Building a Reverse Carlson Surge Device and looking for inpu

[Rob Klein]

I'm looking to design an aquarium using a minimum number of water pumps but with significant water movement. One device I'd like to experiment with is the reverse carlson. I've ordered the parts (a whopping $150) based on a diagram that Galleon posted (See below). Can anyone comment on pros, cons, tuning, trouble shooting this device? Any other advice on this or other wave making devices?

[ July 01, 2001: Message edited by: Rob Klein ]

 

[Anonymous]

Pros: Natural, powerful.
Cons: Loud, difficult to troubleshoot, torque glass, "eat" anything swimming by the large bulkhead when the wavemaker fires.

 

[2poor2reef]

I have no knowledge to offer but I'd love to know how it works. It's not obvious to me how it causes a surge. What applies the force?

 

[Anonymous]

2poor:
Water fills the 4" pipe up to the waterline. Air is pushed (any aquarium airpump can be used) into the 4" pipe, and pushes the water out of the four inch pipe through the 4" ell, and back into the system through the bulkhead, the air pressurizes the four inch pipe as well (at this point, the 1/2" pipe manifold is filled with water and sealed). When all the air has exited the 4" pipe manifold (but not the 1/2" manifold), the pressure in the four inch pipe manifold exits, and water *explodes* back into the four inch manifold (prompting a rolling, wavelike movement of the entire aquarium water column), pushing the (now equalized) air out of the 4" manifold via the 1/2" manifold. The 4" manifold continues to fill with water until it overflows into the 1/2" manifold internal standpipe, and creates a seal. Then, the entire cycle happens again.

 

[Anonymous]

ok...pointers. Make sure the 1/2 bulkhead is very close to the waterline, as the diagram shows. The placement of the pipes as shown in the diagram is relatively crucial. Make sure the top of the internal standpipe is below the waterline in the display aquarium. Try to use an acrylic tank, less wear and torque than on a glass. The size of the airpump only changes the duration between surges, the pressure and surge, since dicated by gravity, remain the same regardless of which size airpump you use.

 

[2poor2reef]

Thanks for the explanation Galleon. I missed the air pump/thought it was just open to the atmosphere. For what tank size range would the unit shown in the diagram be appropriate? It looks to me like it could be scaled down for smaller tanks without compromising its function. Is that correct?

 

[Rob Klein]

I was already considering cutting egg crate for the 4" inlet. I'm thinking of using a dynamaster as an air pump.

would a good placement for the .5" pipe be 50% below the water line? What is expelled from the .5" pipe? Air, water, or both?

anyone have pictures of a surge using one of these devices?

[ July 02, 2001: Message edited by: Rob Klein ]

 

[Anonymous]

Air is expelled from the .5" pipe. As water fills the 4" pipe when the pressure equlizes, the pressurized air has to have somewhere to go, so it gets pushed out. The water rises, and overflows into the .5" standpipe, creating a seal and allowing the unit to be repressurized and fire again. Yes, I'd say half underwater is about right- it works fine for me.

 

[Rob Klein]

Bumpage

 

[Anonymous]

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