how do reverb tanks work

[jefe]

The general guitar gadgets build for a reverb tank is big. I wish spring reverb fit in a smaller chassis.

Yeah, true reverb tanks are big by nature. There are springs streched out in there... and the bigger the better, if I undertand things correctly. IOW, smaller reverb tanks don't sound quite as good as larger ones. And even the "small" reverb tanks aren't exactly small - they're bigger than most pedals.

If you want small, it's probably best to go with some kind of digital reverb. No springs or reverb tank necessary.