Wavemaker?

[eianson]

I've got all of my primary equipment:
- 75 Gallon Tank
- 4x 65W PC Lights
- Remora Pro Skimmer (with Mag 3 pump)
- 2 Maxi-jet 1200 Powerheads
- 2 150W Ebo Jager Heaters

My livestock plan is 5-7 small-med fish, 150lbs of Aquacultered LR, Live Sand, softies & LPS corals.

I was reading Tullock's Natural Reef Aquariums and he recommends the use of wavemakers to cause chaotic flow. What do you think about this for my plan? I saw a Red Sea one in the Marine Depot catalogue for $110. My preference is to add this down the road possibly with the addition of another powerhead.

Do you think think this is something I should get up front or can I wait?

Thanks,
Eric

[Kit Walker]

IMO it is an item you can get later on. As long as your powerheads provide enough water movement to eliminate dead spots the tank will run fine. I've seen many stunning reef displays without a wavemaker. However, if you can afford when then they are very beneficial because of the random water movement produced, as opposed to constant flow and direction of a powerhead.

[mogurnda]

You can do it later, but it some of the corals like a lot of water movement without constant blasting. Of course, after the motor in my SeaSwirl died, I haven't replaced it and the corals are fine.

[ozzy]

if that tank is not up yet why not go with a closed loop system ??
also IMO, the MJ1200 x 2 is kinda low for the water turns in a 75 gallon.you want you turns to be more like 1125 gph,I would add another set of the MJ1200 and that would put ya close to home ;)
I have a wavemake on my 46 gallon with MJ1200 X 3 and MJ400 X 2(plus the mj1200 in my AquaC),but as stated you can get by with out one,just aim your PH at eachother and it will make the water chaotic.

[mattsgarage]

Originally posted by Kit Walker
IMO it is an item you can get later on. As long as your powerheads provide enough water movement to eliminate dead spots the tank will run fine. I've seen many stunning reef displays without a wavemaker. However, if you can afford when then they are very beneficial because of the random water movement produced, as opposed to constant flow and direction of a powerhead.

Second post, hopefully there is no problems with bringing posts from the dead. If so, I apologize.

I'm trying to learn about various equipment in salt water tanks, as I have a 50 gallon that is out of use. The idea is crossing my mind of trying to start up a reef tank, but I'm still learning.

I've read some about the wavemakers, and while not an item that is a necessity, it can be beneficial. Correct?

In the above quote is says due to random water movement. As I was reading about them, I came across this: http://www.melevsreef.com/video/scwd.wmv

To me the waves look a bit excessive to the point of scaring the fish. Isn't that considered bad? Also, how long do these wavemakers tend to run? It seems a bit excessive at times, or am I just not understanding it correctly?

[mogurnda]

Second post, hopefully there is no problems with bringing posts from the dead. If so, I apologize. Not a big deal, but you might get more responses with a new thread.
I've read some about the wavemakers, and while not an item that is a necessity, it can be beneficial. Correct? Absolutely. Marine life, especially corals, do better with a lot of flow. Surgy, turbulent flow. Reef fish are quite comfortable dealing with surge, it's always there.

I agree that system in the video looks excessive, but my little 20 gallon has a 500 gph pump running a wavemaker, and it could stand a little more IMO. The fish easily handle the water movement, and more flow keeps the stony corals happy and inhibits algae growth.

I'm setting up a 90 gallon system right now. I am using a 950 gph pump for the return, using a Sea Swirl (http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=SEASWIRL3%2F4&Category_Code=Wavemaking), and adding a 1100 gph closed loop going through a four-way OceansMotions (http://www.oceansmotions.com/) wavemaker. The closed loop will probably get shut off or a few hours a day, just to conserve power.

So I think random, surgy movement is good. There are several wavemaking systems, ranging from $40 SCWDs to $5000 Tunze systems, and more are coming out all the time.

[mattsgarage]

Thanks for the reply. I'll look into it.

I'm planning out a tank right now, and I continue to have questions. But I'm trying to use different forums and search previous comments before asking questions that many have already asked.

I'll make a new reply on my next set of questions.