Wave Maker

[2string1]

Can someone suggest a good and quiet wave maker with a controller for my Red Sea Max E-260? I will have both coral and fish in it? The cost must be reasonable not the 2 to 3 hundred dollar ones...

[BluewaterBoof]

Jebao and Uniclife make some decent budget wavemakers for under $100. The RW-8 model would be a nice fit for a tank that size. Probably more powerful than you'd need, but I would assume that you'd get some better life expectancy out of it by running it at only 50-75%.

[ntrinh91]

I bought this one on Amazon, works great for the low price. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...640813e9e465fe

[Jesterrace]

Can someone suggest a good and quiet wave maker with a controller for my Red Sea Max E-260? I will have both coral and fish in it? The cost must be reasonable not the 2 to 3 hundred dollar ones...

You shouldn't have to spend more than $50-$60. A Jebao with controller will set you back about $50 and a Hydor Koralia 3rd Gen about $60. Either would be a good choice.

[showmebutterfly]

I looked up the Red Sea Max E-260 and saw that it's a 69 gallon tank with similar dimensions to a standard 65G tank. Since I am (hopefully) soon to be working on a 65G build and since this thread isn't terribly old, I'm going to jump in here instead of starting a new thread on the same topic.

I am currently using a couple of Hydor Koralia circulation pumps on my 40B and like them a lot. I thought about getting a controller for them, but have read that sometimes when the pumps shut off and on they have a tendency to run backwards. That's made me nix that idea.

I am now looking at the Jeboa wave makers with controller, but since I'm not very mechanical minded, I'm having trouble figuring out which size I'd need. Plus there seems to be a lot of choices, at least on Amazon. I haven't ventured onto other equipment selling sights because I'm afraid there might be even more choices and my mind is already boggled. But to be fair, it stays that way most of the time.

Anyway... if someone wanted to get 2 Jeboa wave maker pumps for a 65-69G tank, what would be the recommended size?

[BluewaterBoof]

Rebecca, it is important to note that the Jebao wavemakers also fall victim to the reverse malfunction on occasion. I have two of the SW-2 units and one of them is currently experiencing the issue. It is resolved by taking it apart and cleaning out the inside where the magnet is, which is an easy fix, but it would be nice to have a product that doesn't have that problem.

I have looked around a few times to see if I can find an alternative that is a little better than the Jebao but no where near as expensive as the Vortechs and Maxspects, but it seems like you either have to settle for the problematic cheapos or shell out hundreds of dollars for the top of the line. I'm open to hear other options...

[showmebutterfly]

Thank you for that information, Andre. That's unfortunate that the Jebao has the same issues as the Koralia. I will probably run my 2 Koralia 24/7 and get another 2 pumps to run with a controller. I've read that good surface agitation and flow is even more important in a taller tank for oxygenation.

Hopefully we'll get some more people to chime in on this topic.

[Jwfish13]

I was looking at the ecotechs when I had my red sea. Jesus Christ I almost passed out at the prices lol. Unfortunately I had to tear down the tank before I added one but honestly the flow from the returns in the red sea were plenty.

[BluewaterBoof]

Make sure that you opt for a pump that can aimed towards the surface without much effort. One gripe I have with my Koralia pumps is that the power cord comes out of the back of the unit and therefore prevents me from aiming it towards the surface unless I flip it upside-down and and the cord looped below it. Not the sleekest look haha

[showmebutterfly]

I've noticed that problem with my Koralia pumps too. I can't adjust the angle as well as I'd like and if I push them up higher in the tank then I start getting that water cyclone thing.
I'm looking at the gyre pumps as an option, but not sure if I like those or if they'd do well in a deeper / taller tank.