Surge Device

[yoh]

Hi Anthony, well on this internet site I think http://www.breeders-registry.gen.ca.us/Reprints/MFM/v11_aug96/simple_surge.htm

there is a surge device that basically has a container with water flowing into it, and a U tube like thing upside down. The water fills to a certain level, and then all the water flows back into the reef. Well I built this out of PVC peices. Someone told me this was called a reverse carelson surge device. The problem is that the first time I turn it on and it starts filling up, it fills above the U tube. Thats what I want it to do. Then the second time and all the time after that it fill just above the opening on the upside down U and creates a small surge with MILLIONS of bubbles. MILLIONS of them. Everywhere. The pipe going back into the tank and the U tube itself is inch and a half PVC. So my problems are 1)WAY too many bubbles, and, 2) The water doesnt fill high enough and create a big enough surge in the aquarium. Thanks, Adam

 

[Anthony Calfo]

cheers, Adam

surge water flow is some of the very best water flow for popular reef invertebrates being kept... yet the production of such flow is quite a challenge on small scale models. Really... units for tanks of just a few hundred gallons or less are tedious at best and r somewhat of a novelty.

It really is tough to downsize for home/hobby aquariums (functionality and effects - like those bubbles).

I almost never recommend using surge devices for smaller home aquaria, but instead enourage the application of strong random turbulent flow instead.

Dont let that stop you from adjusting and tinkering/experimenting with yours But a long line of aquarists has preceeded you in attampts to adapt these devices for home/hobby use.

I suggest we all just get public aquarium sized tanks instead

kindly,

Anthony

 

[yoh]

well I tinkered and now it works!

I got some questions , on the cover of your book, what is that bright orange soft coral stuff? I want some real bad!

Thanks, Adam

 

[Anthony Calfo]

heehee... believe it or not, its just a (cheap, low value) common branching Alcyoniid that had - at best - slightly above avererage color (orange hued brown/tan) that got better/brighter under natural sunlight. A common "finger leather" that I saw at least at one point in time some years ago in Romulus, MI at Dick Perrin's Tropicorium and in other aquarists tanks in Michigan

Really testimony to how many fish and color look and live so much brighter under natural sunlight with UV not filtered out (as it too commonly is IMO)

Anthony