Wavebox help needed

[slapshot]

First let me say I love my Wavebox!!! I do have a problem in that I can not get the wave to go very high. My tank is 48 inches wide so it is set at the fastest or nearly all the way to the left. I can get about a 1/2 wave with the pump running full tilt. It has a "mostly" clear shot across the tank. A few corals have grown out into the path. Does it need to be an clear shot across? what else could be wrong?

 

[troyman]

no does not have to be completly clear i have rocks in way and it goes like hell the key is turn the control knob very slow and give ita few seconds i get my best wave when knop is at lik 11 or 12 oclock position my tank is a 125g

 

[rvitko]

As Troyman said, it is largely an issue of tuning but I have found it is possible to have a rock configuration that really mutes the wave. My worst result was a tank I set up with an L shaped rock formation and the Wavebox was directed to the leg of the L and it really reduced the height of the wave, changing to a simple wall of rock added a 1/4" in wave height to my 120, so, it can be both but tuning is the first step.

 

[slapshot]

Ive got that switch nailed. I have spent hours turning it a little bit. I can't figure it out. I have additional powerheads but none of them are working against it. I have heard that can cause a problem. I love the movement in the tank but I want more.

I have a friend who has one and his wave is like 1 1/2 inches. i am jealous.

 

[troyman]

start off at like 3 0clock and work up to 12 0r 11 when i first got mine it didnt do anything then when i tuned it right wow my waves are to high gotta shut it down a little i no u dont wanna hear that lol i have a streamer powerhead on each end of tank and one in middle in back doesnt interfere at all when the phot cell shuts it off at nite in morning when it goes on wave start almost instantly

 

[Jar*Head]

I always recommend to turn the white knob counter clockwise till stop then slowly turn it clockwise with a very small adjusment. If you feel or see the knob turn, you are turning too fast. Stop and observe the wave for 1 min (you must give the wavebox a chance to build up the wave) then make another adjustment. Continue adjusting your controller till you reach the wave that you want.

To find out if you are at the max or not

Continue turn the white knob clockwise, two things should take place.

1. Bigger wave

2. No wave

If you get #1, keep turning the knob if the wave disappear, turn the knob back and that should be your max.... Make sense?

 

[slapshot]

Makes sense but I have done that 100 times. I get a wave at 10 oclock to in between 10 and 11 then it falls down. There must be something I am doing wrong. At full out and right before the wave falls down I get maybe 1/2 inch wave. I have had it for 6 minths so I am pretty familiar with it.

 

[Jar*Head]

A few things to look for

1. Make sure the blue sponge cover the motor block not the intake screen.

2. The solid part of the screen facing down.

3. Make sure the top part of the wavebox expose 1/2" - 3/4" above the waterline

How much rock do you have in the tank?

 

[palawan]

Try to increase the "max power pot" on the blue driver box. Start with the pulse knob fully CCW the box will pulse rapidly and so will your tank water, slowly and in small increments turn the pulse knob CW until you get the highest displacement. I am able to get a maximum of 1" displacement in my 100g 5ft. tank. If your "max power pot" is maxed out you should get the same results. I've had to replace my driver box recently my old one died out. I've been told that as the driver box starts degrading the large x-former will deform because of the heat. With the new box my wave displacement was as it was when the box was new. Maybe your driver box is degrading and thats why you can't put out a large displacement. Is your x-former bulged out? My box is 3-4 years old.

 

[Jar*Head]

Palawan, that is not always the case. I have use a very old wavebox in the past and it work perfectly fine...

 

[slapshot]

I will check the internals, I have not done that. how much rock is a tough question I really have pillars with a central large face.

I have covered two sides of the wavebox with rock rubble but i don't think that would cause it. Could be the input being covered. thanks for your help any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Jar*Head]

I won't be able to make any suggestion till i get to see the picture. My GOV computer don't allow photobucket. If possible, can you send me the JPEG version to my email address.

Steven.ngo@usmc.mil

Once i see the picture, i can make better recommendation.

 

[slapshot]

Picture sent.

 

[Jar*Head]

Email you back...

Outstanding rockwork...

 

[slapshot]

Mucho gracies. What two holes I never noticed them before. I will find out when I open it up. It could really be the foam.

 

[Jar*Head]

There is two holes in the back of the box. That two holes is for the bracket mount. You can use the two plastic screws that come with the mounting kit and plug it...

 

[slapshot]

Well, I plugged the holes and checked the intake cleaned it all up and still 1/4 inch wave. I just don't get it.

 

[Jar*Head]

hmmm, that is very strange. Make sure you adjust it very sssslooooow. Start it all over again with the knob all the way to the left and slowly turn clockwise. Remember a little bit at the time... If you still don't get the wave, call me...

 

[palawan]

Is the power pot on the blue driver box all the way CW? If not try to max out power and see what happens. If all else fails give Rodger a call at Tunze USA.

 

[rvitko]

I think the problem is the rock on either side, I had the same problem, so has another reefer I talked to, if the opposite side from the wavebox has rock on it the wave will be much shorter than if it is hitting the glass.