Who makes waves in their tank?

I got a Vortech MP40W from Santa....;D. This thing has a lot of different features and is an amazing pump IMPO. I am just curious how many others have some kind of wavemakers on their tanks and can you tell a difference in the health of your corals since you have been running it. have any of you run one in the past and now dont and why? I am basically looking at pros and cons of making waves in your tank.

Thanks

 

I have no idea about the benefit to corals, but I know wavemakers are really neat looking! I've been thinking about getting one....

Santa was good to you this year!! You must have been on his Nice list. Lucky! Enjoy!!

 

Yamaharider
during 2009, I converted both my tanks from running maxijet style power heads
(directional flow that I bounced of tank wall etc) to either Sum Sum (K clones) or Seio
prop wave makers

I achieved much greater water movement, and I feel that my corals have improved as a result of this

I cant find any cons thus far
1 major pro is I have less focused flow in any 1 location which has made coral placement much easier ( with the maxijet styles there where always some areas that seemed to lack flow and other areas where you could not place corals as they where being jet blasted)

Steve

 

I agree, you must have been a good boy last yr.
I dont use wave makers but I do use 3' of LocLine spray bars with some of the spray bars facing towards the waters surface.


Luna

 

LOL....Santa had an inside scoop on what I wanted...

 

I've done quite a bit of testing with the different modes of my MP20. Here is what I have found:

Reef Crest:
This is the best mode for SPS corals. It gives the random effect that coral needs and also gives some good high flow burst to clean SPS of any waste or uneaten food.

Lagoon Mode:
About the same as reef crest.

Wave mode:
This is the best settings for softies, LPS or mixed reefs. You can still get plenty of flow to keep SPS healthy in wave mode, but it also does great for softies and LPS. Most LPS does not do well in high flow because being hammered from one side with intense flow can tear the flesh. With waves LPS is made to "dance" back and forth, but is never whipped far enough in any direction to cause damage.

After testing all modes I settled on wave mode for my mixed reef. Certain corals extend their polyps more in other modes, but if I look at the average of polyp extension for all my corals, they definitely like the waves most.

 

You didn't offer my answer.... I don't cause I'm too afraid. I know wave makers say it's no problem, but you can't convince me you are not stressing the tank. I'm too afraid just for my stand. I heard some tank manufacturers were going to void warantees with wave makers. Plus even a 3" wave means you need 3" of room in your tank to do it. I only have about 1.5".

 

The Vortech directions actually tell you to double check with your tank manufacturer to be sure the tank can handle it. If my tank were glass, I don't think I would risk it either.

 

I love the vortech. Huge difference in my tank. Corals appear to like the increased flow.

Thanks for the insight. I am going to try it and see how it does.

Thanks for the help. Ive got 2 of my loclines spraying towards the surface also. I was using it for more gas exchange. I guess now after your post it could actually be doing something similar as a wave maker also.

 

i dont have one but i do believe in the saying that reefs thrive in oceans and not in streams.