wave2k Vs wavebox

[three90s&125sump]

Tank is 225 LPS dominated BB (so far).

I like the idea of a wavebox/wave2k thing-a-ma-jig. I don't know about the giant box(s) in my tank though. I think the wavebox (6212) is a better choice but I think it is cost prohibitive at 500 bucks a pop. I would need at least 2 in my tank plus suplemental powerheads. The wavebox's dementions are about 4.5 inches square and 12 inches tall. I can't find the power consumption on the 6212 but the nano one is about 10 watts, I like that a lot. The wave box actually has some science behind it, its controllable, syncable, has a feeding mode and night time mode. I can do the coast to coast over flow with the wave box. I would however take into concideration the water level in the tank when designing my over flow by lowering it about 3 inches in the tank. With that in mind they would really not take up as much space as corner over flows would.

So to recap the wavebox:
Pros: versatility, coolness, funtionality, coolness, long term cost, coolness, its a tunze, coolness, C2C friendly, coolness, side to side motion, oh (did I mention) coolness.

Cons: size and cost

When I started this thread I was going to ask what I should use IF I decide to go with one of these thingers, but, the more I typed the more it just made sense for me to go with the tunze over the wave2k. I'm just going to hit the pros and cons of the wave2k jobber.

Pros: cost

Cons: its cheap, expensive to run (120 watts each), I need 3, seen lots of bad reveiws, front to back motion, size, not controlable, no syncing, no night cycle, not a reputable company, not C2C friendly, bulky motor sticking out of the tank, I guess I'm done with that.

So I guess ill just ask people what they think of the idea of running 2 6212s in a 6 foot 225 gallon tank.

Is 2-6212s going to be enough? Too much? Should I go with 2-6206s?

What else should I run?


Hmmm, this post did not go as I had planed. :slap:

[Neuticle]

I've seen awesome wave motion with a decent controller powering 4 eco modded MJ1200's. I will never lust for a $500 wavebox again.

[Salty O'Shen]

i know that this wasn't either of the two you're considering, so i'm wondering why you aren't looking at the VorTech wave maker....i'm totally amazed by them so i'm wondering if i'm missing something, sorry if i'm hijacking...

[three90s&125sump]

Do the vortechs fall in the same catagory as the wavebox?

I would think that the vortech falls under the same catagory as a tunze 6105. Which to me is a mass flow powerhead. Maybe I'm missing something.

[YLChik]

Jason

Hoping to learn a little from you
does the tunze wave box need anything other than the wave box to run? or do you just plug it in like a power head and it does it's thing?

[ckusnierek]

Originally Posted by three90s&125sump

Do the vortechs fall in the same catagory as the wavebox?

I would think that the vortech falls under the same catagory as a tunze 6105. Which to me is a mass flow powerhead. Maybe I'm missing something.

Yes you can get a wave from a vortech:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKr3Z1gUIro

And you would not need 2 Tunzes in a 225. My brother ha2 one in a 220 and gets a nice wave

[benny z]

you do not need two waveboxes for your size tank.

also - center overflow is recommended for ideal wave size. c2c will work, but not ideal.

also keep in mind that the wavebox needs a clear path to fire down the full length of the tank.

i'm attaching a copy of the flow design i had orignally planned out...overhead view here - the wavebox is at the back of the tank hidden in the corner - overflow was designed to allow the wavebox to fire down the back side of the tank...there is 5" of space behind the overflow and rock structures for this to happen.



i ended up placing both vortechs up front, rather than one in front and one in back per the diagram. i also did not end up needing the smaller helper pumps that are pictured. ...at least, for the time being.

you are right that the wavebox is big and ugly, but with some advanced planning it can be completely hidden so that it is unobtrusive.

cheers,
ben

[benny z]

one more thing...

please keep in mind that any wave action will reduce the life of a standard glass tank by about 15%. eurobracing is highly recommended.

[three90s&125sump]

I can't imagine that the wave action would be that detrimental to a tank. The tank I have is 11 years old. When I removed the veiwing panel it was very difficult to break the seal on it. I ended up having to cut the silly cone out.

[three90s&125sump]

How about two nanos?

[benny z]

i tested a tunze nano on a 125 and it made no wave at all. the nano is good for a 4' length tank, max.

roger at tunze is the source of the 15% life shortening metric - you may want to speak with him if your tank is of questionable age. i would not personally use a wavebox on any used standard glass tank. you've got the weight of the entire water volume sloshing around in a glass box - the magnitude of the force pressing on the seams is incredibly intensified compared to traditional flow.

[three90s&125sump]

Originally Posted by YLChik

Jason

Hoping to learn a little from you
does the tunze wave box need anything other than the wave box to run? or do you just plug it in like a power head and it does it's thing?

Pretty much. You have to tune it with the controller that comes with it but other than that...

[three90s&125sump]

Originally Posted by benny z

roger at tunze is the source of the 15% life shortening metric - you may want to speak with him.

Can you get me his number?

[benny z]

512-833-7546

cheers!
- ben

[ckusnierek]

My brother also called Roger about the stress on the tank. I guess there is a disclaimer on the box or somthing. Roger said that was it really there for europe were rimless tank are more popular and euro bracing is not as strong.