Coast to coast overflow hampers wave?

[Jaws]

Originally Posted by Slick Fork

Coast to coasts and corner overflow boxes do dampen waves considerably since they cut them off at their "height".

Do you think that decreases the wave under the surface as well or just what's visible to us on the surface?

[Slick Fork]

I think it decreases the energy level of the whole wave. If you think of the way a wavebox works when there's no overflow to deal with, it goes back and forth like a seesaw. If you cut off the top of the cycle, you lose out on all the extra energy that would be gained on the "downstroke". Real waves seem to be less about current and more about momentum, if that makes any sense. A center overflow is ideal because the wave in the middle of the tank doesn't really move up and down, almost like it's a fulcrum point.

[mike31154]

If you look at it from a 'head' pressure perspective, it seems logical that with a lower water level (less head pressure), the pumps are able to create a larger wave since they're moving less water. Not sure the overflow has that much to do with it, but I'm not a physics professor either!

When I first got my MP40s, I had fun playing around with the wave making feature, but am now content to have them run in a random mode. I only put them into wave mode shortly before I do water changes these days. Helps transport nutrients. Wave mode gets too noisy & annoying to use continuously. Livestock doesn't seem to care either way.

[jason604]

Originally Posted by Slick Fork

I think it decreases the energy level of the whole wave. If you think of the way a wavebox works when there's no overflow to deal with, it goes back and forth like a seesaw. If you cut off the top of the cycle, you lose out on all the extra energy that would be gained on the "downstroke". Real waves seem to be less about current and more about momentum, if that makes any sense. A center overflow is ideal because the wave in the middle of the tank doesn't really move up and down, almost like it's a fulcrum point.

+1

[jason604]

How long is your 150g tank? I was thinking about getting the new WP14000 (upgraded version if the wp40)power head for my 75g 4' would that be overkill even with a variable power suppy?

[banditpowdercoat]

My tank is 5'. Amd I think 2 WP25's isnt enough, but 2 40's might be to much at full? Not sure. I have them running off a Apex, not the Jebao controller. I might upgrade to 2 40's later. If I ever find some extra $ that this Divorce doesnt suck out of me

[sphelps]

I don't think you need to be a professor to understand why coast to coast overflows and waves don't mesh well. Power heads are relatively small pumps but can generate waves by pulsing at a certain frequency that resonates at a natural frequency based on the tank dimensions, head pressure has nothing to do with it, however volume certainly does but not the issue here. This natural frequency is very sensitive, you'll notice that by changing the pulse interval slightly the wave will disappear, thus illustrating the sensitivity. An overflow box will disrupt the wave because every time water is pushed to one side a portion of the volume is absorbed by the overflow box so less volume bonces back as a result. Coast to coast or double overflows are the worst as they'll absorb the most volume as they are located on the far side on both sides of the tank and therefore the wave. Besides no overflow at all, center overflows are the best for generating waves so blocking off both sides of the coast to coast will produce a noticeably bigger wave.

[banditpowdercoat]

Now my conundrum. Tank level is fairly high. Built it before I went with a wave. SO I have 1.5" static water height between my overflow and Eurobrace. I can lower it about 3/4" as I have a plastic top strip all along my weir of the CtoC overflow. But, i'm trying to weigh the pro's cons here. Lowering the water level 3/4" and kinda making the CtoC into a center overflow isnt that bad, But if I dont like it, going back to full CtoC will be a chore. Would the better wave stir up more detritus and be more helpful than the full surface skimming my CtoC overflow does now with the lower wave height?

Maybe I'm just overthinking and grasping at ideas cause of my recient Dino's outbreak and pretty much loosing all my Zoa's. I have a lot of rock, and flow in and around rocks osnt the best. All the remaining sand and detritus piles up under the rocks where I cant siphon or stir it up regularly. Was maybe thinking a bigger wave could help with that?