Wavebox

[aerie]

Hi!
New on the forum, for the moment doing a mixed reef but studying hard to plan a reconstruction of the tank to a nps tank only. As I run the tank without a sump, everything goes in the tank and I am considering to put a wall in one end of the aquarium and install a wavebox. Just wanted to know if that would be a dumb investment if I am converting to azooxanthellae corals(mainly gorgonians to start with) or if they too would appriciate the flow? Main reason to get it would be to keep all the damn detrius off the sandbed ;)

Also considering installing a skimmer when converting, can't really make up my mind about that.

/Samuel, Sweden

[KeithM]

Hi Samuel,

Apologies for the late reply and Welcome to Ultimate Reef!

I feel that most azoox seafans prefer laminar flow. I have not personally used a wavebox so can't really comment on its effects on Azoox seafans, but I do know that Jens Kallmeyer uses a wavebox in his cube tank which is a mix of azoox and zoox corals (inc. seafans).

IF the choice is between a wavebox and installing a skimmer, then I would say go for the skimmer! IMO, water quality is very important for most azoox corals.

[Jens Kallmeyer]

wavebox is great! Through the back-and-forth movement of the water, the debris is flushed out of the smallest corner. After installing one in my last tank the water was cloudy for a few days, just from all the gunk that came out of the rocks. I have the impression that it does not interfere with laminar flow, it rather modulates it a bit to a faster/slower flow rate.
My cube is definitely too small for the wavebox, it only shows its full potential in a tank that is at least 1.2 , or better 1.5 m long. The longer the tank the better.

Jens

[dendro982RC]

Is it changes flow every 2-3 min or 20-30 min?
I'm thinking about power strip timers for that - for a 10-20g/ 40-80l tanks.

[aerie]

Thanks for the welcome and for the replies. I think I'll section a part of the tank for wavebox and skimmer and a Stream 6130 when I am ready ;)