'PicoSurge'

[golf nut]

Originally Posted by BlueAbyss

Not at the moment no... Soon, I'm working it out on paper and will do a full draw-up once I've got everything figured.

I will not be using the toilet flapper, mainly because it will take up waaaay more space than I can alot to the surge system. The surge itself will only be about 1 liter, so I don't need something huge... and the more compact the better. On that note, I've realized that I still will need an emergency drain on the surge tank for me to feel completely safe about it. Though there should never (EVER!) be water running through it, the piping I'll be using will be too big to get blocked by anything that would make it through the pump.

I've tried to minimize the size of the CSD siphon and surge tank(s) but even so the system is looking like there will be parts that are quite tall. Hmm... well, there's some more design work to be done, a couple kinks need to get worked out. I'm on it, don't worry.

More to come when I get the design down. Then I'll have pics of the proposed plan. Or plans. Whatever

I think I have read this before a couple of times. the couple of kinks can become a huge pain in the orifice.

[BlueAbyss]

Originally Posted by Mr OM

I think I have read this before a couple of times. the couple of kinks can become a huge pain in the orifice.

True that. I'm sure I've repeated myself also... Sorry 'bout that But things are moving along!

On that note...


There's a basic idea of what this project is. Now it's bed time... been a long night figuring out Sketchup, but worth watching the tutorials

[golf nut]

Originally Posted by BlueAbyss

True that. I'm sure I've repeated myself also... Sorry 'bout that But things are moving along!

On that note...


There's a basic idea of what this project is. Now it's bed time... been a long night figuring out Sketchup, but worth watching the tutorials

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?

[superduperwesman]

Originally Posted by BlueAbyss

True that. I'm sure I've repeated myself also... Sorry 'bout that But things are moving along!

On that note...


There's a basic idea of what this project is. Now it's bed time... been a long night figuring out Sketchup, but worth watching the tutorials

I thought you couldn't copyright IDEAS ahah

[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.

[golf nut]

Here as another option for you, sort of complicated but a true dual surge without any tank level changes. notice the lower surge tanks have sealed tops to them, they are not open to the air.

[BlueAbyss]

Originally Posted by Mr OM

Here as another option for you, sort of complicated but a true dual surge without any tank level changes. notice the lower surge tanks have sealed tops to them, they are not open to the air.

OMG I think that may solve my problem with fluctuating sump levels I like this drawing! I need to figure out a way to make an area that doesn't fluctuate with surge but still lets me know when I need to top off... not sure if this would do that, though the water level in the lower chambers should never change which in itself could be useful. I like the concept though, and will likely apply something like this in my seagrass build

[golf nut]

Originally Posted by BlueAbyss

OMG I think that may solve my problem with fluctuating sump levels I like this drawing! I need to figure out a way to make an area that doesn't fluctuate with surge but still lets me know when I need to top off... not sure if this would do that, though the water level in the lower chambers should never change which in itself could be useful. I like the concept though, and will likely apply something like this in my seagrass build

Have you considered using the flow from the pump to do the switching?

[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