Benefits of a Wave Maker

[Timbits]

What are the benefits of a wave maker? Please share your experiences here.

[Madreefer]

I prefer the random flow modes.
Stirs up detritus to me is one of the biggest advantages.

[Slyguy00]

Aside from looking cool, lots of random flow is pretty beneficial to everything in the tank. Removes waste and brings food. I usually run my mp10s on nutrient transport mode.

[Timbits]

Is there a difference from putting two power heads facing each other or a mp10 as the 2 power heads facing each other would create random flow too.

[Madreefer]

No
Mp10s and Mp40s have different programs, you can adjust the rate and flow and pulse time as well. The can be synced together or in anti-sync. There really is no comparison between wave makers or controllable power heads to the conventional power heads.

[Slyguy00]

Im sure that would work just fine, its more the controllability of the mp10s that appeals to most people. That and they are quite powerful for what they are. I only have 2 in my 75 and there is plenty of flow. But having waves is far from necessary more just a luxury. Well worth the investment though. IMO anyways.

[StirCrazy]

the best thing about a wave maker is that if you have a lot of soft corals it makes them sway back and forth.

Steve

[CM125]

Im assuming your talking controllable powerheads, which are better in every way. Although we started with the JBJ ocean pulse wavemaker, which basically just switches power on and off, you can pretty much plug any power head into it. Its a good cheap solution that works until you can step up to the full controllable ones, we noticed a difference just going to that. Of course once we jumped up to the Tunze wavemakers (which I think are better than the vortechs but im sure thats a hot topic) we noticed an even bigger difference. I strongly recommend getting into something controllable as soon as you can.

[straightrazorguy]

Originally Posted by StirCrazy

the best thing about a wave maker is that if you have a lot of soft corals it makes them sway back and forth.

Steve

That's exactly what I thought; it's all about the visual appeal of having tentacles sway back and forth! What about SPS dominated tanks? Is there any benefit to having wavemakers for SPS?

[CM125]

There is benefit to every type of tank, I have personally never run SPS but im sure its a staple to have controllable power heads