If your wavemaker or powerhead feels cheap, it probably is budget might even reflect in the length of the power cable, which can surprisingly become frustrating over time.Īlso, consider that pumps made from high-quality materials also usually come with a prefilter foam and/or separate controller interface. Most average and above average-quality pumps will use magnet mounts and should have some physical weight to them. There are a few main differences between expensive wavemakers and inexpensive ones, though they might not be apparent to beginner hobbyists.įirst, you want to consider the quality of the design and the materials used. What is the difference between an expensive wavemaker and an inexpensive one? Of course, each tank is different and the flow needed will largely be determined by the layout, the equipment being used, and overall maintenance. On the other hand, more advanced tanks that have small polyp stony corals, like Acropora, need anywhere up to 50X turnover. In general, a 5-10X turnover rate is also ideal for most saltwater fish tanks that only have fish in them or that have soft corals and/or large polyp stony corals. The turnover rate for saltwater aquariums is a little more complex and each hobbyist has a different success story. In general, freshwater aquariums need a 5-10X turnover rate, with more heavily planted tanks needing the higher end of that range. Keep in mind that total GPH also includes filtration and any other equipment that is circulating the water. Many wavemakers are rated with how gallons per hour (GPH) they turnover. How to choose a wavemaker for your freshwater or saltwater aquarium Always make sure to understand the flow needed by your fish, plants, and corals in order to give them the best chances at thriving in your home aquarium system. Lastly, extra water flow will make your aquatic life feel more at home, provide additional nutrient intake and output, and help prevent algae from growing. If the gas exchange is being facilitated otherwise, then circulation equipment will help move those gases throughout the tank. One way of doing this is by pointing the equipment to the surface of the water, however, this can cause an increase in evaporation rates. Wavemakers and powerheads can also help facilitate gas exchange. A powerhead or wavemaker can help break up this uniform flow, preventing dead zones and introducing circulation to untouched areas of the aquarium. While your filter might have a high return rate that looks like it reaches all corners of the tank, the flow tends to be unidirectional and concentrated. The main benefits of using a wavemaker or powerhead are creating circulation in the tank, introducing new oxygen and facilitating gas exchange, and simulating a natural environment for fish, invertebrates, plants, and corals. If you’re experiencing dead zones in your aquarium, then you will need to position the wavemaker such that it isn’t overly affecting fish, but still creating water movement through the areas needed keep in mind that some freshwater fish love swimming against the current as well! What are the benefits of using a wavemaker? If you do have a densely planted tank though, you might need that flow to keep dead zones from happening in your aquarium where detritus piles up. Too much flow can make it difficult for your fish to swim and can even start to injure live plants. However, in a freshwater setup, many of the fish are that much smaller and come from stagnant or near stand-still water conditions. In most cases, wavemakers and powerheads are commonly used in saltwater setups because those fish are used to swimming against such currents and the corals need ample flow to be carried debris and nutrients for food. While a wavemaker isn’t usually necessary in a freshwater aquarium, there are many benefits that come with using one. Should you use a wavemaker in a freshwater aquarium? Wavemakers are good for creating back and forth movement while powerheads can be used to reach stagnant areas of the tank and to help move water past equipment, like a heater or a UV sterilizer. In comparison, powerheads move concentrated water in one direction and are best used in pairs where each is creating turbulence against the other.īoth wavemakers and powerheads look pretty similar to each other, but the desired result in the aquarium is quite different. This is done by a motorized propeller that creates an ebb and flow of water in the tank, moving a much broader and less focused wave. Check Price on Amazon What is an aquarium wavemaker?Ī wavemaker is also usually referred to as a powerhead, though the two are slightly different.Ī wavemaker does what it sounds like it would do and attempts to recreate the motion of waves or water flow in an aquarium setting.
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