Looking for DIY Surge instructions

[Azilla]

i have built a surge out of a rubbermaid container But it wont surge proper. I am wondering if anyone knows of a working surge instructions.

[StirCrazy]

can you post a pic or drawing so we can look and see if we notice something?

Steve

[JoelF]

Wendell where are you??? Wendell has made surges at OA. :biggrin:

[Gujustud]

http://www.breeders-registry.gen.ca.us/Reprints/MFM/v11_aug96/simple_surge.htm

Probably the best one I know.

[Azilla]

well here is a pic of what it looks like i raised the pipe a lil higher so its about 1 1/2inchs from the top and about 1/2 inch from the bottom.


www.phatkids.net/surge.JPG

[Gujustud]

Looks okay so far. What do you mean by it won't surge properly..

How high above the tank is it? What fills it up?

[trilinearmipmap]

I am interested in building one too so I have researched them on the net.

The diameter of your outlet pipe must be matched to the flow rate you are pumping in to the surge device. If your outlet pipe is too wide compared to the rate of flow into the device, the siphon will not form properly. Also you have a long horizontal area on your outlet pipe and a more abrupt "U-shaped" pipe might make the siphon form more easily. This might be why your device does not surge. Also make sure there are holes in the top of your container to prevent a suction forming which will prevent flow out of the device.

[Azilla]

my surge is about 2feet above.. 1inch PVC just have a 300GPH pump pumpin in what happens is that the water will trickle out creating a flow but the box will not suck the water into the tank.

[Gujustud]

You might find this interesting:

http://www.hogben.org/surge.html

More info:

http://www.breeders-registry.gen.ca.us/Reprints/SeaScope/v13_sumr/surge.htm

[Azilla]

http://www.hogben.org/surge.html

that is what i based mine off of................... hehe shoot ill figure it out i hope

[trilinearmipmap]

Azilla you need to restrict the outflow so the siphon tube fills completely rather than draining before forming a siphon. You can do this by either using a smaller diameter siphon tube, or placing a ball valve on the downstream side of the siphon tube below the bottom water level of the surge device.

[Azilla]

Azilla you need to restrict the outflow so the siphon tube fills completely rather than draining before forming a siphon. You can do this by either using a smaller diameter siphon tube, or placing a ball valve on the downstream side of the siphon tube below the bottom water level of the surge device.

Can u draw me a quick diagram and email it to me at

azilla@phatkids.net

[trilinearmipmap]

Sorry Azilla I'm not familiar with drawying/art type programs to send you a diagram.

Just to explain the idea, for the surge to work the siphon must fill. Once the siphon tube fills up it will empty the surge device. The problem lies when the surge device is filled up too slowly and the siphon never forms, instead water just runs down the siphon tube without filling it.

Anyway just try a higher flow pump to fill your surge, or a smaller diameter outlet (siphon) tube from your surge.

[Jack]

Maybe try gluing your plumbing.

[Azilla]

its all glued

[StirCrazy]

just a question, did you have you outlet submerged?

Steve

[Azilla]

yup i got it working now. Well sorta anyways took me hours lol :eek:

[Gujustud]

yup i got it working now. Well sorta anyways took me hours lol :eek:

what is the secret that fixed your problem? Just incase any of us go thru the same thing.

[Azilla]

LOL I really cant say alot of moving the head in the water up and down side to side. Its not workin 100% proper but it surges. ABout every 2mins it will surge for 13 secounds. I will take some snap shots and show u all

[Azilla]

Ok now My surge is working but a problem how do i stop the bubble from messin up my lens on my lights

[StirCrazy]

Ok now My surge is working but a problem how do i stop the bubble from messin up my lens on my lights

take the surge off :mrgreen:

if ya want the surge you will have to get used to cleaning the bulbs once a week.. I use a paper towel with vinegar on it and they wipe off like nothing. the I run a dry paper towel over them to make sure I got the vinegar all off.

Steve

[Azilla]

Ok so i take it its all ok then wont affect anything

[Azilla]

:cool: here is my Bubbley surge hehe little video

www.phatkids.net/surge.wmv