Wave Box Question
 

Do wave boxes replace the need for power heads, or are powerheads/ closed loops systems still required at well?

powerheads or closed loops are still needed

They do supplement your other flow very nicely. I have a closed loop and recently added a wavebox - much better overall water movement. I have no more dead areas, and a beatiful rocking wave motion that moves everything in every part of the tank in a very natural looking pattern.

If you can find a way to make it work aesthetically (they're not pretty), it is a great addition IMO.

i had a real careful look at one today running in a 6' long tank. looked cool and they're really not that big (4"x4" footprint or so). There was still a powerhead in the tank because otherwise the water really wouldn't be going anywhere.