so that the prevailing water currents are flowing away from the overflow. This should do 2 things... eliminate dead spots at night when the surge system is in 'night mode' and set up water flow that flows slowly in one direction and quickly in the opposite. I want to approximate the look of surges on the reef, and I think this may do it. I may get 2 extra pieces of glass cut just in case I change my mind

Originally Posted by superduperwesman

I thought you couldn't copyright IDEAS ahah

So did PFO

Originally Posted by bignose

Wow I've never seen a tank like this. How do you clean the sump below the display? Looks interesting can't wait for build pictures.

I'll employ the help of snails or hermits... and a cleaning magnet and siphon . Though neither of these will do the job entirely because of the obstructions down there... a lot of piping, the pumps, heater, etc. I want to maintain a clean look, so I don't really want to be able to see all of these utilities. I plan to skin the tank and surge tanks leaving the 'pico' area open for viewing, with a removable front panel so I can see what I'm doing when I clean... BUT this won't happen for a while, or at least until I'm happy with the actual build part