How to set up a surge?

[tufacody]

I have a 65 gallon cube that has been set up for about a year now, and is tied into the sump of my 180 mixed reef. The dimensions of the cube are 25.5 x 25.5 x 25.5. The tank is lit with an Outer Orbit 250 watt HQI/T5. It is suspended, so I will likely raise the fixture very high and drop it a1/2 inch every day for acclimation.

I ordered a gigantea from Reef Hot Spot that I will be receiving today, and I 'd like suggestions on how to set up the powerheads. I have numerous Koralias (1-4) to use, as well as an AC3 for control.

Right now I have the rock set up so there is a flat ledge about halfway up the tank. It is barebottom.

I'm interested in creating the type of surge that Rod proclaims has been beneficial to his, but I don't wan't to overdo it either. Suggestions as to powerhead placement and how long they should be on-off, and whether they should alternate or both come off and on at the same time are greatly appreciated. Thank you.

 

[dja1980]

Are you actually looking to setup a surge (like a Borneman or Carlson), or are you just looking to create random flow with powerheads?

Rod uses Borneman surges... he actually just sent me the parts list today to build one.

 

[Toddrtrex]

If you are just going to be using powerheads, and not a "real" surge, I would have half of your powerheads on one side of the tank, and the other half on the opposite side. Run one side for a bit, had a calm period, then run the other side.

As for raising up the lights, IMO, using window screening is a much better way to acclimate the Gig to your lights. Just place some egg create on the tank, and then 3 layers of window screening over that, and remove one layer a week.

Like this (( and this is before I got the right sized light for my tank, hence the reason it is hanging off the sides ))

 

[tufacody]

Dja: if you could please elaborate on the Borneman surge and what is needed I'd appreciate it.

Todd, when you say run one side for a bit, how long do you mean? I am thinking a Koralia 4 on one side and a 2 on the other, as the tank is a cube and only 25.5 inches wide. Does this sound about right?

 

[dja1980]

The information Rod sent me is in the form of a Word document... otherwise, I would link to it for you.

Basically, a surge device is a tank that slowly fills with water, and when the water level reaches a certain point, the entire tank (or most of it) is emptied into your display.

The Borneman version actually uses a toilet flapper. If you google "Borneman Surge", you will find a ton of information.

 

[adtravels]

I have a slightly different approach on my 60 cube that supplies a brilliant surge.
I have two vortech on slow pulse mode at 60 percent power, both on for twenty seconds both off for 20 seconds.
I played around, but having seen many gigs first hand in the wild over the years I can say that this is about as natural as I could get.

You could maybe do it with koralia's all on, all off.
However there is always more than one way to skin a cat!
Here is my setup