Rygh's 250 gallon upgrade

[Coral reefer]

Well...what about making a partial dry box inside one of your overflows?

 

[rygh]

Well...what about making a partial dry box inside one of your overflows?

Hmm, neat idea.
Each overflow is 6x6, so it would fit easily.
Probably be even quieter in there.

But cooling and moisture/salt would be a big issue.
With the overflow waterfall, there is a lot of salty mist. Yet sealing it would likely overheat it.

I guess I could have it "mostly" enclosed, with some tubes for air flow
that come out above lights, well away from moisture.
Needs some thought.

 

[gimmito]

It seems w/your space constraints Tunze's would be your best option for flow in your tank. I think a Tunze 6215 wavebox would work well in a long narrow tank like yours also. If you can fit some Sea Swirls on the comers of your tank, I think you would be very happy w/the flow they give.

 

[Kensington Reefer]

I have a squid

 

[euod]

I have done most tunze pumps, mp40w, mp60w but none stood the test of performance from day one as the tunze wavebox.

 

[Kensington Reefer]

Wow really?!

 

[euod]

Yep. Love it. Really, really low maintenance.

 

[houser]

euod,
I'm not familiar with your tank, but what are the dimensions, and what sort of movement/wave are we talking about?

 

[houser]

Mark
Let's discuss another option (some DIY) at the meeting. Right up your alley.

 

[Kensington Reefer]

Carlson surge device

 

[euod]

euod,
I'm not familiar with your tank, but what are the dimensions, and what sort of movement/wave are we talking about?

180 gal, 7ft long tank and I can get 1.5" -2" wave but I set it at 1"-1.5" wave with the wavebox alone

 

[rygh]

euod,
I'm not familiar with your tank, but what are the dimensions, and what sort of movement/wave are we talking about?

180 gal, 7ft long tank and I can get 1.5" -2" wave but I set it at 1"-1.5" wave with the wavebox alone

Great info!!
Relatively similar tank.

I think I will make a wave tonight with a pan or paddle, and see what happens.
My only other concern with the wave is noise as the wave causes surges of
water over the overflows.

 

[rygh]

Mark
Let's discuss another option (some DIY) at the meeting. Right up your alley.

Sounds interesting.
(And yes, I will be at meeting)

 

[rygh]

Carlson surge device

Yes, that is a real option as well.
I could fairly easily put the reservoir(s) in the garage, above the sump.

My main concerns: primarily the noise. Also the bubbles, and my overflows
might be a bit small for a big surge.
But solvable.

 

[rygh]

Appreciate all the great ideas!!

One thing I might even consider is a combination surge / wave.
If I can do a short-period controlled surge, with valves controlled by the micro,
I could have one on each end, to set up an oscillating wave.
Crazy, but hmmm.....

 

[Coral reefer]

Crazy cool!

 

[rygh]

So here is the surge + wave concept I was thinking about.

General concept:

Valve:

CONCERNS:
1) Not super hard, but not exactly trivial to build.
2) May not be enough flow to create wave.

 

[gimmito]

That looks too cool Mark. Just remember surge tanks create a lot of bubbles, salt creep, & can be noisy.

 

[rygh]

That looks too cool Mark. Just remember surge tanks create a lot of bubbles, salt creep, & can be noisy.

Normal surge tanks definitely do, yes.

But the hope is that using valves, and keeping the water level above the valves, should eliminate the bubbles and other big issues.
You never get air in the pipes from surge tank to main tank, hence you never get the rush of air that causes all the issues.
Also, exit points from those pipes in main tank need to be below water level.

There will still be noise from the surge filling the main tank, and rushing over the overflows though.
And somehow, seems like air always gets in a bit.

 

[gimmito]

The Rygh Surge Tank !