to buy or not to buy, Wavemaker

[knoxtnreef]

Hello

I'm setting up a 75g RR Reef. It has a Fuge/Sump. Would it be to my benefit to purchase a Red Sea Wavemaster Pro? I plan on using a 400GPH Return Pump, and two Koralia Circulation Powerheads. Is this really worth the investment for my size tank? The idea is to make my tank as hands-off as possible when it comes to tweaking equipment. If you feel I should use the wavemaker but with a different pump/powerhead setup I'm open for suggestions.....I'm a beginner.

 

[Len]

A wavemaker would help change up the flow patterns. If you can save up a couple hundred more, the Neptune Aquacontroller Jr with DC8 is really a much better value. It is a full blown controller that will do what the Wavemaster does plus many other things (monitor/control pH, temp, all your lighting, etc.).

Another flow option is to get two Seio pumps and use it with their controller. The price is about the same as the Koralia with a wavemaker, but I am inclined to think it will provide better flow control.

 

[Len]

Actually, I just discovered the Seio's controller is more expensive It is much more flexible though and can give you infinitely variable flow strengths and patterns when used with Seio pumps.

I still say save up for the Neptune.

 

[knoxtnreef]

it's funny you mention the AquaControler JR. I want one of those too but they don't sell them on Amazon and I have gift card I could buy it out right with :-(

 

[mr_X]

if you plan to use a wavemaker with koralia pumps, make sure it's the type that powers on the pumps slowly, not "on-off-on-off". i had a red line tsunami wavemaker with 2 koralia 1200's hooked to it and they make an annoying rattle every time the pumps started.
i kept the wavemaker, but now i run the koralias constant and use mj12's for the alternating current. the mj12's make no noise, but without being modded, have considerably less flow.