Recommend a powerhead to work with Wavebox?

[wurking_girl]

I originally posted a query about my wavebox on the 'New to the Hobby' board. To summarize, the guy who helped me set up my tank thought a wavebox and the returns would create sufficient flow for my 120 (48 x 24 x 24). However, I've since learned that I really need to add at least one powerhead to make things work correctly.

I'm wondering if someone could suggest a good powerhead option for me and also provide guidance on placement in the tank and how I should control it.

* what size, and do I need one or two? (specific models would be appreciated!)

* Wavebox is on the right tank wall, about 1/3 of the way from the back wall. I'm guessing the powerhead should go in a similar position on the opposite wall? (overflow is in the center)

* Can/should the powerhead run off the 'slave' connection on the wavebox controller? or should I just set it up to run on its own?

Appreciate any guidance! I'm an ignoramus when it comes to this stuff...

 

[rvitko]

Since you have a wavebox and that will mostly cover the need for removing and suspending sediment, being able to alternate and control powerheads is less important.

The top of the line set up would be a pair of 6095's, however a single 6065 should suffice. If you use controllable pumps like the 6095's they should be on their own controller, using the slave cable would only make the wave bigger and not really add a directional current.

I would place the pump on the same side as the wavebox, the most important factor will be that the powerhead is not aimed directly at the waveboxes output.

 

[wurking_girl]

Thanks for the quick response, Roger. If I go with the two 6095s, where would you suggest I place them for best flow? Can I run them both at full power, or would I need to dial them back a bit with two?

I do have an Apex controller, but not sure if I'd try to use that or just go with a Tunze controller... Can I do everything with an Apex that I could do with the Tunze?

Again, many thanks!

 

[rvitko]

I would place one in each back corner, about 6-8" from the top and aimed to hit the front 3 ft away. I would run them so one is at 30% when the other is at 100% and alternate them every 4-6 hours. I have not used an Apex, but my understanding is it can do a bit more, you just have to know how to set everything up.

 

[wurking_girl]

Perfect, thanks - and I did go ahead and purchase the Tunze controller as I've heard that while the Apex 'can' do a lot, it takes quite a bit of tweaking to make it work. I've already spent so much on this new hobby - what's a little more?? ;-)

This way, it looks like I can hook up the wavebox and the two 6095s to the same controller and make it do just what I want, including the occasional storm to shake things up! AND I can call on customer support to help me sort it all out if I get lost....

 

[rvitko]

Thank you!

 

[wurking_girl]

Okay, after a quick install of two 6095s and a much s-l-o-w-e-r install of software for multiconroller 7096 (couldn't resolve COM port issue on the PC, but finally worked on my daughter's Mac...), I'm ready to get things rolling. Unfortunately, although the instructions are relatively clear for use with pumps, I can't quite figure out how to coordinate a wavebox and two turbelles.

I've figured out that I want to run the wavebox on socket 3 using the 'wavecontroller' function, but do I still need to use the 'wave controller 6091' that came with the wavebox? (They have it pictured in the manual with the wavebox...) If so, how do I set that so the multicontroller can auto-adjust the wave?

Main issue, tho, is I'm not sure which mode to use to set the two 6095s (which I assume should be running on sockets 1 & 2). Roger mentioned setting them run at 30% and 100% respectively, switching off every 6 hours. I can set an interval of 6 hours, but it sounds like that will switch off between the 6095s and the wavebox? I can use pulse, and set sockets 1 & 2 at power 1 = 30 and power 2 = 100 (with the wavebox at 0/100), but looks like the only option is a pulse flow that is controlled in seconds.

Also, based on the above, if I set up storm cycle, what will happen? Will that only impact the two 6095s, or will it also change the action of the wavebox? Is there any way to test the cycle to be sure it won't cause a flood in my living room??

If anyone is familiar with programming one of these, can you please help with with appropriate settings?

THANKS!!

 

[wurking_girl]

Sorry, just moved this query to its own thread for greater visibility...