newbie wavemaker on a budget

Hey everyone,

I had a question as to a decent wavemaker system that doesn't cost an arm and a leg. I was thinking of using Wave Makers: Maxi-Jet Natural Wavemaker System for Reef Aquariums or some sort of similar pump timer with 2 or 3 powerheads in my 55gal reef tank, which I am still in the process of establishing.

Does anyone know any good powerheads that can handle this type of turning on/off, or should I just go with the really cheap aquatrader.com ones that are like $10, so that when they burn out they're no big loss?(Assuming they don't burn out insanely fast.)

Has anybody used the powerheads from aquatraders, and if so how do they work? Trust me I'd love to get one of those really nice wavemakers that cost a ton of money that everyone loves, but I also don't want to have to wait a whole 'nother year to be able to afford one.(Starving college student here people) I was thinking of trying a SQWD, but the general consensus is that they are almost useless after 3 or so months, and the fact that they only have a 90 day warranty isn't helping.

Thanks ahead for anyone's input.

 

Maxi Jet are built to last under Wave timers. I ran a Red Sea Wavemaker Pro with 4 Maxi jets for about 3 year with out replacing a single one

Also the Seio makes a controller for their powerheads Seio Electronic Controller

There are also a ton of timer power bars that work with most powerheads but I would stick to Maxi jet IMO

J

 

Thank you Jason.

 

I ran one of those Wave makers in my 55 gal with 3 Maxi-Jet 1200 and had no problems with it. As a matter of fact I sold it to a freind of mine when I started my 265 and he is still running them today.

 

They're still running strong!

 

I ran the red sea unit with Maxi's for several yrs and it still alive if needed but napping now..

 

SCWD's are great devices. Almost failsafe if cleaned every few months. Mine has run flawlessly for over 4 years. I would guess that most of the bad rep they have, come from people that have extremely foul tanks, never clean them or just post "hearsay."

Another problem (am just guessing) is that people try to use them with either too small, or too large a pump. I run mine with a Dolphin 1200, which is also very reliable.

Very economical, provides great flow, and if only lasted year or so, would be way worth it.

I highly recommend one.

 

Thanks for all the advice everyone, I really appreciate it. I guess I need to have a heart to heart with me, myself, and I about whether I want a SQWD or the maxi jet system. Right now I'm leaning towards the maxi-jet but who knows, maybe down the way I'll add on a SQWD.

 

If you put 3 more PH's in the tank make sure you have a ground probe to add at the same time. When I added them to my 55gal I had stray voltage in the tanks with that many pumps running. They are under $20 so it doesn't hurt the wallet.

 

Thanks for the suggestion Otty. I think the timer I'm looking at getting is grounded, but I'll double check to make sure.

By the way does anyone know if there is a water flow rule of how much per gallon or anything. I want to get three maxi's on top of my main pump, which isn't to strong (It came with the tank and I have no idea what it is, just that it is a powerhead instead of an actual pump). Any idea on what type of model to get? Thanks.