Thoughts on a wave maker?

[Lowlbt]

I'm contemplating putting in one wave maker just to move the water around in my 6ft tank a bit more

I'm running a ehiem 2217 which is 1000lph but I feel as if the water should be moved around a bit more it is quiet heavily planted and about 30 or so fish in it..

Thoughts???????

 

[Convict2161]

What is your stock? I have a power head in my 75g heavily stocked African Cichlid tank just to help debris from settling on the sand.

Most freshwater tanks, a power head isn't needed. I don't see your tank needing a "wave maker"

Maybe a power head to help move water around but in not sure how good that is for your plants or of your stock will like it.

 

[nereksnad]

Hello!!!!!!!!!

Are there actually wavemakers for sale for aquariums????????

I've only seen powerheads but I do recommend getting one of those as your filter is probably only actually performing 600lph...

 

[Convict2161]

Hello!!!!!!!!!

Are there actually wavemakers for sale for aquariums????????

I've only seen powerheads but I do recommend getting one of those as your filter is probably only actually performing 600lph...

Why are you yelling? It's too early in the morning lol, Yes they make wave makers ALOT of people use them on there saltwater tanks. They can get expensive so... I don't think you really need a wave maker for your tank. We use them in saltwater to help mimic the ocean currents etc...

A power head would be more suitable IMO look into koralia's


http://www.marinedepot.com/Red_Sea_...s_for_Aquariums-Red_Sea-RS3611-FIWMEW-vi.html

http://www.marinedepot.com/JBJ_Ocea..._Aquariums-JBJ_Lighting-JB6111-FIWMEW-vi.html

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/pumps/powerheads-1/vortech/vortech-mp10-es-propeller-pump.html

http://www.marinedepot.com/Hydor_Ko...or_Aquariums-Hydor_USA-HD00924-FIWMEW-vi.html

So.... In short. Yes they make wave makers for aquariums.

 

[jlk]

If your seeking to add more current to your tank, theres no reason why you can not add a wavemaker or powerhead. They both serve the same purpose (moving water) but work in different fashions. Wavemakers are basically an underwater fan while powerheads have motors & impellers. Decent powerheads such as Aquaclears can be a bit pricey but they are adjustable based on current needs & can be fitted with mini filters. Wavemakers run the gamut pricewise but inexpensive ones can be picked up on ebay for @$15. Both powerheads & wavemakers have suggested 'gph' ratings to help you decide on a suitable one for your tank size. I run both in my 55's and personally like them.

 

[nereksnad]

Why are you yelling? It's too early in the morning lol, Yes they make wave makers ALOT of people use them on there saltwater tanks. They can get expensive so... I don't think you really need a wave maker for your tank. We use them in saltwater to help mimic the ocean currents etc...

A power head would be more suitable IMO look into koralia's


http://www.marinedepot.com/Red_Sea_...s_for_Aquariums-Red_Sea-RS3611-FIWMEW-vi.html

http://www.marinedepot.com/JBJ_Ocea..._Aquariums-JBJ_Lighting-JB6111-FIWMEW-vi.html

VorTech MP10 ES Propeller Pump - VorTech - Powerheads - Pumps - Bulk Reef Supply

http://www.marinedepot.com/Hydor_Ko...or_Aquariums-Hydor_USA-HD00924-FIWMEW-vi.html

So.... In short. Yes they make wave makers for aquariums.

i'm not yelling, i am following the writing style that OP has set for his thread.

it is pretty cool that you can get wavemarkers for aquariums, but then again i never look in SW sections so i guess i didn't notice them.

is a wavemarker only for visual appeal? i assume it adds more tear to the part and lasts shorter than a normal powerhead.

 

[jlk]

is a wavemarker only for visual appeal? i assume it adds more tear to the part and lasts shorter than a normal powerhead.

Visual appeal? The purpose of either a wavemaker or powerhead is the add water movement to a tank. They do not create ocean waves, just move water around the tank to prevent dead spots. Not obvious other than seeing plants swaying in the current. How long they last depends on how well they are made.

 

[nereksnad]

Visual appeal? The purpose of either a wavemaker or powerhead is the add water movement to a tank. They do not create ocean waves, just move water around the tank to prevent dead spots. Not obvious other than seeing plants swaying in the current. How long they last depends on how well they are made.

what I mean is, what makes a wave maker better than a powerhead?
obviously there are waves, but do they actually benefit the fish and plants(or corals)? or are they just for the visual appeal, and are exactly as good as a normal powerhead?

 

[jlk]

I dont think one is 'better' than the other- they both serve the same purpose of moving water around a tank. Powerheads (good ones) have a bit more flexibility in that you adjust the flow, reverse the flow or attach additional filters. Benefits vary and depend on the tank, the fish and the setup. Some fish prefer current, others do not. Eliminating dead spots is always a plus (especially in a big tank) and adding additional filtration is a plus as well. Water movement in a fw tank can also help with certain algae issues. I dont keep sw tanks so their use in sw is beyond my realm of experience. I dont think theres a 'visual appeal' and the water movement is not obvious (atleast in my tanks anyway). I would not put one in a small tank because the fish would not be able to swim and everything would be blown around.

 

[Convict2161]

In a saltwater tank it is a must as the most unnatural thing is no movement.

In a fresh water tank I think a power head would be a better option. I have the koralia 1025 in my 75g to help debris from settling on my sand.

Wave makers are a added piece of equipment to help move water back and forth.

http://youtu.be/sWUSIt9yu_A

http://youtu.be/h4hB8m2mNsM

This is what I have in my saltwater tank.

http://youtu.be/1vkGaGgUmnU

I posted these to hopefully give you a better understanding of a wave maker and a regular power head.

 

[skywhitney]

IMO a wavemaker on a FW tank would be a waste of money. FW tanks don't need randomized flow like a Reef so a powerhead should do everything you need.

 

[jlk]

IMO a wavemaker on a FW tank would be a waste of money. FW tanks don't need randomized flow like a Reef so a powerhead should do everything you need.

I am not sure how a wavemaker is a waste of money if your just seeking water movement. Mine were $15 a piece while my AC powerheads were four times the cost.

 

[skywhitney]

to clarify, when I say it is a waste of money i am thinking along the lines of the sump return types and the vortechs, the heavier duty stuff. If there is a way to randomize flow via your normally priced powerheads then i say go for it.

There are multiple different types of "wavemakers" such as Vortech (which I would consider a waste of money for a FW tank) then there are the controllers that you can plug your powerheads into (which are really just outlet timers and tend to be hard on the powerheads), then you have the normal powerheads, koralia as an example, which you can put the deflectors on to randomize movement. I know there are many others as well that i am leaving out.

 

[Willem B]

Depending on how much flow you want power head/wave maker you will need two, one each in a opposite corner cause believe me I went up to 3500 g/h twin wave makers in opposite corners on my 8ft and I just had enough flow to get thing turning and power heads could not come close to it. the problem I think with the power heads the flow was to direct and got consumed(if I can put it that way) by the volume of the water and stopped flowing basically in the middle of the tank.

Just my 2 cents