[Slick Fork]

Originally Posted by abcha0s

Waves are supplemental flow. The interesting thing is that they are virtually unaffected by whatever crazy flow patterns your powerheads create. A wave by itself would not create the flow required for a healthy high flow system.

For pure wave generation, you can't beat a wavebox. It is purpose built for generating waves, and it works very well. The trouble with using Vortechs for waves is that you can't use them for waves and flow at the same time. You could rotate through modes, but you can't do both things at the same time.

Ideally, you would have a wave system and powerheads. The wave system could be a wavebox or two Vortechs. If you go the Vortech route, this implies an ideal minimum of 4 Vortechs - two for waves and two for flow. However, if you put 4 Vortechs in your tank, there are much more interesting things you can do with them other than waves and random flow. My guess is that with four Vortechs you would give up on the wave and setup another type of flow dynamic. While possible, I don't think many Vortech owners actually use them to create a sustained wave.

The only thing I don't like about the Tunze waveboxes is that they are louder than I expected. I'm not sure if I have mine installed wrong, but it is slightly louder than my Vortechs.

At the end of the day, if you want a wave then use a wavebox. Building a wavebox into your tank design is actually fairly easy to do and may help conceal the box, but it's not a big money saver - you still need the pump and controller and may end up buying a Tunze wavebox just to get the parts. If your not trying to be creative in concealing the box, then just buy the Tunze.

- Brad

My Nano wavebox was loud as well. And you actually maybe answered the volume question on how loud the vortechs are. You're right as well about needing supplementary flow. When I first had my wavebox you could see it just lift all the crud out of the rock but if I turned off the powerheads the crud would just sort of "wiggle" in place.