Anyone using a wave maker?

Tubeworms · 05/11/2017, 06:12 PM

Thinking about getting a tunze controllable but see much cheaper options. Any thoughts?

Brad

Shelbytwp123 · 05/11/2017, 09:01 PM

Hydra Koralia is what I have. 2x 950 gph in DT and nano Koralia 250 gph in refuge. Not as small as expensive version but definitely fo the job

Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk

Ron Reefman · 05/12/2017, 05:12 AM

You know the old saying, you get what you pay for? Well that applies.

I don't like spending $450 for an MP40 wavemaker, or even what Tunze and Koralia charge. So I've been using Jebao wavemakers. Their first gen was pretty crappy, but each new generation got better and better (they must be at about the 4th or 5th gen now). Today I would say they are pretty good units for the price. But don't expect manufacturer support. If the seller doesn't offer a warranty, there isn't one.

I'm currently looking at the CoralBox wavemakers sold by Reef Breeders. I intend to buy 2 systems for my tanks but I'm waiting until they also get in a new led light strip to go with my Photon V2 fixture. The CoralBox appears to be made in Germany, but I'm not sure. They are very reasonably priced though. And Current also has some nice new wavemakers as well. I know they make crap led fixtures, but their new wavemakers and return pumps appear to be much better quality.

mcgyvr · 05/12/2017, 05:13 AM

Yes there are literally thousands of us using controllable powerheads..

Tunze products are well worth it... If you are willing to spend the money then Tunze will not let you down.. If not then Jebao PP series are very "cost effective" and that series has a decent track record so far.. But its not a Tunze..

There is also Ecotech MP powerheads..and maxspect gyres too..

mcgyvr · 05/12/2017, 05:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron Reefman

I'm currently looking at the CoralBox wavemakers sold by Reef Breeders. I intend to buy 2 systems for my tanks but I'm waiting until they also get in a new led light strip to go with my Photon V2 fixture. The CoralBox appears to be made in Germany, but I'm not sure. They are very reasonably priced though. And Current also has some nice new wavemakers as well. I know they make crap led fixtures, but their new wavemakers and return pumps appear to be much better quality.

I'd bet CoralBox is Jebao/Jecod or VERY closely related...
I bet they put a sign over one of the doors in the Jebao factory that says "Germany"...

"Designed in Germany".... Made in the room next door in China..

Tubeworms · 05/16/2017, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcgyvr

Yes there are literally thousands of us using controllable powerheads..

Tunze products are well worth it... If you are willing to spend the money then Tunze will not let you down.. If not then Jebao PP series are very "cost effective" and that series has a decent track record so far.. But its not a Tunze..

There is also Ecotech MP powerheads..and maxspect gyres too..

Yep, im going with tunze I think. Now i have to figure how im going to remove heat from the air in the house from the mh without taxing the ac

slief · 05/16/2017, 08:41 PM

I love my Tunze's. NOTHING will outlast them or take more abuse than the Tunze's. Nothing. I have 6 of them between 3 tanks and have been beating the hell out of them for years. On/off every fraction of a second 24/7 for years. I only clean them every couple years if that. They end up looking like coraline rocks when I finally get around to cleaning them and despite being coated in up to an inch thick worth of coraline, they still produce great flow and never skip a beat. If you want a long lasting damn near bullet proof wave making powerhead, you cannot beat Tunze's.

tom obrecht · 05/17/2017, 05:02 AM

Tunze are rock solid! Used them for years and not once did I have a failure. Currently I also use gyres and like them as well.

Ron Reefman · 05/17/2017, 06:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcgyvr

I'd bet CoralBox is Jebao/Jecod or VERY closely related...
I bet they put a sign over one of the doors in the Jebao factory that says "Germany"...

"Designed in Germany".... Made in the room next door in China..

You're probably right. They say "made in collaboration with German engineers", now there is some real marketing spin!

Pelagic_e36 · 05/17/2017, 06:46 PM

I've used the cheap chinese wavemakers for years, no problems, but no dynamic controls or features either. Just point and shoot.

psyrob · 05/17/2017, 10:38 PM

I'd watch out on the Hydor Evolution wave maker pumps, they have a design flaw in that the rubber stopper the keeps the prop spinning the right way breaks pretty quickly. Learned that the hard way. I use the Jebao's had a first generation, lasted two years, but two later ones that are still going strong.

jda · 05/18/2017, 08:38 AM

My 6100 Tunze taken out for its 48-60 month cleaning earlier this year. Still running for more than a decade

Jebao is a patent/IP stealing Chinese company. Their business model is to steal other people's design and then lie about it by staying that they ship from US/EU warehouses and with print on their boxes. If you are the kind of person who cares about US/EU patents and innovation, then any of their products are not for you. If you don't care, then at least you know. There are plenty of other Chinese companies who do not do this that you can consider, like Hydor or MaxSpec. If you want a pump that is similarly priced, yet is not from a company of thieves, then look at AquaMedic EcoDrift pumps.

Tubeworms · 05/18/2017, 05:01 PM

Yeah china steals everything that's for sure. Several years ago i had a company aproach me th make avet knock offs for 75$ each. They would put whatever name I wanted on them and let me design the packaging. They had a minimum order of 1000 units. I got them to send me a sample to check out. First wahoo burned out the drag. Took it apart a week later and all the bearings were rusted lol. Ive since seen the exact same reel marketed under some big named company for 250$. Things like this just blow my mind.

slief · 05/18/2017, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tubeworms

Yeah china steals everything that's for sure. Several years ago i had a company aproach me th make avet knock offs for 75$ each. They would put whatever name I wanted on them and let me design the packaging. They had a minimum order of 1000 units. I got them to send me a sample to check out. First wahoo burned out the drag. Took it apart a week later and all the bearings were rusted lol. Ive since seen the exact same reel marketed under some big named company for 250$. Things like this just blow my mind.

As a die hard Avet user (I have around 10 in different sizes) and salt water fisherman and given Avets down the street from my office, I can relate to your frustration. Cheap knock offs are usually just that. You can't really get a better reel for the price of an Avet and cutting costs will certainly sacrafice quality which is the case with most quality well engineered things these days.

05/11/2017, 06:12 PM	#1
Tubeworms Registered Member Join Date: May 2017 Posts: 15	Anyone using a wave maker? Thinking about getting a tunze controllable but see much cheaper options. Any thoughts? Brad

05/12/2017, 05:12 AM	#3
Ron Reefman Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Cape Coral, FL Posts: 10,431	You know the old saying, you get what you pay for? Well that applies. I don't like spending $450 for an MP40 wavemaker, or even what Tunze and Koralia charge. So I've been using Jebao wavemakers. Their first gen was pretty crappy, but each new generation got better and better (they must be at about the 4th or 5th gen now). Today I would say they are pretty good units for the price. But don't expect manufacturer support. If the seller doesn't offer a warranty, there isn't one. I'm currently looking at the CoralBox wavemakers sold by Reef Breeders. I intend to buy 2 systems for my tanks but I'm waiting until they also get in a new led light strip to go with my Photon V2 fixture. The CoralBox appears to be made in Germany, but I'm not sure. They are very reasonably priced though. And Current also has some nice new wavemakers as well. I know they make crap led fixtures, but their new wavemakers and return pumps appear to be much better quality. __________________ The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it. (Neil deGrasse Tyson) Visit my build thread http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2593017

05/12/2017, 05:13 AM	#4
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	Yes there are literally thousands of us using controllable powerheads.. Tunze products are well worth it... If you are willing to spend the money then Tunze will not let you down.. If not then Jebao PP series are very "cost effective" and that series has a decent track record so far.. But its not a Tunze.. There is also Ecotech MP powerheads..and maxspect gyres too.. __________________ Who me?

05/16/2017, 08:41 PM	#7
slief RC Sponsor Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 14,173	I love my Tunze's. NOTHING will outlast them or take more abuse than the Tunze's. Nothing. I have 6 of them between 3 tanks and have been beating the hell out of them for years. On/off every fraction of a second 24/7 for years. I only clean them every couple years if that. They end up looking like coraline rocks when I finally get around to cleaning them and despite being coated in up to an inch thick worth of coraline, they still produce great flow and never skip a beat. If you want a long lasting damn near bullet proof wave making powerhead, you cannot beat Tunze's. __________________ Director Customer Support Royal Exclusiv USA For All Royal Exclusiv & Bubble King questions please refer to our Sponsor forum: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/fo...play.php?f=745 Current Tank Info: 480G display mixed reef, 90G sump, 90G refugium, 60G display refugium. Check out my build thread: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1783476

05/17/2017, 05:02 AM	#8
tom obrecht Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: WI Posts: 3,014	Tunze are rock solid! Used them for years and not once did I have a failure. Currently I also use gyres and like them as well. __________________ Reef keeping is where Murphy's Law and your bank account collide!! TOTM May 2006

05/11/2017, 09:01 PM	#2
Shelbytwp123 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Posts: 45	Hydra Koralia is what I have. 2x 950 gph in DT and nano Koralia 250 gph in refuge. Not as small as expensive version but definitely fo the job Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk

05/17/2017, 06:46 PM	#10
Pelagic_e36 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Orange County, Ca Posts: 115	I've used the cheap chinese wavemakers for years, no problems, but no dynamic controls or features either. Just point and shoot. __________________ Current Tank Info: 55 Gallon mixed reef, Eshopps HOB skimmer, HOB overflow, DIY sump, Current USA Orbit Marine IC LED. Nothing good comes easy. Current Tank Info: 55 Gallon mixed reef, Eshopps Overflow, Diy Sump

05/17/2017, 10:38 PM	#11
psyrob Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Burbank, CA Posts: 508	I'd watch out on the Hydor Evolution wave maker pumps, they have a design flaw in that the rubber stopper the keeps the prop spinning the right way breaks pretty quickly. Learned that the hard way. I use the Jebao's had a first generation, lasted two years, but two later ones that are still going strong. __________________ We have engaged the Borg.... Current Tank Info: 60 gallon mixed reef, 4X54 T5s, 10 gallon frag tank, Reefbreeders PAR38 led bulb, Euroreef Skimmer, wp25 pump ReefAngel controller

05/18/2017, 08:38 AM	#12
jda Dogmatic Dinosaur Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 6,256	My 6100 Tunze taken out for its 48-60 month cleaning earlier this year. Still running for more than a decade Jebao is a patent/IP stealing Chinese company. Their business model is to steal other people's design and then lie about it by staying that they ship from US/EU warehouses and with print on their boxes. If you are the kind of person who cares about US/EU patents and innovation, then any of their products are not for you. If you don't care, then at least you know. There are plenty of other Chinese companies who do not do this that you can consider, like Hydor or MaxSpec. If you want a pump that is similarly priced, yet is not from a company of thieves, then look at AquaMedic EcoDrift pumps.

05/18/2017, 05:01 PM	#13
Tubeworms Registered Member Join Date: May 2017 Posts: 15	Yeah china steals everything that's for sure. Several years ago i had a company aproach me th make avet knock offs for 75$ each. They would put whatever name I wanted on them and let me design the packaging. They had a minimum order of 1000 units. I got them to send me a sample to check out. First wahoo burned out the drag. Took it apart a week later and all the bearings were rusted lol. Ive since seen the exact same reel marketed under some big named company for 250$. Things like this just blow my mind.