Tuning New Tunze Nano Wave Box

[JPF]

I received my Nano Wave Box yesterday. I set it up in my 90 gallon drilled reef ready four foot tank facing the length of the tank on the rear edge of the right wall. It is pulsing the flow from right to left. The drilled overflow is off center to the left by not quite a third. The units flow strikes the black plastic internal overflow that runs the height of the tank and seems to go around the curved edge of the overflow easily. I carefully read the directions before installing the unit and feel I followed the directions for tuning a proper wave. I stepped up the power click by click while slowly over the course of two hours turned the dial to maximum. All I seem to be getting is a circular current and a very, very small surface wave that must be looked for to be noticed. Clearly I have done something wrong.

I have just turned the lights on the tank for the day and the unit has turned back on. With the power turned to 24 volts and the dial set all the way clockwise I am not seeing much but the circular current. Any suggestions, tips or links for me to investigate? I don't give up easily.


Jim

 

[Jar*Head]

Good morning Jim,

I have notice a few things.

1. The white knob dial doesn't determine the strength of the pump. The transformer does. You did the right thing by setting it at 24v.

2. You don't have to set the wave box to flow the length of the tank. That is one of the best feature about this nano wavebox.

Dialing the wavebox

1. Make sure the top of your nano wavebox is approx 1/2" above the water.

2. Make sure your return or powerhead are not point direct at the out put of the wavebox or flow the same direction next to the output of the wavebox.

3. Turn the white knob counter clockwise till stop.

4. Slowly turn the knob a tiny bit at the time and give it 1 - 1.5 min in between adjustment. Continue turning the knob till you are happy with the wave....

 

[JPF]

"1. Make sure the top of your nano wavebox is approx 1/2" above the water. "

Oops. Mine is about an inch below the water line.

You get big points for clarity. Here I go!

Thanks,

Jim

 

[Jar*Head]

Well, get back with us on the status...

 

[JPF]

I generated a small wave with the knob turned to about 30% clockwise from the full counter clockwise start position. I very slowly followed through all the way clockwise but the wave height decreased. I have changed the position of the unit to the back of the tank facing the front glass. and have just started the adjustments from scratch. I have to step out for a while and will report back tonight with the results. Thanks again and all advice is welcome.

 

[Jar*Head]

Not a problem. Make sure you give it some time between adjustment. If you mount it from the back to the front, it will take longer for the wave to build up...

 

[JPF]

I tuned it in so that I achieved the wave I desired. Thanks for the help. It really made a difference. I have a total wave height of just over an inch. The fish are swaying nicely. It was an interesting and easy process once I understood my mistake.

I watched a lot of really cool You Tube videos of this unit and was amazed to see just how wavy things could get. My tank has a fair amount of rock in it but its doing its thing just fine. Did I mention this is an African cichlid tank? This is the video that inspired me to make my purchase.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJGkA1xMr0Y
Cut to about 2:47 to see the small Tanganyikan cichlids swaying about their rocky reef. My fellow reefers get it but my fellow cichlid keepers think I am nuts. I will try to get my son to put a tank video on You Tube.