Exactly how bad for your tank is a side to side wave?

splix · 06/10/2016, 01:28 PM

I've got some (a lot) of random bubbles on top of my water that I'm trying to get down the drains now. Not sure where they come from but randomly they just bloom in a matter of hours and take a few days to calm down. Anyways...

I put my MP40's on short pulse mode and tuned it to where they make about a 1 cm tall side to side wave. I've heard this is really hard on your aquarium, but if I let it go for a few hours is it going to the point that it will possibly fail?

I do have some amazing side to side flow going on with my middle soft pieces.
https://youtu.be/suNfIqxQyV8

Sk8r · 06/10/2016, 02:27 PM

If you have 5/8ths inch glass, it's going to tolerate the constant stress much better than a thin-walled tank; and glass will probably take it better than quarter inch acrylic. BUT--these pulsed systems are fairly new in the general market, and I personally would limit the risk. A few hours should be NO problem unless the glass is quite thin or the tank has a weakness. THey're talking about just setting, say, a Gyre to running for years---even the manufacturers probably don't know how many years, but they are trying to warn people to think about the problem.

JMorris271 · 06/10/2016, 02:51 PM

Wow am I glad I read this post. Good question Splix.

splix · 06/10/2016, 03:15 PM

I dont think my glass is 5/8 thick. I cant remember, but it's on the middle peg on the MP40's haha.

06/10/2016, 01:28 PM	#1
splix Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Indiana Posts: 374	Exactly how bad for your tank is a side to side wave? I've got some (a lot) of random bubbles on top of my water that I'm trying to get down the drains now. Not sure where they come from but randomly they just bloom in a matter of hours and take a few days to calm down. Anyways... I put my MP40's on short pulse mode and tuned it to where they make about a 1 cm tall side to side wave. I've heard this is really hard on your aquarium, but if I let it go for a few hours is it going to the point that it will possibly fail? I do have some amazing side to side flow going on with my middle soft pieces. https://youtu.be/suNfIqxQyV8

06/10/2016, 02:27 PM	#2
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	If you have 5/8ths inch glass, it's going to tolerate the constant stress much better than a thin-walled tank; and glass will probably take it better than quarter inch acrylic. BUT--these pulsed systems are fairly new in the general market, and I personally would limit the risk. A few hours should be NO problem unless the glass is quite thin or the tank has a weakness. THey're talking about just setting, say, a Gyre to running for years---even the manufacturers probably don't know how many years, but they are trying to warn people to think about the problem. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

06/10/2016, 02:51 PM	#3
JMorris271 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Foothills of SC Posts: 2,010	Wow am I glad I read this post. Good question Splix. __________________ 120 gal mixed tank. Lightly stocked now but....

06/10/2016, 03:15 PM	#4
splix Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Indiana Posts: 374	I dont think my glass is 5/8 thick. I cant remember, but it's on the middle peg on the MP40's haha.