what's everyone's opinion on wavemakers?

BBN

BBN

Braves on the Warpath
Apr 3, 2003
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Marion, Illinois
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Particularly the Wavemaster wavemaker.
 
You still have the primary downside of powerheads, Laminar currents, with some additional downsides, 1. total water circulation is less as a pump is being turned off. 2. Shortens powerheads lifespan. 3. Additional noise when pump is turned on (even with softstart feature)

Ideally, you want a device that just manipulates the flow from a powerhead or pump.
 
How does a wavemake work? Just turn on PH in different intervals to make a chaotic current?

I went to the newport aquarium in cinicnate and they had a huge tank that like literally had a wavemaker in it. It was really cool/realistic looking
 
I prefer a closed loop with a SCWD and one on my return for the sump. You might want to look into that.
 
slipknottin said:
You still have the primary downside of powerheads, Laminar currents, with some additional downsides, 1. total water circulation is less as a pump is being turned off. 2. Shortens powerheads lifespan. 3. Additional noise when pump is turned on (even with softstart feature)
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IMO noise isn't that big of a deal for me...are you talking about what the fish hear/feel Slipknottin? I had thought that wavemakers were the bomb, cause they create sudo currents instead of several flows coming from constent directions. Most wavemakers I have seen are powerstrips with timers built in can be adjusted for longer or shorter run rates for the PH's See link...MaxiJet Wavemaker Also, starting and stoping is bad on most gear driven machines, but all a PH is an electric motor. No moving parts except the impellar spining on a metal axle.

Just my thoughts and IMOs
 
widdledink said:
IMO noise isn't that big of a deal for me...are you talking about what the fish hear/feel Slipknottin?
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Most powerheads have a pretty distinct clatter when they first start as well, even when with a soft-start wavemaker. I dont know of any evidence either way on how the fish feel/react to the noise, but I dont like it, and its far louder underwater.

I had thought that wavemakers were the bomb, cause they create sudo currents instead of several flows coming from constent directions.
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Shutting a pump on and off constantly does not change the type of flow coming from the pump. It just lowers the total water volume moving through the tank.

Also, starting and stoping is bad on most gear driven machines, but all a PH is an electric motor. No moving parts except the impellar spining on a metal axle.
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Its very bad on magnetic pumps as well.
 
check out this thread

Civicman, check out this thread that Nanoman and Mogrunda have been talking about Switching Current Water Director=SCWD.
Link

I still like power heads but Slipknottin has a point. there is that initial "snap-crackle-pop" when a PH starts up.

Also, just found this link on a closed loop using a SCWD very good!!!
SCWD Build
 
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