Wave maker for 32g?

duberii · Jan 23, 2020

Hello, I’ve always loved the look of a wave maker but I’m not sure how to even approach looking for a good one. How many gallons per hour should it have? I have a mixed reef with LPS and softies with 2 clowns and a scooter blenny. I’m also not exactly looking for programmability or anything special like that, since I’m looking for a cheaper pump. does anybody have any recommendations?

LegendaryCG · Jan 23, 2020

1 or 2 of the 240s would probably be just fine. This is a no frills constant speed pump. Not great, but not bad for the price.

duberii · Jan 23, 2020

LegendaryCG said:
1 or 2 of the 240s would probably be just fine. This is a no frills constant speed pump. Not great, but not bad for the price.

How would I set up the wave part? Is there a separate timer I would have to get? I already have a decent power head so is there any possibility I can set that up on a timer?

LegendaryCG · Jan 23, 2020

Yeah you can just hook it up to a timed outlet. I like the cheap Wifi ones that you can program from an iphone.

jda · Jan 23, 2020

The smaller Tunze models are not expensive. They are reliable.

duberii · Jan 23, 2020

LegendaryCG said:
Yeah you can just hook it up to a timed outlet. I like the cheap Wifi ones that you can program from an iphone.

How long of an interval should I make sure the plug can handle? Aka how long do you recommend wave pulses to be, and how long between them? I know this is kind of unrelated but I’m curious.

jda · Jan 23, 2020

Those are not made to start/stop a bunch. They more that you do it, the more that you will shorten their life.

duberii · Jan 23, 2020

jda said:
Those are not made to start/stop a bunch. They more that you do it, the more that you will shorten their life.

So you think I should go for one designed for being a wave pump?

duberii · Jan 23, 2020

jda said:
The smaller Tunze models are not expensive. They are reliable.

Do you have a link? All the ones I’m seeing are $100+

LegendaryCG · Jan 23, 2020

The manuals will usually tell you. In this case the 240 is recommended for a 30 second on/off.

LegendaryCG · Jan 23, 2020

jda said:
Those are not made to start/stop a bunch. They more that you do it, the more that you will shorten their life.

They are actually as long as you follow the manual.

Kellie in CA · Jan 23, 2020

Aqamai KPS

duberii · Jan 23, 2020

LegendaryCG said:
1 or 2 of the 240s would probably be just fine. This is a no frills constant speed pump. Not great, but not bad for the price.

Turns out this is the pump I already have- just ordered a timer for it

minus9 · Jan 23, 2020

Tunze all the way! The 6040 is an amazing little pump and it's so versatile for it's size. It's more money, but well worth it. Also, you may be able to find one used? There's the 6020, but it's not controllable.

SDK · Jan 23, 2020

If the Tunze is out of your budget range, the Jebao wavemakers are a good choice for a smaller tank.

minus9 · Jan 23, 2020

SDK said:
If the Tunze is out of your budget range, the Jebao wavemakers are a good choice for a smaller tank.

They're a good cheap choice, but be prepared to keep them clean and have a maintenance routine in place. I would say every two weeks or their performance goes way down.

SDK · Jan 23, 2020

minus9 said:
They're a good cheap choice, but be prepared to keep them clean and have a maintenance routine in place. I would say every two weeks or their performance goes way down.

I picked up a used one in a deal and "temporarily" put it in a frag tank. Thing is working fine a year later with only one cleaning at the six month mark. It's still in there because I had no reason to want to pull it out...