my DIY surge tank

[muddskipper]

I've been contemplating a surge device for some time now and with buying a 65 gallon this gives me the chance to build and try out all the things I've been wanting to do.. So heres the first of many things to come..

Ok this was built out of acrylic, a tiolet flusher, two bulbs and some pvc...
For testing I set it up for a five gallon flow ( for reasons of using only a five gallon bucket) I used a rio 2500 for a pump.. After alittle tinkering I got exactly a 5 gallon "flush" every 17 seconds.. I can adjust it up to 8 gallons and the goal is to get 8 gallons every 8 seconds..( dont have a pump to push that yet as I'm looking for a pump as a return and would like to split it off that to run the surge thus cutting down on the extra pump and reducing ele..)
The purpose of this is to eliminate having any equipment in the tank and to create a truly random flow pattern eliminating the need for powerheads.. To get even more of a random flow another 4 gallon tank will be put together and installed on the opposite side of the tank .. The thought is a 4 gallon tank will fire faster and work alot more against the 8 gallon flow that will fire slower but more powerfully..

Let me know what your thoughts are!!

 

[muddskipper]

BTW i know everyones gonna be asking about noise, as of right now there is no popping of the floats or valve, the noise from the "flush" is minimal, I've yet to complete the bottom of the tank so i cannot attest to how quiet it will be but as of right now its quiet enough that i would not have a prob with it being in my livingroom.. The loudest noise on the tank as of right now is the closing of the valve and thats not much at all..