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View Poll Results: What method of surge, if you liked or disliked it
Used CSD, liked and will use again 1 6.67%
Used CSD, did not like and will not use again 0 0%
Currently using CSD, and like it 0 0%
Used Bourneman Device, liked and will use again 1 6.67%
Used Bourneman Device, disliked and will not use again 0 0%
Currently using Bourneman Device, and like it 0 0%
Used solenoid valve, liked and will use again 0 0%
Used solenoid valve, disliked and will not use again 0 0%
Currently using solenoid valve, and like it 0 0%
Its unnecessary but fun to watch other people fiddle with it 14 93.33%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 15. You may not vote on this poll

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  #1  
Old 02-13-2009, 05:47 PM
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Default Who has used 'surge' devices and what kind?

Hey people, who has used and would use again, has used and did not like, or is interested in trying a surge system, and what kind?

I'm building a modified CSD for my pico (I have yet to build the tank or even order the glass ) and was wondering how everyone's experience was or is?
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  #2  
Old 02-13-2009, 07:52 PM
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I used a Borneman (toilet flapper) surge. My plan was to have 2 5g buckets at each end of the tank, but in the end only got around to one. The plastic chain I used to hold the float was constantly getting stuck on itself or the ball would wedge itself so it was stuck open or stuck closed a good 1/3 of the time. If I were to do it again I'd go with a square tank and larger so that it wouldn't be prone to this.

Other than that it worked well. I drilled the pipe near the outflow and put a little tube into it for letting the air escape and that cut down on the bubbles a lot.

It made a really neat "kerploosh" sound when opening.

I voted that I would do it again, but the truth is I'd give a Carlson surge an equally viable consideration as well ... without moving parts I think it would be more reliable. At least when it failed it wasn't a disaster as there was an emergency overflow but still, you want to know it's doing its thing and not just sitting there trickling away into the tank.
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Old 02-13-2009, 08:23 PM
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I've used the carlson devices on different sized tanks.

Pros:

- Kind of a neat way to get some flow - it's not that great
- Fun to tinker and build

Cons:

- Lots of micro-bubbles
- Loud
- Pain in the ass to make and have setup above and beside your aquarium
- Cost just as much as a powerhead, except it's a pain in the ass
- Pain in the ass
- Looks ghetto

I think you know which option I voted for.
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Old 02-13-2009, 08:31 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jack View Post

- Pain in the ass to make and have setup above and beside your aquarium
- Cost just as much as a powerhead, except it's a pain in the ass
- Pain in the ass
What are you trying to say here Jack?
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Old 02-13-2009, 08:44 PM
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Don't be a pain in the ass too Christy, lol. I'm just buggin' ya.

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Originally Posted by christyf5 View Post
What are you trying to say here Jack?

Last edited by Jack; 02-13-2009 at 08:47 PM.
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Old 02-13-2009, 08:46 PM
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Some constructive input:

It may work out on a Pico but I've never seen it done before. Has anyone? Links?
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  #7  
Old 02-13-2009, 08:47 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jack View Post
I've used the carlson devices on different sized tanks.

Pros:

- Kind of a neat way to get some flow - it's not that great
- Fun to tinker and build

Cons:

- Lots of micro-bubbles
- Loud
- Pain in the ass to make and have setup above and beside your aquarium
- Cost just as much as a powerhead, except it's a pain in the ass
- Pain in the ass
- Looks ghetto

I think you know which option I voted for.
Good to hear some opinions, keep 'em coming. I'll be using a CSD either way and have figured ways to deal with most of the issues with them, but it's good to hear someone's experience.
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Old 02-13-2009, 08:51 PM
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YouTube has a few videos of surge buckets in action.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZDqlOAQfao

This one is pretty ghetto but it gives you some ideas!

Last edited by Jack; 02-13-2009 at 08:54 PM.
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  #9  
Old 02-13-2009, 08:54 PM
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Yeah I've seen the videos, my system will be a little different... I'll have a surge every 4 seconds, rather than every 2 minutes.

That video is super ghetto... I'm definitely hiding everything, it's too much to have ugly piping sticking out everywhere. Part of the reason to plan for a surge system from the beginning
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Last edited by BlueAbyss; 02-13-2009 at 08:56 PM.
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