How important is it?

[deagan14]

Is it truly necessary to purchase a wave maker to get alternate flow such as a mp-10 or jebao pp-4, or is a hydor koralia pump sufficient? In other words will corals flourish and grow faster with a wave maker with more random flow instead of steady flow.
The tank is a biocube 32 with only softies and lps coral and I don't want to spend the money to upgrade the pump unless it's going to make a big difference.

 

[ktownhero]

They are not necessary, they just make it easier to accommodate varying flow patterns, improve food delivery and make the tank look cool. When you have regular power heads, you often can't really have anything directly in their path else it just looks like it is being blown in one direction. With wave-style powerheads the whole tank tends to have varying patterns so you have more placement options.

Nothing wrong with starting now with regular power heads and making a decision later as-to whether you want different types of flow. The regular power heads won't be wasted, they are very often used in conjuction with a wave maker.

I would place them such that their flow patterns collide somewhere in the tank. Flow collisions create randomized patterns.

EDIT: I'm sure that a good wave maker does help with improved coral health but I don't think it's so much that you need to lose sleep over it. Countless successful reefs have been kept with standard powerheads.

 

[ca1ore]

Wave maker is a misnomer. They're just flow modulators really. Modern pumps like the vortech can vary their flow, and that's nice, but many of us kept mixed reefs with timer alternated powerheads like the koralia for years.

 

[mcgyvr]

I notice that some "wave patterns" help to keep detritus,etc.. in suspension better..
Some high end SPS collectors have stated better (more consistent/even) growth patterns in their corals too..

But it really is not necessary nor super important and you won't notice a difference more than likely.. Save the money.