Should i get wave makers?

[fishfreak1242]

Hi I just got a 55 gallon saltwater tank a couple weeks ago and it is still in the nitrogen cycle. I have about 60 lbs of live rock in it with no fish or anything in it that swims and was wondering if I would need a wave maker or a water pump of some sort to get some water movement. I saw some online and thought that I might need one. Do you think I need one and which one would u recommend?

 

[rcoultas]

You need powerheads to make the water movement. The wavemaker simply alternates the power to those powerheads causing a disturbed water flow (trying to emulate the ocean) They are good to have when you have lots of corals but if you are just starting out there are many other things you should spend your money on first.
You should try to get at least two ph's that will give you a flow rate of not less than 10x capacity - optimum is 15-20x - calculate by # of gallons in tank X desired flow rate.

 

[yosemite sam]

What sorts of pumps do you have in the tank now? Filters? Powerheads? Can you describe your setup more (ie what equipment you have)? You don't necessarily need to buy expensive wave makers but you need water movement.

 

[fishfreak1242]

Originally Posted by Yosemite Sam
What sorts of pumps do you have in the tank now? Filters? Powerheads? Can you describe your setup more (ie what equipment you have)? You don't necessarily need to buy expensive wave makers but you need water movement.
Right now I have a protein skimmer (not sure what brand, says AQUARIUM SYSTEMS on the top of it), a Top Fin Filter and a heater. Its pretty much the basic things that you need to start out. (its my first salt water fish tank. Just upgraded from my 20 gal freshwater tank).

 

[joncat24]

aquarium systems is sea clone..
get a couple koralia #3's and put one on each end and you will be golden

 

[calvertbill]

Originally Posted by fishfreak1242
Hi I just got a 55 gallon saltwater tank a couple weeks ago and it is still in the nitrogen cycle. I have about 60 lbs of live rock in it with no fish or anything in it that swims and was wondering if I would need a wave maker or a water pump of some sort to get some water movement. I saw some online and thought that I might need one. Do you think I need one and which one would u recommend?
I'll make a suggestion. I've got nine PHs from various manufacturers from low GPH up to the Koralia 4s. I've recently put a VorTech MP40W in my main tank and it's really impressed me. Some of the advantages:
1. It's completely adjustable for flows from 100 to 3000 GPH
2. The motor and coil are outside the tank so as not to heat the water.
3. It has several modes from straight flow, pulsing, wave motion, etc.
4. It can easily be toned down or up for tanks from 20 to 500 gal.
It's not cheap at $400 but for versatility and room to grow if you ever upgrade tanks...wow! This is a device which makes the others seem like toys.