Aquasurf, Wave of the future?

[kimoyo]

I posted a thread here about some interesting research that found oscillating waves are the best form of flow for corals. I happened to see this paper a few weeks ago and then I started looking for ways to make wave in a smaller tank. My tank is 3' long and although a tunze wavebox might work in there, it will definitely take up a lot of space. The issue is that the pulsing wouldn't be fast enough. Then I happened to see the aquasurf which is a module that neptune systems just released this past month. Basically it allows you to pulse tunzes (someone already diy to a vortech) at 0.1 sec. I know the aquasurf isn't getting a lot of mention but it got me so much more excited then when the vortech's were coming out last year. It really surprises me that there hasn't been a thread about it yet when a lot of the members here have tanks less than 4' which is the smallest recommend length for the wavebox. Neptune estimates that the aquasurf can make a wave in as little as 1' of length.

I also understand that most people have reefkeepers and vortechs but you guys should really take a look at this.

 

[Deanos]

I'm very interested in this product, but don't have Tunzes :sad2:

 

[Pseudo]

Pecan2phat has already picked it up. Ask him what he thinks about it.

Kasei

 

[steveo32]

I'm with dean but on a lager scale. I don't have any Tunze's either.

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

Looks great especially if your'e starting from scratch.

 

[cali_reef]

I played with the demo unit at MACNA (also picked up pecan's Aquasurf), it rocks.. The demo tank (I think it was a 40g) and its steel frame stand was literally rocking with the high wave mode on..

It can make huge waves with just about any size tank, but most tanks' overflow box can't handle the draining of the tank during wave crests, including two of my tanks..

 

[pecan2phat]

Still in the box guys

Was waiting to install onto the 180g which Pierce helped me move into place on Sunday :hug:

Need a weekend or two before I can really comment

 

[Wes]

would be awesome if it was a stand alone device that didn't require aquacontroller

 

[pecan2phat]

would be awesome if it was a stand alone device that didn't require aquacontroller

Stand alone is an understatement :arg:

You need the Aqua Surf ~ $175
An AC controller ~ $150 to $650
Tediously go update your firmware to work with the Aqua Surf :smash:
2 or more controllable Tunze Streams ~ $203 x 2 on up

 

[reefman]

another words BIG $$$ :biggrin:

 

[pecan2phat]

So I finally got to hook up the Aqua Surf last night. a couple of hiccups due to me not being very efficient in flashing firmware to the AC Jr to couple the Aqua Surf together.

All Aqua Controllers need the latest firmware (3.30) for the Aqua Surf to work.

Just a cursory initial observation:
I needed an additional multi-controller for the addition of a pair of streams to a recent tank. Since I had a new AC JR, I went with the Aqua Surf.

What the Aqua Surf permits vs the multi-controller is that you can have it pulse a Tunze Stream less then 1 second. This is what produces the wave. Also what's different is that you can add syntax statements that make the Aqua Surf more programable then a multi-controller.

 

[ellebelle]

Please forgive my ignorance. I thought that you could already pulse ANY powerhead with any aqua controller (RK2 or AC). I just just plug two maxijets into a DC8 and have them turn on and off in alternating cycles. What makes this different?

 

[meschaefer]

I am guessing, but if I remember correctly you can only program an aquacontroler down to one minute intervals, this allows you to pulse the the Tunze for less than 1 second.

 

[cali_reef]

Please forgive my ignorance. I thought that you could already pulse ANY powerhead with any aqua controller (RK2 or AC). I just just plug two maxijets into a DC8 and have them turn on and off in alternating cycles. What makes this different?

You can turn any pump on and off with most of the controllers, like Matt posted, it is with a minimum of 1 minuet interval. However, most(if not all) AC powered pumps and powerheads are not designed to be switched off and on that often, they have a 50% chance of it starting the rotation in reverse when you turn it back on due to the polarity and relation of the magnet when the pump was stopped. Many pumps have mechanical or hydromechanical means to bounce the impeller back to normal rotation. This mechanism will wear out quickly with a 1 minuet on-off cycle. It is very difficult to very the speed on AC brushless motors, another problem with cheap powerheads in the hobby.

The two controllable power heads on the market are Tunze(not all models) and the Vortec are DC powered, these don't have the problems like AC powerheads but are more costly to make. They also need a sperate controller to very the speed and on-off timing. The Tunze 7095 controller have lots of different built in functions, you can very the speed from 30% to 100%, change the on-off duration, use a light sensor to decrease\increase the motor speed, and create random flow patterns if you have multiple Tunze streams in the tank amount few other preset control patterns. I have not had a chance to use the Vortec so I don't know how it works.

The Aqua surf takes the controllability of the Tunze Streams to the next level. It does everything the Tunze 7095 can do but at a much higher resolution, to 1 second timing increments and 1% pump speed increase vs. the Tunze 7095 uses dial knobs, you have to guess what position it really is. With this high level of accuracy, you can create 4" waves with a single Tunze 6000 stream in a 3 foot tank. Neptune(aquacontroller) had a demo at MACNA that was more impressive than the wave demo tank setup by VORTEC from the previous year.

The Aquasurf is a nice addition for people that already have an aqua controller III and few Tunzes without the 7095, I would not go run out and buy this if you already have a 7095 controller.

 

[ellebelle]

Cool, thanks Pierce.