Tunze Wavebox

[Thatgrimguy]

I am thinking of adding a tunze wavebox to my 210g dual overflow tank. I just don't know if I can due to the overflows not being corner overflows.

How could I mount one of these units in this tank? I'm guessing it wouldn't work with one in each corner facing the overflows... Any ideas how to make this work?

 

[rvitko]

End overflows are the least ideal, the best is one back center overflow. The overflows in this case are only an issue if you must have the wavebox in the back corner, so long as you can move it forward it would work fine and better than corner overflows which kind of absorb the wave since it just spills in and loses power. You may have to rearrange the rock a little as you don't have much room it seems on the sides, but it could definitely work.

 

[Thatgrimguy]

I guess I could pull them forward near the front glass... Would one do the trick or would I need the 6125.5 as well?

How close to corals can they be mounted? My MP60s tend to tear the skin off my sps in the first 18 inches or so directly in front of the pump.

 

[Bela N]

For what it is worth

For what it is worth

I am not sure if your question deals with the location of your overflows or the physical placement of the wavebox. Since I have an atypical placement & numerous obstructions I will put in my two cents worth, in case it is of value. Hard as it is to believe but I still get undulation and a wave. All be it small, but still noticeable. We have a 140 gal tank with the Nano 6206 mounted half way between the front & back of the tank. There are corals beside, to the left & right, of the wavebox. There is a major coral Island about 15” in front of it which is directly impacted & obstructs flow. But I still have a 1/2”rise on the box side & a 1/4”rise on the obstructed side. Furthermore, the Nano 6206 is probably too small for a fully loaded 72” tank. I suspect the 6215 would generate a much stronger wave. I have attached a picture of our tank, which shows the wavebox & obstructions. The pic only shows 1/3 rd. of the 72” tank. You can barely make out the top of the wavebox, with a pink spot, in the upper right hand corner of the picture. It is hard to see as it is covered in coralline & hidden by corals. The box is above the washed out Pocillopora which is just above the feather duster. The 2 branched green acro (slimmer) & pink digi are behind the wavebox on a frag rack. The outlet, which you cannot see is above the frogspawn and directly, hits the 6 branches of the green acro. To the left of the green acro is a coral island which goes from the back of the tank to within7 inches of the front glass. This is hard to see due to the 2D nature of the picture. The orange Dendro, green Monti plate, purple Gorgonia (yellow polyps) are 6 inches from the front of the tank. The brown appearing flat gorgonian is bent as it is touching the front of the glass. The Fungia below them is 2” from the front; I have to be careful not to hit it with the magnetic cleaner. Despite this direct obstruction and central placement I still manage to get a 1/2” wave. Paired 6215’s should, IMO, work nicely. Found an older full tank shot to give you an idea of the level of obstruction.

 

[rvitko]

A single wavebox is all you need to produce a good size wave, however, I would also have a directional current from at least one propeller type powerhead.

 

[Thatgrimguy]

I am not sure if your question deals with the location of your overflows or the physical placement of the wavebox. Since I have an atypical placement & numerous obstructions I will put in my two cents worth, in case it is of value. Hard as it is to believe but I still get undulation and a wave. All be it small, but still noticeable. We have a 140 gal tank with the Nano 6206 mounted half way between the front & back of the tank. There are corals beside, to the left & right, of the wavebox. There is a major coral Island about 15" in front of it which is directly impacted & obstructs flow. But I still have a 1/2"rise on the box side & a 1/4"rise on the obstructed side. Furthermore, the Nano 6206 is probably too small for a fully loaded 72" tank. I suspect the 6215 would generate a much stronger wave. I have attached a picture of our tank, which shows the wavebox & obstructions. The pic only shows 1/3 rd. of the 72" tank. You can barely make out the top of the wavebox, with a pink spot, in the upper right hand corner of the picture. It is hard to see as it is covered in coralline & hidden by corals. The box is above the washed out Pocillopora which is just above the feather duster. The 2 branched green acro (slimmer) & pink digi are behind the wavebox on a frag rack. The outlet, which you cannot see is above the frogspawn and directly, hits the 6 branches of the green acro. To the left of the green acro is a coral island which goes from the back of the tank to within7 inches of the front glass. This is hard to see due to the 2D nature of the picture. The orange Dendro, green Monti plate, purple Gorgonia (yellow polyps) are 6 inches from the front of the tank. The brown appearing flat gorgonian is bent as it is touching the front of the glass. The Fungia below them is 2" from the front; I have to be careful not to hit it with the magnetic cleaner. Despite this direct obstruction and central placement I still manage to get a 1/2" wave. Paired 6215's should, IMO, work nicely. Found an older full tank shot to give you an idea of the level of obstruction.

Just wow. This is a perfect experience to pull from!! Thank you very much for your input. And for that awesome tank shot! Could you get more corals?! It looks fantastic and gives me a great idea of what I could expect!! Thank you!

 

[Bela N]

Obstruction

Obstruction

Found the perfect picture to illustrate the level of obstruction. A while back, I took a top down pic of the exposed corals while doing a 27 gal water change. The wave box is clearly visible, though the pump opening is not as it is below the water level. The island, with the Pocillopora, blue/purple Monti & Sunset Milli, is directly in the way of the wave box outlet. There are 2 more such protruding Islands of coral before the far end of the tank is reached. The extent of the protrusion can be seen by looking to the Milli's on the right side of the tank. The sunset Milli on the Island is almost touching the pinky/purple Milli which is on the frag rack hung on the front of the tank. As I said before, I can not believe that I get undulation & waves!

FYI I have been doing weekly water changes like this for at least 6-9 months with no apparent ill effects on the corals. If any one is interested, I can record how long the corals are exposed & report back.


Thatgrimguy - Clad to hear you found it useful. BTW I cry every time I see a nice coral as I have no ware to put it :-(