Wavemakers: Gimmick or Beneficial?

I was wondering if any of you SPS growers have had any experience with wavemakers? If so, have you seen any benefit to using them? Did the health, coloration or growth rates of your SPS improve when you added a wavemaker? Or, is it possible that adding some extra powerheads to improve flow would have done the same thing?

 

IMO, wave makers are to mimic the tides as they come in and out. Luna

 

Yeah they can certainly mimic the tides or waves. Certainly would look nice to see the soft corals sway. Just wondering if they actually help. Real tides would bring in nutrients and flush out waste from the reef into the sea. In a tank everything is self-contained.

 

Yes it is. I dont know if the WM helps in their growth, unless you dose liquid food.


Luna

 

I prefer deep rock reefs in my tank. A power head has a very hard time keeping the water flowing throughout my back sections.

Also, as for it carrying it out to sea, that is true. In tanks, they will in effect keep the deitrus in suspenion longer so that it can either be removed to your skimmer or sump/refugium.

When I finally get around to making my large tank, I will definately put several in there. I will most likely have a closed loop as well for some higher flow areas.

 

the biggest drawback with power heads alone, is its to constant, always the same, always the same direction ( unless there is problem/ blockage/ snail etc)

Ive seen the wave makers in large tanks, and coral does ebb and flow and also gets a rest interval at times bewteen

constantly being pushed in 1 direction and 1 direction only does not mimic nature
having the option of pushing the coral from one side to the other and then later pushing it back sound ideal to me

I cant say whether growth rates/ life spans/ overall health etc are improved (although I like to feel they would be)

but when we try to recreate natures parameters in a captive enviroment then water flow should merit same consideration as lighting, PH, Temp and all the other levels we strive to maintain

I dont have it at present, but I do have it on my shopping list


Steve

 

Certain SPS corals look so much better if they are getting good random flow. Montipora would be the most obvious one. With just basic flow, you'll get a bowl or plate shape. With good flow you'll get multiple random layers and they are much nicer looking.

 

Thanks for the feedback all. I'll have to put one on my shopping list too.

 

i have a tunze 7095 controller with 2-6200 powerstreams and magnetic holders that are not needed anymore, you can buy them if you like. paid 1350. PM if your interested

 

Give you $50 for them