Water level too high for Wavemaker???

[zachtos]

Hi, I have a 240 gallon full reeftank and am planning to buy a tunze wavemaker. I saw one in person recently and was amazed by the motion of the water on the coral polyps.

Tank Dimensions:
7'L x 2'H x 2.25'W
my water level at steady state is 3/4" from the top of the plastic lip around the tank.

This is a shot of the tank before setup, you can see that it has a lip all the way around the inside, which may minimize splashing.

Full tank shot for reference

Question: Is my tank's water level low enough to accomodate the waves? Will it be able to produce waves worth the time to buy one w/ only 3/4" height ability?

Also curious about how loud this will be, and if my maxijet mods will suck air in when the waves get too close to the water level of the pumps.

 

[rvitko]

I wouldn't recommend it unless you can reduce the standing waterline to about 1.25" below the top.

 

[zachtos]

Hmm, how would I do this?

And what would happen if I can't get it to 3/4" or more from the inner lip?

 

[rvitko]

The wave will be too small to be worth the money.

 

[zachtos]

So I just need to find a way to cut a hole in the overflows? I want a way that can be reversed for later on when I don't want the level so low... Can I just punch a 3/4" hole or something a bit further down so the water level will drop and then plug it/patch it later on to raise it again if I want? Cutting all the teeth sounds like a tough thing to do now...

 

[rvitko]

Cutting the teeth lower is the only safe way. Honestly, your tank looks like it has been patched a few times and you have to keep in mind that the wavebox stresses a tank and it might now be such a good idea.

 

[zachtos]

I'll try cutting the teeth about 3/4" - 1" lower... the tank is acrylic and the only patches are actually on the top center braces from the prior owner placing the metal halides too close to the braces.

 

[zachtos]

Alright, an hour with the dremel and I managed to cut the teeth down to a level where the water is now:

1 & 3/8" below the inner lip of the tank.

Do you feel this will be enough room for a significant wave? Or should I dremel all the teeth gaps down even further?

 

[rvitko]

That should be enough room, you may have to turn down the wave amplitude but 1" is enough to give a decent effect.

 

[zachtos]

Thanks for the help, I'll order one and try it out. I'll come back if I need any more help. I read throught the manual online as well, but it doesn't really talk about minimum water levels from the top anywhere that I can tell... I think one spot said 50mm minimum? For all tanks? It should be more clear considering I'm betting most tanks don't run that low!