Any wave making tips for 6' tank?

[bureau13]

OK, so I've got my WWD installed, and they're in pulse mode, antisynch. One on each end of my 240 (6 foot) tank. They're about 2/3 up on the acrylic, and there are rock formations between them, although I don't have a really densely packed reef. Also, I have a center overflow with dual returns that have fairly decent flow...they are pointed along the top of the water mostly, diagonally out towards the front corners of the tank.

I imagine the rocks and returns are both conspiring to make it harder to get any sort of wave (which I'm not really getting). Any tips on how to overcome this, or am I out of luck with only two pumps in this scenario?

Thanks,
jds

 

[EcoTech Marine]

The best advise is just to make sure that you are taking your time while tuning the wave. You need to allow at least 30 seconds after each adjustment to the potentiometer before adjusting it again. This is especially important in long tanks.

-Tim

 

[sfsuphysics]

Do they need to be mirrored of each other on sides of the tank?

I am having the same problem on my 6 foot tank (but much smaller other dimensions 18" x 18" ) I let it sit for a few minutes before readjusting, just couldn't see any noticeable wave, then I gave up and set them to random reef-crest mode with no slave/master

 

[EcoTech Marine]

sfuphysics-

It should not matter if the pumps mirror each other. On a six foot tank with two pumps we've seen waves as small as 0.5-0.75" and as large as 2". Sometimes the aquascape will affect things.

-Tim

 

[bureau13]

I haven't varied across the whole range yet, but I'm not having much luck. However...I don't think my slave is always turning on/off opposite the master. I suspect I need to reposition the driver to get better receoption from the master, I suspect its missing some of the commands.

jds

 

[phishlet]

I too am trying to create waves. What is the best setting for a 5 ft. long tank? I can get a wave going at extremely fast pulses but its so fast its really not natural looking. Any advice?

 

[EcoTech Marine]

phishlet- how many pumps on the 5' tank? The more pumps you have, naturally the better your chances are.

-Tim

 

[bureau13]

I've got about a 0.5"-1" wave going now...and with my water height being fairly high given the built-in overflow, I'm not sure I would want it much higher.

The pumps are cycling much more quickly than I expected in order to achieve this. I guess that's OK...

jds

 

[sfsuphysics]

How's your aquascaping in this tank? My tank doesn't have terribly much in the way of rock, occupying mostly the bottom & back half (quarter?) of the tank. I thought I might benefit more by putting both pumps on one side for a really heavy push, however don't think I'd like that in the long run. Not to mention when I was trying, the ramp up sound was a little louder than I would like or perhaps it's the difference in little/no sound to full sound, I prefer the reefcrest mode where any sound is more or less constant.

 

[cdbias2]

"OK, so I've got my WWD installed, "

What is a WWD?

 

[bureau13]

WWD==Wireless Wave Driver....i.e. the upgraded driver for the Vortech that allows multiple pumps to work together to act as a wavemaker.

My tank is pretty tall and relatively narrow. The aquascaping goes up about 2/3 of the total height...its not jam packed full of rock, but there's definitely not a straight shot with no obstructions.

You're definitely right about the sound, since I have mine cranked up to max in pulse mode, I can hear them wind up and down....however my tank is far from silent, so its not very obtrusive unless I'm listening for it. I don't think anyone else in my family has noticed it, so its really not bothering me.

jds

 

[phishlet]

Still trying to figure out how to get a good wave. I have two pumps; one on each end of a 5ft. long tank. I've tried various configurations so far but I think I might try moving both pumps to one end of the tank and running both on pulse mode synced.

 

[maelv]

Can a single unit be used to make a wave motion in the tank, on pulse mode?

Tank is a 6ft 220 gallon...

 

[JRaquatics]

Here is a wave on a 6ft/180gal tank with one Vortech.