Wavebox - How far from front glass?

[AcroSteve]

I am planning a 30Wx28Hx72L tank and plan on mounting the wavebox towards the front glass.

What would be considered the optimal position? Right next to the glass, or offset towards the back some distance?

Thanks

 

[Jar*Head]

Steve, i always mount my wavebox against the front panel but you can always mount them away from the panel as long as there is no obstruction from the aquascape...

 

[rvitko]

Normally once you excede 24" in width you will want to place it so it is no more than 24" in from the back wall or 6" from the front wall, the wave will be shorter if it is right in the corner.

 

[AcroSteve]

OK. That makes sense. Of course it depends on the aquascape whether or not the interference from it would be greater than the loss of the additional distance.

When you say the wavebox needs a clear shot at the far end of the tank, what does that mean? Does it mean an "alley" 4" wide or 8", or something in between?

I am planning on a fixed installation in a compartment in the overflow, so changing it later would be troublesome, to say the least.

 

[rvitko]

The more clearance the bigger the wave from my experience. The flow is a wide tube that flares out fairly quickly . You could have obstacles within a few inches of the pump output near the wavebox but on the far end the flow is quite wide and you will get a bigger wave if the obstacles are minimal, it will still work but the wave will be shorter.