Do I have to have a wave maker

[trido]

On my 30 gallon tank? It is a mix of zoas, mushrooms, leathers and a few LPS. I have a CL that provides 50x + turnover that breathes so I dont have too much turbulance in any one place.


Just wanting some thoughts.

 

[Anonymous]

A wave maker is not needed. They are fun though!

 

[Anonymous]

Certainly not necessary, but it can't hurt! If you want to eventually start doing SPS corals you'd probably want to consider one (or some other variable flow creating device).

 

[Anonymous]

You don't need a wavemaker.

They are nice in that they give you a nice ocscillating flow rather than a stead one. However with some creative placing of powerheads you can get some nice non-linear flow dynamics going on. Also wavemakers are very powerhead specific, the simple oscillate on/off ones don't work very well with high flow/low energy pumps (Seio/Tunze) as they have their own controllers to do it.

 

[trido]

Thanks all. I have an OM SS on my SPS 120 already. I doubt this tank will every see much for SPS as my wife really seems to have a liking for leathers. I just removed four powerheads and used an old mag18 for a CL with six ports to clean things up a bit. I may put a "SWCD on crack" http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.p ... =scwd&st=0 in the system in the near future (when I get bored again). I was just wondering how absolutely critical this aspect of the reef really is.

Now I will sleep better knowing I dont have to have this done in the next few days.

 

[Anonymous]

If I could take a decent movie (ie small size) with my camera of my softy tank I would, in a 120g tall tank I have 1 seio 1100, 1 seio 620, and my return from the sump (Quiet One 3000) , and the polyps on one particular leather are swaying back and forth in that whole little house on the prarie wheat field thing ... so yeah Wavemakers are not required to get a nice flow patterns

 

[iseeweed]

I am using this duel outlet w/a mag700 on my 37g. I have one outlet directly on my sps corals, and the other outlet aimed toward the opposing side of the glass(if that makes any sense). There seems to be plenty of circulation and the leather in the corner is growing like crazy! It sways all over the place!

 

[bleedingthought]

Man, 50X turnover in a softy tank!?! Why?

 

[trido]

Man, 50X turnover in a softy tank!?! Why?

This is my leftover tank. That was the size of pump I had laying around. It is split into six 1/2" pvc nozzels. You cant even tell it has that much flow. Now if I put each half on a wavemaker............

 

[bleedingthought]

Still a LOT of flow in a small tank, though. What do your "pvc nozzles" look like? Just a 1/2" elbow? Or more ellaborate?

 

[bleedingthought]

And how's that mag 18 working out externally this time around? Still noisy? Any leaks? Any experience with mag 24s externally?

 

[trido]

The 1/2 PVC nozzels are 45s and one 90 depending on aquascaping and coral placement. At first I was using a mag 12 but it leaked out the front seal and of course I broke the impeller shaft while I was trying to get the face plate off the pump. I am glad I'm using the mag 18. It is under the cabinet, it is choked back a tiny bit on the output, and is wrapped in bath towels to mask the very slight chatter is has.
This tank just went through a big overhaul already in its short life. I built a DIY downdraft skimmer (made with my old KALK reactor :lol: ) with two airstones. I couldnt stand the noise my venturi mad on my CPR bakpak was making. I also didnt like the four powerheads in such a small tank. The biggest change on this tank was the skimmer. My wife is much happier and since this is her tank, that is all that matters

After I build a quick cheap hood to hide the lighting and plumbing I will post pics.

Oh, as far as the mag 24. I have one in the cupboard. As far as IM concerned, it is only good for a pond pump in the front yard. It is extremely loud.