wave maker questions

bugbdon · 09/10/2008, 04:53 PM

i'm setting up a new 72gallon and new to the idea of a wave maker.
can someone briefly explain to me why some cost so much and other's are affordable? what's the difference? i saw the price of some and i just can't afford that!! are the cheaper one's ok?

Rovert · 09/10/2008, 05:57 PM

Depends on which ones you're talking about.

If you're looking at something like a SCWD, the oscillation is managed by an impeller within the device that switches the baffle between the two output tubes. That creates drag, which reduces the total flow. It's also hard to clean and is you get snails in your sump that get past your return pump, they can jam the device.

A wavemaker like a SeaSwirl are self-powered by a/c current, therefore not inhibited by any drag, allowing far more water volume and velocity to enter the tank. It's a more complex device therefore more costly to manufacture, and that's reflected in the price.

bugbdon · 09/10/2008, 06:16 PM

what about the style that you plug powerheads into? like the ones made by tunze or hyrdo koralia (expensive) vs jbj(less expensive)?

09/10/2008, 04:53 PM	#1
bugbdon Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: pittsburgh, pa Posts: 329	wave maker questions i'm setting up a new 72gallon and new to the idea of a wave maker. can someone briefly explain to me why some cost so much and other's are affordable? what's the difference? i saw the price of some and i just can't afford that!! are the cheaper one's ok?

09/10/2008, 05:57 PM	#2
Rovert Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Pike County, PA Posts: 1,774	Depends on which ones you're talking about. If you're looking at something like a SCWD, the oscillation is managed by an impeller within the device that switches the baffle between the two output tubes. That creates drag, which reduces the total flow. It's also hard to clean and is you get snails in your sump that get past your return pump, they can jam the device. A wavemaker like a SeaSwirl are self-powered by a/c current, therefore not inhibited by any drag, allowing far more water volume and velocity to enter the tank. It's a more complex device therefore more costly to manufacture, and that's reflected in the price. __________________ "Following the path of least resistance is what makes rivers, and men, crooked."

09/10/2008, 06:16 PM	#3
bugbdon Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: pittsburgh, pa Posts: 329	what about the style that you plug powerheads into? like the ones made by tunze or hyrdo koralia (expensive) vs jbj(less expensive)?