Lets Talk Current and Waves

wildeone · 07-12-2006, 11:17 PM

I was wondering what everyones opinions were on current and wave generators. I have viewed some great video of the Tunze Wavebox and I think it is great to watch, but is it truly beneficial? http://www.greatsagehabibi.com/repository/TunzeBox.mpg

I am currently turning powerheads on and off at random intervals to create different flow bursts, how beneficial is that?

Also I have taken a lok at the Wavy Sea unit and I like the idea of that as well. http://wavysea.com/wavysea_trailer.wmv

What does everyone do if anything to hadle currents in there tanks and what do you think of your setups?

**wwest** · 07-12-2006, 11:22 PM

Duane, i have a question about the tunze if you dont mind. that video is that on high or do you want that big of waves?

fat walrus · 07-12-2006, 11:37 PM

wildeone, with the tunze wave boxes, you a tank 5 foot or more for it to be effective.

pham411 · 07-12-2006, 11:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wildeone

I am currently turning powerheads on and off at random intervals to create different flow bursts, how beneficial is that?

i do the same thing here, im looking to invest in tuze streams but they are kinda pricy, i wanted to go with seios but they are not recomended with wavemakers. does ne1 with seios run their pumps 24/7 or on wavemakers? how do you like it.

wildeone · 07-12-2006, 11:51 PM

I actually have 2 Seios and 2 powerheads. I was running bothe seio 110's at the same time and injecting random powerheads. Now I am running just one Seio because I am experimenting with stuff.

What I am ruinning into is I have debris kicked up (which is good) but I also have some sand movement. I haven't quite nailed down how much is too much. If they were all running and the seio 1100's were not adjusted down I would have 3600GPH not including my return pump in a 65 gallon tank (55x).

As it stands I have between about 700 and 2100 GPH depending on the randomization of the powerheads. About 32X what is everyone elses turnover?

***Rob*** · 07-13-2006, 01:13 AM

i have seen the wave box in action on a custom tank thought it was 4', but maybe it was 5'

it was mazing, it was the only thing in there moving water, and you could see EVERYTHING in the tank waving back and forth.. it looked great..

still cant justify the price, but it did look good

NaClFinatic · 07-13-2006, 12:43 PM

I like this solution... simple and economical. But I'm not crazy about the extra plumbing and it would be cleaner with some drilling also.

http://www.melevsreef.com/closedloop.html

Though I have seen plenty of question of quality of the SCWD.
Theres a video link for it also on the page.

My current plan is something like what Wilde is doing, using a couple Seio or Tunze stream and a random or moving powerhead to get some variation. I was looking at a powersweep but would it be any signifigance against a Tunze output?

JayBeDriften · 07-13-2006, 02:13 PM

I personally like the wavy sea model. I just can't get used to the top of the water rocking back and fourth.

fat walrus · 07-13-2006, 06:38 PM

you can check out skippyreef's thread, he has a tunze wavebox running. he has a video.

veriann · 07-14-2006, 06:50 AM

i think between these i would chose waveysea

NaClFinatic · 07-14-2006, 12:24 PM

I finally go to watch the wavysea video (I had seen the tunze before). Yes I like that also! How about sea swirl? Basically the same thing but cheaper. It may be lower flow though. I saw the wavysea plus rated over 3000gph, but what is the regular wavysea rated? The largest sea swirl is rated 1150gph. i may try that off my return to get some motion.
http://www.sea-swirl.com/

fat walrus · 07-14-2006, 07:47 PM

sea swirl has a questionable reputation regarding longevity.

TUlkas71 · 08-17-2006, 02:41 PM

I would need a canopy or something to hide the water line.
Looking at that thing slosh back and forth long enough would make me loose my lunch!

NaClFinatic · 08-17-2006, 03:21 PM

My plan of day (for 90gal) is two tunze stream 1650gph (I think) on alternating 15min periods. Plus the return ~500+gph. That alone is over 20x volume but I think I need a little more for some variation. Maybe a small Seio or somehting that could be directed in the rear of the tank to avoid any dead spots. Or maybe a cheap zoomed powersweep in the corner next to the overflow. Its less than 300gph but does sweep the stream back and forth and woudl probably help avoid a dead spot there.

Any input is appreciated. Are the tunzes too much from a single source for a 90g? Would this create a good environment with enough variation?

Reefbaby · 08-18-2006, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wildeone

I am currently turning powerheads on and off at random intervals to create different flow bursts, how beneficial is that?

Wildeone - I DO think that the different flows are very beneficial to the system. The corals and the fish love it and it also helps to get up more debris and to help keep it in suspension for filtering out.

I was going to go with the Wavebox, but think I'll wait until next year til I've got a bit more money saved. For now, I've ordered the Turbelle® stream Kit TS24. It offers wave simulation, foodtimer, operation in night mode sequential pump circuit and tide simulation.

I also will be doing a closed-loop system as well and will have the returns "returning" at the bottom of the tank in order to get more flow towards the bottom half. I guess the Tunze Streams (rather than the Turbelle Electronic) are also better at getting more flow to the bottom half of the tank.

Needless to say, I still think the wavebox is cool and it's definitely in the plans for next year's budget!

pham411 · 08-18-2006, 07:27 PM

i gave up on the tunzes and bought a seio 1500. Wow, that mutha is huge, even in my75. i love the power head, this guy can really move water.