Wave2k - thoughts?

[wkopplin]

I know Richard at CB Pets has been looking into the Wave2k wavemakers. They look interesting, but was wondering if anyone has any experience with them.

www.wave2k.com

I am also going to have five holes drilled in my tank for a closed loop (1 outflow, four returns). In addition, I will have two 1" Sea Swirls for the returns from the pump. A wave2k might be too much extra flow. I plan to keep mostly softies in the tank, although the sps bug has been trying to bite me.

[dow]

Hey,

No information on hthe Wave2K, but I did see this article on WWM that you might find interesting. You wouldn't have to drill but two holes here, one outflow, one return. It's a return water manifold.

"Plumbing a Water Return Manifold - goodbye powerheads!" (http://www.wetwebmedia.com/pbh2oret.htm)

Good read. I'll probably do this on my next tank.

[Henry]

i was also looking in to getting one of these. I think someone on here has one on their tank. Hopefully they will see this and chime in.

[matt]

Following the link on Dow's post, there is a whole series of articles and FAQs on tank plumbing by Anthony Calfo. Definitely worth reading. In one of them he strongly recomends against wake makers or powerhead timers. I love the return manifold idea on a closed loop. Between that and a couple of sea swirls, I think you could count on really good flow charateristics.

Still, there's no doubt in my mind that the most effective and healthy flow for a reef tank would come from a well designed surge device. This is an engineering project that our hobby could really use. I have an idea that involves a couple of cylinders with pistons. These would be plumbed to opposite ends of the display tank; one would push water into the tank, the other would simultaneously pull water from the other side of the tank. Then the pistons would switch directions in the cylinders, and the flow would reverse. The benefits are alternating currents, great water movement without the water ever going through a pump impeller, and a terrific surge without a net loss or gain in the tank water volume.

I thought about trying to build this, but I'm too busy. It's not too difficult to figure out though. You need a big cylinder, piston, and a worm gear.

[Henry]

Matt, the wave2k is essentially what you are talking about in a smaller package. It works on that principal.

[Richard]

There are a number of negative reviews of the wave2k on reef central. Mostly problems with the belt breaking and the motor. Sounds to me like a great idea that still needs some work so I've decided against getting one at this time.