Wavebox on shallow SPS BB tank

[peterlin98]

It was suggested to me to try out wavebox on my sps tank. Previously I was concerned about water splashing outside of the tank (this is a open top - no lip around acrylic tank, 15 inch deep), and the sps are doing well with 2 Tunze 6100, and 2 Mag12 return pump.

So I turn off one of the Mag 12 to reduce the water into the display tank. With the wavebox running only, I'm just amazed with the water movement. All I can say was wow.

I converted this tank to bare bottom more than a month ago. Rock layout is not optimal, but looks good. There are always dead spot where debris accumulates. Now that wavebox is installed, I can see all the debris is being lifted into water since the wave is polishing just about everything in the tank.

Here is a video, about 5 mb large. I tried to show the debris lifted from the bottom but unfortunately not very visible. But you can see the particles circling around the entire tank. It's amazing that this is just with one wavebox and a return pump!

Wavebox on BB tank

Two thumbs up for wavebox

 

[SeanT]

Yep, they are pretty neat-o.
Nice vid.

 

[Saldarya]

Looks and appears to function beautifully. A couple of questions if I may as although I have known these to exist, I am just beginning to consider the wavebox for my new tank.

1. In addition to the wavebox, do you have any additional flow outside of the return lines from sump?

2. The Loc-line returning from each end of the tank, I am assuming that is sump return, is there any type of modification to those, or just straight return.

3. I would appreciate a better understanding of placement of the box in the tank. My tank is 78"x32"x32". Does box rest on bottom, or hang from edge of top?

Thanks in advance,

Robert

 

[peterlin98]

Hi Robert, reply below

1. In addition to the wavebox, do you have any additional flow outside of the return lines from sump?

>> I have two Tunze Stream 6100 connected to multi-controller. Stream are hidden in Tunze rock.

2. The Loc-line returning from each end of the tank, I am assuming that is sump return, is there any type of modification to those, or just straight return.

>> Loc-line are sump return. It used to be one loc-line per Mag 12 - but right now one of the Mag 12 pump is turned off. I'm working on T-off Mag 12 to both lock-line. At the end of the Loc-line I'll use Eductor to increase the flow. My plan also is to use Scwd 1 inch when it becomes available.

3. I would appreciate a better understanding of placement of the box in the tank. My tank is 78"x32"x32". Does box rest on bottom, or hang from edge of top?

>> wavebox has to be 1 inch above the water. I'm using Tunze magnet to keep the box above water.

 

[Saldarya]

Thank you so much for a quick response, which leads to one other question.

If the tunze box has to be 1" above the water line, how does that water level effect the overflow boxes in standard designed tanks, if at all.

I just envision the water level having to be decreased to accomadate the wave, but diesnt that affect water entering the overflow box?

Thanks again

Robert

 

[peterlin98]

Robert,
The wavebox allows you to adjust height of the wave. I just chose to decrease the water entering the tank - Mag 12 is rated 1200 GPH. I probably get about 900 GPH after some loss from plumbing - which is still more than 3x the turn over rate for this 150 gallon tank. The add'l flow is made by the the closed loop (Tunze stream and wavebox).

Peter

 

[Saldarya]

Sounds good, that being said, is there ever any times where there is inconsistent flow into your overflow box caused by a wave cascading in one second, and then not the next second. Its hard to describe, but I envision a pulsating water flow into the overflow box, if the waves are higher than the lip if the OF box, which I assume it has to be as the water level has to be higher than the box lip to maintain a flow to your sump.

Man, I hope that made sense.......

Robert

 

[peterlin98]

That makes sense. But in the end, it's the same amount of water coming out of the overflow box. When wave is higher, more water enters the overflow. When wave is lower - less water enters the overflow.

 

[Frisco]

Awesome!! :thumbsup:

 

[univalreef]

I have one and I tried to use it... but the noisy level is very high... How about yours.. and how do you solve this problem !!!

 

[peterlin98]

Frisco - Thank you.

univalreef - I'm okay with the water splashing when wave move over to the overflow box. It feels like I am near by a beach when looking at the tank.

 

[univalreef]

How about the noise from the pump (or the whole case)

 

[peterlin98]

I cannot tell the noise from the wavebox, which is secured to the tank with 2 Tunze magnets.