The short version:
I was wondering if anyone is using or has used a surge device in their reef aquarium and could share their knowledge and experience about what works and what doesn't work.
Carlson Surge Maker
The long version:
I have been reefing for about a year now and I have a 40g MT with a 20g sump as my first reef tank in order to learn and hopefully not financially kill me. I've been bitten by the reef'n bug and now I love to daydream about my next and much bigger tank after college. While browsing CyclistMT's 300 Gal Plywood and Glass Build there was a video that showed the output of a surge that was integrated into his 3D background. I've never heard of a surge tank so I immediately went right into researching on how to make a surge device for my tank. I am in love with the idea of a surge device in order to create an ebb and flow of the ocean that i could not achieve using my return pump and power heads. My Jebao RW-4's do have some oscillation but nothing as cool as the surge.
What I read on RC is that I can make a surge device go up as much as my overflow is rated for which is 600gph but I am unsure as to if that is wise. I was under the impression when picking out equipment that no more than 10x should go through the refugi and to keep flow around 3-5x MT size. After doing some number crunching I came to a value of 100gph for a surge volume no more than 200gph more through my refugi; which is like 1.66-3.33gpm. I'd limit myself to ~2g for now mainly because I'm unsure if my refugi can hold any more than that when everything is off. Is a ~2g surge once every minute even worth it? Will it even have an affect on a 40g tank?! Although... an extra 100gph/40g is an additional 2.5x flow through the MT and more randomized flow can't be a bad thing, right? Should I just save a portion of my tax return for a gyre instead?!
I was wondering if anyone is using or has used a surge device in their reef aquarium and could share their knowledge and experience about what works and what doesn't work.
Carlson Surge Maker
The long version:
I have been reefing for about a year now and I have a 40g MT with a 20g sump as my first reef tank in order to learn and hopefully not financially kill me. I've been bitten by the reef'n bug and now I love to daydream about my next and much bigger tank after college. While browsing CyclistMT's 300 Gal Plywood and Glass Build there was a video that showed the output of a surge that was integrated into his 3D background. I've never heard of a surge tank so I immediately went right into researching on how to make a surge device for my tank. I am in love with the idea of a surge device in order to create an ebb and flow of the ocean that i could not achieve using my return pump and power heads. My Jebao RW-4's do have some oscillation but nothing as cool as the surge.
What I read on RC is that I can make a surge device go up as much as my overflow is rated for which is 600gph but I am unsure as to if that is wise. I was under the impression when picking out equipment that no more than 10x should go through the refugi and to keep flow around 3-5x MT size. After doing some number crunching I came to a value of 100gph for a surge volume no more than 200gph more through my refugi; which is like 1.66-3.33gpm. I'd limit myself to ~2g for now mainly because I'm unsure if my refugi can hold any more than that when everything is off. Is a ~2g surge once every minute even worth it? Will it even have an affect on a 40g tank?! Although... an extra 100gph/40g is an additional 2.5x flow through the MT and more randomized flow can't be a bad thing, right? Should I just save a portion of my tax return for a gyre instead?!
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