creating a wave? novelty or important?

[Calgarynewtankguy]

I am looking at putting some higher end pumps in my DT (48x24x24) i see all kinds of posts about creating a wave. is this something that is beneficial to the inhabitants or just a fad? I am thinking of putting a couple of controllable tunze pumps just not sure how to set up how they function.

still in the research stage

[Leah]

Fad probably....but I am a believer and love my wave.

[xenon]

Having controllable pump creating random flow patterns does nothing to create a wave.

You would need a wavebox to do what you are asking and its not a fad at all. It adds 30% more flow to your tank without blasting polyps closed.

I use a mix of Vortech powerheads with Tunze waveboxes with great success.

[fencer]

Waves+++

[Aquattro]

I run a wave without a wavebox, just two controllable tunzes and my controller. I find it gets water moving in areas that might otherwise have dead zones.

[kien]

It is not a fad, nor is it required :-)

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by kien

It is not a fad, nor is it required :-)

Sums it up pretty good

[xenon]

Originally Posted by Aquattro

I run a wave without a wavebox, just two controllable tunzes and my controller. I find it gets water moving in areas that might otherwise have dead zones.

There seems to be different definitions of a "wave" in an aquarium.

Post a video of your wave. Even two Vortech powerheads in anti-sync mode can produce a wave in the aquarium but its violent.

A Tunze wavebox creates a massive wave in a tank but does it effortlessly with a very small pump in a box.

You just cant compare the two. I've tried both and Tunze wavebox kills!

[Delphinus]

I like the wave effect myself, it does create a nice back and forth whooshing effect that is neat to watch especially with tentacly things like anemones or softies, and seems to promote good polyp extension overall.

But the box takes a fair chunk-o-space in the tank.

Seen the waves produced by Vortechs and it's impressive that they can do that without the aid of a box to displace water in and out of (like how the Tunzes do it). Not sure but I think you need more than one though, to pull it off correctly.

[reefermadness]

I find the polyp extension is better with a wavebox......plus I feel like I need less powerheads. Personally I would not run a tank with out one now that I have had it.