wave maker with power heads?

want 2B reef · 05/16/2007, 10:53 AM

Have looked thru threads and have not found what I'm looking for, which an answer to this:

-Is wave making so critical?
-Can you simple put some power heads on a timer?
-Does the wave maker have setting for gradual turn on and vary the flow rate that is so desirable that you can't just have power heads turning off /on bluntly?
-Placement....I have 2 maxi's where should I put them to get the desired effect?

As usual thx

Nano Chris · 05/16/2007, 11:35 AM

-The purpose of a wave maker is to mimic the wave patterns in the ocean to a more natural setting.
-You can, something like 1 minute intervals (they have wave makers designed for use with power heads such as these: http://www.marinedepot.com/aquarium_...ex.asp?CartId= )
-Some modules have a setting built in to start the pumps slowly, and vary the flow (such as Tunze, Vortech)
-I have my Maxis on the back glass pointed towards the front glass sort of crossing each other.

want 2B reef · 05/16/2007, 11:53 AM

What about having one power head coming on with say the actincs for 8hrs and leaving one on constantly just to change flow patterns in the tank?

OR

are what we trying to accomplish is the rythum of waves on the shoreline hence back and forth motion of switching on/off every minute or so with varying flow rates?

thx again and again....

Aquarist007 · 05/16/2007, 12:09 PM

I use three power heads on a alternating timer set to one min.
The kind of flow is what is important here-
Laminar flow is a steady flow which can leave pocket of uncirculated water.
Turbulant flow is just that--and it is like waves--it is random and has periods of strong and weak current.
What you want to ensure is that you have a good flow over the surface of the water so you don't get a dead area where you want oxygen exchange
If you have sps corals you want lots of random flow in the tank.LPs don't like strong currents in general.
If you place your sps's at the top of the reef near the lights and the lps towards the bottom--then your power heads should be placed towards the higher end of the tank.
Wave makers operate the same way put have the advantage that they are external-and don't mess up the natural look of the reef with power heads and cords etc.

05/16/2007, 10:53 AM	#1
want 2B reef Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Maricopa, AZ (Dry heat my A__). Posts: 11	wave maker with power heads? Have looked thru threads and have not found what I'm looking for, which an answer to this: -Is wave making so critical? -Can you simple put some power heads on a timer? -Does the wave maker have setting for gradual turn on and vary the flow rate that is so desirable that you can't just have power heads turning off /on bluntly? -Placement....I have 2 maxi's where should I put them to get the desired effect? As usual thx __________________ If you don't have baggage, then you have not traveled. Current Tank Info: 46 bow front, T5x4,Current Fission PS, live rock this week :), UV once I get fish!

05/16/2007, 11:35 AM	#2
Nano Chris Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 2,758	-The purpose of a wave maker is to mimic the wave patterns in the ocean to a more natural setting. -You can, something like 1 minute intervals (they have wave makers designed for use with power heads such as these: http://www.marinedepot.com/aquarium_...ex.asp?CartId= ) -Some modules have a setting built in to start the pumps slowly, and vary the flow (such as Tunze, Vortech) -I have my Maxis on the back glass pointed towards the front glass sort of crossing each other. __________________ Chris ------- 34 Gallon Red Sea Max 130! Setup (Just got back into the hobby) Current Tank Info: 34 Gallon RedSeaMax!

05/16/2007, 11:53 AM	#3
want 2B reef Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Maricopa, AZ (Dry heat my A__). Posts: 11	What about having one power head coming on with say the actincs for 8hrs and leaving one on constantly just to change flow patterns in the tank? OR are what we trying to accomplish is the rythum of waves on the shoreline hence back and forth motion of switching on/off every minute or so with varying flow rates? thx again and again.... __________________ If you don't have baggage, then you have not traveled. Current Tank Info: 46 bow front, T5x4,Current Fission PS, live rock this week :), UV once I get fish!

05/16/2007, 12:09 PM	#4
Aquarist007 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Hamilton, Canada Posts: 28,240 Blog Entries: 1	I use three power heads on a alternating timer set to one min. The kind of flow is what is important here- Laminar flow is a steady flow which can leave pocket of uncirculated water. Turbulant flow is just that--and it is like waves--it is random and has periods of strong and weak current. What you want to ensure is that you have a good flow over the surface of the water so you don't get a dead area where you want oxygen exchange If you have sps corals you want lots of random flow in the tank.LPs don't like strong currents in general. If you place your sps's at the top of the reef near the lights and the lps towards the bottom--then your power heads should be placed towards the higher end of the tank. Wave makers operate the same way put have the advantage that they are external-and don't mess up the natural look of the reef with power heads and cords etc. __________________ I prefer my substrates stirred but not shaken Current Tank Info: 150gal long mixed reef, 90gal sump, 60 gal refugium with 200 lbs live rock