DIY Wavebox Tutorial from start to finish!

(sorry for the split posts, too many images)

Now all that was needed was some weldon (I used #3 vs. xtm's #16) and some cure time. Here it is:

Wavebox20of21.jpg


Wavebox21of21.jpg



And there you have it. Another successful wave box. It's producing a beautiful wave in my 90-gallon. I wish I had a video camera to show everyone the wave, but unfortunately, I don't.

Cheers,
- Z
 
I just saw a wavebox in action for the first time at our local reefkeeper meeting this past weekend and I was amazed at the motion and just how much water it moved. Thanks for posting these instructions! I will be building mine once I can save up for a Tunze :)

Are there any other cheaper DC powerheads on the market?
 
wow zibba great job! Please post a video of it in action if you can. I'd like to see it. :thumbsup:
 
I really like the idea of using a wave box. But for it being so bulky I cant see using it with powerheads also in my little 55. Do You still need power heads, or is there enough flow throughout the entire tank with just the wave box. Whats your guys opinion?
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13039723#post13039723 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bpoore89
I really like the idea of using a wave box. But for it being so bulky I cant see using it with powerheads also in my little 55. Do You still need power heads, or is there enough flow throughout the entire tank with just the wave box. Whats your guys opinion?
Click to expand...

If you have an acrylic tank, you can mount it externally so it doesn't take up space in the tank. The wavebox is just a supplement for flow... it's not a replacement for powerheads.
 
Alright I took a video clip. I'm going to apologize first off for the quality and the creativity. The quality is very poor since it's was taken using an old digital camera. The video was given the same "theme" as xtm's with a little music in the background because I'm not creative enough to think of something else and it goes well with this thread.

Anyway, here's the box in action:

 
I think I'm going to try this for my plywood tank that's currently being built. The great part is I can add it to the outside of the tank and not even see if from inside the tank. Couple of questions.

1. My tank will measure 6' long and 4' from front to back. Do you think 1 box is enough or should I do two? Or could it be one back made twice as big with both tunzes in the same box?

2. Which Tunze would do best, 6100's or 6200's?

3. Does it matter how low down in the tank the stream is? Is it like 10" under water, or what?
 
aries70 - Thanks! The camera that I was using does the tank no justice, but in either case it's a work in progress. The entire right side bank of tunze nanostreams will be replaced with a second 6100 now that the wavebox is in place.

EnderG60 - There is no noise from my overflow box because I did the Herbie's "Ultrasilent Overflow" (search RC) using a gate valve and emergency drain to control the level of water in the overflow box. Because of this, I can raise the level high enough (with confidence that I won't have water going over the tank) so that there isn't any splashing noise. If I open up the gate valve below, which in turn lowers the water level in over flow, then - yes, there is splashing noise like a waterfall. If you can control the level of water in your overflow, then you won't have any noise issues.

masharp1126 -
1. I'd think that two wave boxes on the same side would work well in that case. You could tie them both in to this DIY controller using a Y to split the DIN-5 connection cable.

2. No experience with the 6200 for this application. You're trying to displace the water in the box and the 6100 does a fine job at that, so I don't think it's necessary to use a 6200 (much more expensive).

3. The 6100 is very close to the bottom of the wavebox. The box itself sits about 10" below the water.
 
ok I'm getting ready to order my stuff friday and get my acrylic my tank is 4' x 2' x 16", water's about 14", I plan on using a 6055 mostly due to cost. now would it be better if the box sat directly on the bottom extending to above water line ? or should the pump outlet be like in the "middle" of the water ? should I keep the box size the same with exception to hieght ? hope I made sence ;)
 
I'm getting ready to order my stuff friday and get my acrylic my tank is 4' x 2' x 16", water's about 14", I plan on using a 6055 mostly due to cost.

The 6055 might not be strong enough to displace that much water rapidly, especially on a 4-feet long x 2-feet wide tank. You might still get some wave though...


now would it be better if the box sat directly on the bottom extending to above water line ?

This would work IF you have a strong pump that can empty it in 1.5 seconds or less.


or should the pump outlet be like in the "middle" of the water ?

This will work but you will have stagnant water below the pump that is enclosed inside the box.
 
Last edited:
what I ment be middle is the bottom and pump sit middle of the water height.
the probs with the 6055 is what i figured there are some shroud mods to allow it to move more water, but I don't need or want to tank to look like the bering sea during crab season ;)
 
Zibba for this wave box how many magnets did you need. Did you have to use two magnets like the original Tunze or will it work fine with one. I plan on making my own box like yours. But i will have to buy a controller since i have not electrical exp.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13042514#post13042514 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by zibba
Alright I took a video clip. I'm going to apologize first off for the quality and the creativity. The quality is very poor since it's was taken using an old digital camera. The video was given the same "theme" as xtm's with a little music in the background because I'm not creative enough to think of something else and it goes well with this thread.

Anyway, here's the box in action:
Click to expand...

zibba, that's an awesome video! I love it!! Nice tank too. :)
 
I am in the process of buying the parts for this project. I just want some feedback on the list of items i require. I hve the following list

From top to bottom:
(C2) 10uF electrolytic cap (polarized.. but it wouldn't matter)
(IC1) 555 timer IC + socket (easier to solder)
(R1) 1KΩ resistor
(C3) .1 uF ceramic cap
(R2) 20KΩ resistor
(C1) .47uF capacitor
(P1) 500kΩ pot

Is C1 a ceramic capacitor or electrolytic. I am unsure the difference between the two. I also noticed in the photo from the first page of the thread the 1K resistor looks very different from the 20K resistor. Is there anything important i need to ask for when i go to the electronics shop.

Thanks and sorry about the dumb questions. I am very new to all of this.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13056189#post13056189 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by savethereef
Zibba for this wave box how many magnets did you need. Did you have to use two magnets like the original Tunze or will it work fine with one. I plan on making my own box like yours. But i will have to buy a controller since i have not electrical exp.
Click to expand...

I ended up using the 6200.50 magnet which is for thicker glass. My tank is a 90-gallon Oceanic so it's way overrated if I was going between just the glass. The wavebox adds another 1/4" or so, so the 6200.50 was used. I feel very comfortable with using just the 6200.50 on this set up for my size tank and thickness of glass.

As far as having no electrical experience, I was in the same boat and was very lucky to have Hypertech help me with this project. If you have any friends or family who could help you out - even if they haven't done something like this in awhile - the circuit is fairly simple. After watching Hypertech make the circuit, if I were to practice up on my soldering skills, I think I might be able to get by. It really helps to have the right tools for the job though.

HTH
 
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