any experience with a wavebox?

[faze07hd]

Im looking into possible getting a tunze 6206 wave box for my 90 gall. I was curious if anyone had any pro's/con's with these. Also, are there any "Must Have's" in order to use one of these things besides the controller that they come with?

I love the water movement that these make and a friend told me that his SPS looooved it. I guess his sps talk to him. LOL

 

[SkiFletch]

Heh, I wasn't aware you could buy anything more for them other than the box and the controller? Should be all you need

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

go for gyre!

go for gyre!

I'm sooo not into what waveboxes do.

Rapid back and forth motion in a reef aquarium = yuck.

(you asked for cons as well as pros)

 

[MarkKlier]

Gary I'm sooooo into what the wave box does Not sure I would use it in a 90 gal but for my 180 and 220 I really, really like the effect.
Welcome to come by any time and check it out.
Ooops just saw you are in Utica. So if you are ever in Rochester.
MK

 

[faze07hd]

I'm sooo not into what waveboxes do.

Rapid back and forth motion in a reef aquarium = yuck.

(you asked for cons as well as pros)

I sure did ask for cons, but is that just an opinion or is there actually reasoning behind you sooo not being into what they do?

 

[faze07hd]

Not sure I would use it in a 90 gal but for my 180 and 220 I really, really like the effect.
MK

Why wouldnt you use it on a 90???

 

[faze07hd]

and skifletch, I just didnt know if having a tall tank, that i might need like a brace or certain products other than the controller to have a wavemaker. Just inexperienced with them, thats all.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

I sure did ask for cons, but is that just an opinion or is there actually negative outcomes?

good question.

A lot of the answer to your question depends on what you think is healthy for your reef animals. Of course, everyone keeps different types of animals so what might be good for one aquarium might not be the best choice for another.

The constant back and forth motion I often see being re-created with waveboxes and Vortechs (etc.) don't do a thing for me.
It makes corals grow in a peculiar growth habit (which could be considered a negative depending on your opinion) and fish are always rocking back and forth instead of swimming into or with the current.
Of course, you can (and probably should!) use some other type of water movement method along with a wavebox and try to adjust it so things aren't always sloshing back and forth. (I don't know if that's possible in every aquarium.) Ditto with Vortechs: don't set them up to create waves... set them up to create gyre!

To be clear, I do like long surges (such as those created by dump buckets, reverse Carlson surge devices, paddle wheels etc.) that re-create long surges like you'd see on a wild reef. It's the short back and forth rocking motion that I don't find attractive nor do I believe it promotes health in many reef animals.

I realize that there are folks that find the back and forth rocking motion attractive.

 

[faze07hd]

Thanks for the clarification Gary.