Wavebox 6212 Help!

[JustinReef]

Last night I installed a 6212 Wavebox in my 72"x19"x16" (water level) tank. I got it rocking pretty good after a bit of time messing with it but then after a few hours it shut off (beeping). I took the thing apart but couldn't find anything stuck or wrong.

So started it back up and it was fine overnight. Then this morning I was awakened by it beeping again. Same thing...nothing stuck or wrong that I could see.

Now it just beeps every few minutes and I guess shuts off but starts up again right away (doesn't even really miss a wave). The sometimes it will stay off and keep beeping.

Why would this be happening?

 

[JustinReef]

Can sand cause the controller to shut the pump down?

There is a bit of sand stuck in the foam around the pump. But its not in the actual pump at all...

Since my tank is shallow, the wavebox has created a HUGE sand storm. I am going to clean it out again now and see that makes a difference.

 

[JustinReef]

Nope..didn't do a thing.

Well, when it does work, this thing is great but so far thats not often. I was warned about this though

 

[Jar*Head]

Look like you figured out the problem. Sand into the pump is a big no no.

 

[JustinReef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14200650#post14200650 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Jar*Head
Look like you figured out the problem. Sand into the pump is a big no no.

No it wasn't that. I cleaned it out (wasn't really much) but the alarm still goes on as soon as I plug the unit back in and the pump stays off.

 

[Jar*Head]

Did you purchase the unit brand new or used?

 

[JustinReef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14200724#post14200724 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Jar*Head
Did you purchase the unit brand new or used?

Used but it has not been used much. Its less than a year old and has not been used that whole time. Its all been cleaned and actually looks brand new...they could have sold it as new and I would not have know the difference

 

[Jar*Head]

Why don't you disassemble the pump, remove the rear bushing and the upper bearing then put it back to see if anything change. I think you may have some sand stuck in the back of the pump. There is a hole inside your propeller make sure there is nothing inside it...

 

[rvitko]

Try the cleaning, if that doesn't work you are welcome to send it in.

Tunze USA
305 Victor St
Austin, TX 78753

 

[JustinReef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14201192#post14201192 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Jar*Head
Why don't you disassemble the pump, remove the rear bushing and the upper bearing then put it back to see if anything change. I think you may have some sand stuck in the back of the pump. There is a hole inside your propeller make sure there is nothing inside it...

Just did this and it didn't look like any sand was in the pump but maybe there was. I ran the pump without the controller in my bathtub and its working fine. No problems.

I hooked the wavebox up in my bathtub and again no problems...so must be sand. All I can think of...

So the problem then is my tank I think Its so shallow that maybe a wavebox was a bad idea. It may be hard to get sand to stay out of the pump, not to mention I don't want a never ending sand storm in my tank. Its getting better and better. I guess eventually the sand will stop moving.

Another question...is it harder to get a good sized wave on a shallow tank? I can't seem to get much more than about 3/4" in my tank even when adjusting VERY slowly and waiting a minute inbetween adjustements. I literally spent 45 minutes this morning trying to get a better wave but maybe this is about it? I am happy enough with the wave but I keep hearing of people getting much bigger

 

[Jar*Head]

Justin, with that size tank you should be able to get at least 2" of wave. Lets go over the placement of your wavebox inside the tank.

1. Make sure you have a straight path across the tank.
2. Make sure the water line on top of the box is above or at the water level.
3. There is 2 holes in the back of the box for bracket mount (you can plug them with the plastic screws which come with your bracket mounting kit and it will increase 1/8")


Dialing the wavebox

1. Turn the white knob counter clockwise till stop
2. Slowly turn the knob (very slow)
3. Stop and observe for a min
4. Make another small adjustment then repeat stop 3 till you get the wave length that you want.


Note: Make sure the pump power is at Max. I am not sure which model you have but their is a small white screw, turn it clockwise till stop that mean your pump is at max power.

If you still need help, let me know... As for the sand you can always put larger size grain in front of the box to avoid sand storm...

 

[JustinReef]

Thanks Jar*Head

1. Yes there is a straight path across the tank but it is down one side. The tank is a room divider/peninsula, so the rockwork is all down the middle and low to the sand. Not much rock in my tank at all.

2. It is right at the water level when the unit is off. Would it help to raise it even higher?

3. I will look at this. I am using the magnets, so I assume they are open?

As for dialing it in, I did exactly what you have said there. So when its all the way clockwise, it pulses very fast. I go slowly clockwise and get a wave just near the point where the white graphic beside the dial starts...if that makes sense. Basically the thin side of that arc on the controller. I don't get a wave anywhere else.

I had planned to do what you said about the sand.

I am happy with the wave as of now but it seems quite small. I don't know...I have tried about a half dozen times to get it bigger with no luck. Oh and yes the power is all the way up.

My tank is not that big and I was under the impression I would get quite a big wave.

 

[JustinReef]

Oh and BTW, do you have pics of your tank set up? It sounds very interesting

 

[Jar*Head]

Justin, when the wave vanish doesn't mean its gone. Don't be afraid to turn it again and again. Sometime when you get the oscillating and you thought it is a wave but that is not the real wave. Turn it again then the oscillating disappear then you go uh oh then you turn it back to where it oscillating and thought that is your max. The answer is NO, keep on making small adjustment till you get the wave you want. You can raise the box a bit higher as long as it doesn't sucking in air. Try it now and get back with me. I will be here pretty much all night

 

[JustinReef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14204969#post14204969 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Jar*Head
Justin, when the wave vanish doesn't mean its gone. Don't be afraid to turn it again and again. Sometime when you get the oscillating and you thought it is a wave but that is not the real wave. Turn it again then the oscillating disappear then you go uh oh then you turn it back to where it oscillating and thought that is your max. The answer is NO, keep on making small adjustment till you get the wave you want. You can raise the box a bit higher as long as it doesn't sucking in air. Try it now and get back with me. I will be here pretty much all night

Actually I kind of did keep going past where the original wave was but never found another spot on the controller where I could get a wave. I will try again though I am determined to make it bigger!

I actually can't raise it up like I thought...my canopy will be in the way. The canopy is not done yet though and I can make a small cut out in the side to make the wavebox go higher. Do you think having the wave box higher up may help? The reason I ask is because now when the water level is right at the blue wavy line in the box, the bottom of the box is only about 6" off the bottom of the tank and maybe 4" from the sand.

I think the problems earlier must have been sand. I cleaned it again and have had it running no problem for hours.

Guess I will keep trying for a bigger wave

 

[Jar*Head]

I am not sure you understand the term small adjustment. If you feel the knob move, you move it too fast :lol:. Remember take your time and slowly adjust the knob. If you can raise the box up a bit, it may help with the sand bed... If you still can't get the wave going, please post picture of the tank along with the placement of your wavebox so i help figure out the problem.

 

[Jar*Head]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14204955#post14204955 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by justinpsmith
Oh and BTW, do you have pics of your tank set up? It sounds very interesting [/QUOTE

What tank ? I don't have one up and running at this point but i am working on a monster one

 

[JustinReef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14205026#post14205026 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Jar*Head
I am not sure you understand the term small adjustment. If you feel the knob move, you move it too fast :lol:. Remember take your time and slowly adjust the knob. If you can raise the box up a bit, it may help with the sand bed... If you still can't get the wave going, please post picture of the tank along with the placement of your wavebox so i help figure out the problem.

Ok, then maybe I am moving it too fast. I move it just until I can feel it move the slightest bit.

I will take some pics tomorrow and post them if i can't get it going.

 

[JustinReef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14205029#post14205029 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Jar*Head

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14204955#post14204955 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by justinpsmith
Oh and BTW, do you have pics of your tank set up? It sounds very interesting [/QUOTE

What tank ? I don't have one up and running at this point but i am working on a monster one

This one

"96x48x24 411g peninsula style with external wavebox...."

 

[Jar*Head]

I hope you get a bigger wave tomorrow Justin.