[adviner]

i have a 95 gal tank now and want to add a wavemaker.
I was gonna just use one of those timers with plugs that goes by 5 minute increments. I figure i will buy 2 of them to create different directions. I was thinking of using some maxi jet powerheads

My question is the following:
1. On a 95 gal tank, how many powerheads to use?
2. What size powerheads would work?
3. How many should i use?

Thanks

[BLKBRDTA]

The number of powerheads needed for your 95g display will be determined by your target gph/per pump and/or desired flow pattern. Some hobbyists desire high/low clockwise/counter clockwise flow, also known as "racetrack flow." And others may prefer high/low chaotic current which doesn't really have any intended direction.

Two Hydor Koralia's (K3 or K4) facing towards each other and upwards will be plenty, if not too much flow @ 850 - 1,200 gph each. Three or four Maxi Jet 1200's would do the same @ 295 gph each, but you will have a harder time getting chaotic flow due to the decrease in output. Again, for chaotic flow just aim the powerheads towards each other.. And for "racetrack" flow, just angle them all in a the same desired direction. I run my display with my return on the right (780 gph,) and a K4 on the left (1,200 gph) facing the return.

Also, you should check out the JBJ Ocean Pulse Wavemakers.. They are relatively low in cost for a wavemaker, have settings from 10 seconds to 6 minutes and come in two sizes, the Duo and the Quadra. They also have a pretty good rep. and I have a buddy who praises his as well!

Here's the link:

JBJ Ocean Pulse Wavemaker

HTH

[adviner]

Question on using the Hydor Koralia's. So buying two of them and facing them at opposite ends of the tank facing each other would give me the chaotic effect? I've seen that wavemaker and was interested in it. But on the same website for the Hydor its says:
Note: Hydor Koralias are not intended for use with wavemakers.

Any thoughts on this, will the wavemaker eventually burn it out?
If i just put one on each side and face them at each other and just have it continuously on would that be good enough to create the chaotic affects? If it is, should i put them higher up on the tank or lower on the tank?


Also in regards to the wavemaker, if i have two of those dial timers (with the 5 minute tabs), isnt that the same thing as the wavemaker you are talking about? I just dont want to spend more when i already have the two timers on hand.

Thanks for the great info

[BLKBRDTA]

Yes, facing two K4's at opposite ends of the tank would yield relatively chaotic flow. With my K4 and return facing each other, I have current flowing downwards, over and under each other, upward lift to keep food suspended, tiny whirlpools at the surface for great agitation, plus my Torch Coral loves the random motion.

Regular K4's are not intended for use with a wavemaker because the propeller sits on a shaft, and is connected to the motor only by a small magnet which rotates when the motor spins. As a result, when the motor kicks on (sometimes) the prop is launched forward on its shaft, violently bouncing until finally catching in its slot then rotating as one piece. Some of the reviews on MarineDepot's site with the 3 star ratings are because the users owned and operated K4's with their Ocean Pulse, resulting in the same incident, yet they do not know which product is to blame..:
.
.
"..It does what it is designed to do. One of my powerheads comes on seamlessly but the other rattles before coming on. So not sure whether to blame the wavemaker or the pump. Controls are great, simple and click into place. Only problem is with the one pump, if I take it apart and get it silent like the other than no problems at all with the wavemaker.

Yes, I would recommend this product to my friends."
.
.
Truth is its not the wavemaker's fault, rather a small design flaw with the shaft of the K4's propeller. It can be very easily modified with a few dabs of hot glue or other strong and water safe adhesive just in front of the propeller. When the motor cranks, the prop hits the DIY barrier and the "rattling" stops.

To answer your question, no the motor will not burn out on the Koralia because of the on/off switching of the wavemaker. However, if a regular K4 goes un-moded then your prop will almost certainly be chewed up over time by the scraping of the slots together. Keeping them continuously on will give you chaotic flow, but no wave like motion (if thats is your goal to achieve.) I keep my K4 just above half way on the left side of my DT, and aim it slightly upwards and across. Too high up to the surface and water may begin splashing out of the tank as they are pretty strong motors with a wide amount of flow.

Yes you could just use your current analog timers to create 5 minute durations. After all, the Ocean Pulse goes from 10 seconds to 6 minutes and you already have 2 x 5 minute analog timers (just have to make sure they are calibrated together well.) It all depends on what flow you want for your fish and coral, 5 minutes for alternating current or 10 seconds for random wave motion. Hydor does make controllable K4's, the only two downsides are that 1.) They have power plugs which can only be used with a Hydor Wavemaker.. And 2.) Hydor Wavemaker's can cost up to $400 bones.. Might as well get a couple VorTech MP40's at that price..

Sorry to be on the lengthy side, I tend to get much too descriptive.

But, "Now you know! And knowing is half the battle!"

[adviner]

Thank you so much in being very descriptive . Now I have more info to go buy. So even with just using my 2 timers I should stillmod the pumps because of the off on ? Thanks so much

[BLKBRDTA]

Not a problem, glad I could help in answering your question. Yes, it is a wise idea to try and stop the issue before it causes any damage. Although my K4 sometimes will not "rattle" when it goes on, its always a good idea to mod them if you plan on using regular Koralia's with a wavemaker.

[adviner]

So for a 90 gal tank, would you say 2 k3 or k4 to create a good wave. I have lots of live rock also and plan on putting live corals and some fish. I dont want it to be too strong that water is splashing out the tank or the sand is continuously floating, but i want to be strong enough that i wont have to upgrade again. I think i will get that JBJ also.

Again great information

[BLKBRDTA]

A K3 would give you nice, somewhat gentle flow (though 850 gph isn't exactly gentle.) A K4 would give you stronger, more swift current and may possibly yield better results when trying to achieve chaotic motion. Over time (I would say 3 to 4 months) the powerhead does decrease in power output a little. Its nothing to worry about though, it happens normally to most powerheads anyways, just plan to notice a small change in flow pattern. Since my tank is 3 ft wide and yours is 4 ft, I would say two K4's would do just fine in your tank without disturbing much of the sand. Although keeping some sand in the exact same position while using a Koralia is a bit hard.. It will drift around a little, but once everything settles in it will stop shape-shifting like sand dunes.

FYI - I have seen a 24g Nano with a K4 in it..