Which Wavebox? (Or Vortech)

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

Originally Posted by mike31154

I have a VorTech MP40W in my 75 gal, 4 foot tank. It's costly but I don't regret the purchase in the least, the flow is amazing. I'm even hoping to get a second one to install on the opposite side. Then I can dial them down a little and eliminate a slight dead spot I have on the side of the tank without the pump. I'm planning a 90 gal in the future and I'm sure two will be the ticket for that.

For your 6 footer you will definitely want two VorTechs. With the controllers you'll have no problem creating a wave, even if you have to install them both on the same side. I run mine in long pulse mode about 4 inches below the surface, which doesn't create a surface wave, but does provide a natural undulation of my BTA and a distinctive undertow along the substrate.

Some of the earlier responses to this thread mention building an acrylic box inside the tank to see how a wavebox might look. Well, if you don't want to see the dry side of the VorTech with it's wires on the outside of the tank, you may consider doing the same thing to hide the dry side of the pumps inside your tank. You'll need to make sure the box, whether glass or acrylic is completely waterproof and perhaps extends a little higher than the top of your tank. That shouldn't be an issue since that part will be hidden by your canopy. The 'dry' box will need to be about 2 and 1/2 inches deep to house the dry side and the wet side will protrude another 2 and 1/2 inches into the tank, so probably just about as unsightly as a wavebox. This is a solution some folks have used that have tanks whose panes exceed 3/4 inch thickness, which is the max thickness that a VorTech can handle without the wet side falling off. They build a dry box with sides of a smaller thickness and away they go.

Great advice. Thanks!

I am looking for exactly what you said you are getting with the swaying back and forth and a nice undertow along the sand. I don't actually care much about an actual wave on the surface, just the benefits of the swaying flow.

So sounds like two would be the way to go. Except I don't want to spend close to $1140 for them

I will have to keep thinking about a solution...

[mike31154]

Yes, 1140 is a big hit all at once. I had a little difficulty justifying the purchase of an item that cost more than my entire used tank set up set me back. You must have some other devices currently providing flow? Even one of them will provide plenty of flow but in the long term your tank will benefit from two of them. Why not try it with one and get another later to spread out the pain a little?

One thing I should mention is that the VorTech will make some noise at full speed, so if that's going to be an issue, keep it in mind. If you hide the dry side in a box inside the tank, that would eliminate the noise.

With respect to the surface wave, as mentioned at 4 inches below the surface the VorTech creates good agitation at the surface meaning good gas exchange/oxygenation, but no signifcant surface wave. This will cause less of an issue with your overflow than the surge of a wavebox.

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

Thanks again Mike.

I think I will really have to think about it all.

The advantage to me of the Wavebox is that it will give exactly the flow I want to add and its in the tank (not half in half out).

The advantage of the Vortech's is that they are smaller.

Actually the only reason I am even still considering the Vortechs is because I think the Wavbox would be ugly but then again the vortechs may even look worse

[digital-audiophile]

If the vortechs are close to the surface you only have a short distance for the cord to go up into your hood (perhaps with some modification?)

If you go with a wave box and don't care for the wave action down the road you are somewhat stuck with it. With the vortechs aside from wave action they have the other modes - Reef Crest, Lagoon that are really good for flow.

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

Originally Posted by digital-audiophile

If the vortechs are close to the surface you only have a short distance for the cord to go up into your hood (perhaps with some modification?)

If you go with a wave box and don't care for the wave action down the road you are somewhat stuck with it. With the vortechs aside from wave action they have the other modes - Reef Crest, Lagoon that are really good for flow.

Yeah I figured I could get the cords into my canopy quickly but its still going to look pretty bad because that end of the tank is in the middle of my living room. If the tank were against a wall, it wouldn't matter to me.

I agree too that the Vortechs are so versatile and that is a huge advantage.

The big disadvantage of them to me is the price and "loudness". I have heard them at full speed and as said above, its ridiculous how loud they are. To me anyways...I have built this system to be dead quiet.

Just seems to me that maybe my original idea of the wavebox is actually the best option or I should say compromise. Either way I have to put something "ugly" in that end of the tank...I think that maybe as long as its IN the tank, it will be fine.

This thread has been very helpful though in getting me to really think about this whole thing instead of running out and buying one of them right away.

[Delphinus]

It might not look so bad once IN your tank and has a chance to get a little coraline on it... I dunno. I hear ya though.

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

Originally Posted by Delphinus

It might not look so bad once IN your tank and has a chance to get a little coraline on it... I dunno. I hear ya though.

I think your right.

The plan is to have nice enough fish and corals that you would never even notice the thing. I think I have bigger problems if you look at the tank and notice a black box before the livestock

I have decided to go with the 6212 Wavebox. Thanks everyone and I will post pics once I get it running!

[Whatigot]

Originally Posted by Delphinus

It might not look so bad once IN your tank and has a chance to get a little coraline on it... I dunno. I hear ya though.

+1

wavebox really fades into the reef setting once it gets a little dirty....