How To Setup Aquarium Wavemaker and What are its Benefits:

Wavemakers create waves in water which help marine tanks because if there is not enough water circulation then impure substances grow in the tanks & moving water will avoid such issues. Another advantage of wave maker in marine tanks is that it can provide food to corals & invertebrates that can’t locate food on their own.

Adding a wave maker will help you easily clean & siphon remaining food & dirt simply from aquarium in both freshwater & salt water aquariums.

Wavemakers are used for circulating water in aquariums & there are locations in your aquarium where there is lack of water movement, particularly in a big tank. It is difficult for a filter to clean that portion of aquarium & your fish might not like that region. The water in that particular region is less aerated which can be dangerous for your fish.

 

Have a look at the content of this post:


  • Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Wavemakers

  1. How do wavemakers work?
  2. What are the problems with using a wavemaker?
  3. What differentiates powerhead from a wavemaker?
  4. Do I need to turn off a wavemaker at night?
  5. Does high current affect my fish?
  6. Do guppy fish are affected by high current?
  7. How to select a wave maker for my aquarium?
  8. Do Tetras love water current?
  9. Do cichlids love current?
  10. Do fish love high water flow?
  11. Where to focus a wave maker in an aquarium?
  12. What is the best wavemaker for my 400 Liter Aquarium?
  13. Does my freshwater aquarium require a wavemaker for circulating water?

 

  • Benefits of Wavemaker in Aquarium

  1. Wavemakers provide a natural environment to your fish
  2. Wavemakers keep fish healthy
  3. Wavemakers are used for oxygenating water
  4. Avoid excess of debris using a wavemaker
  5. Wavemakers are used for providing food to living décor
  6. Wavemakers are beneficial for small fish

 

  • How to setup a wavemaker in tank

  1. 1 Filter & 1 Wavemaker
  2. 1 Filter & 2 Wavemakers
  3. 2 Filters & 2 Wavemakers


  • Conclusion


How to position a wavemaker in aquarium
How to position a wavemaker in aquarium


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Wavemakers:

In this post, I have answered many frequently asked questions (FAQs) about wavemakers. Have a look at them:

 

1. How do wavemakers work?

Wavemakers are used for turning on & off multiple pumps at fixed timings. By adding submersible pumps at different places in your tanks, the wavemaker alternates power to these pumps, which copies the natural ocean waves.

 

2. What are the problems with using a wavemaker?

The major issue with wave makers is that they produce strong water current in aquariums & it could blow away your fish which can stress them. Make sure you do not use a wave maker that produces a very high current or use lower settings of the wave maker to lower the strength of waves.

 

3. What differentiates powerhead from a wavemaker?

Powerheads are used for directing current in a single uniform direction while wavemakers are able to make waves that spread out & provide better circulation than a powerhead.

 

4. Do I need to turn off the wavemaker at night?

In rivers & streams, water keeps flowing at night, so you can leave your wave maker on at night with no problem, but choosing night mode of the wave maker is a good option, because it reduces the power when you switch off the lights in your room.

 

5. Does high current affect my fish?

If your fish are healthy then they will be able to swim against high current. If your tank water is moving extremely fast then it could blow away the fish that come in its way which can stress fish & also small fish are affected by very high current. A good idea is to buy a wave maker according to your tank requirement.

 

6. Do guppy fish are affected by high current?

Yes, because guppy is a small fish & it can’t stand in the way of current. Another reason is that guppies in the wild live-in lakes, ponds & rivers, with slow water currents.

 

7. How to select a wave maker for my aquarium?

Most 40-gallon aquariums are normally 3 to 4 feet long. For that size aquarium, if you want to achieve 20 to 30X turnover rate which is according to the rule of thumb, then either you can install a single wave maker that generates 800 to 1200 GPH. Or use 2 wave makers that generate 400 to 600 GPH individually.

 

8. Do Tetras love water current?

If you provide a resting place for your tetras & use water current then they will love that environment.

 

9. Do cichlids love current?

If you add cichlids that are caught from the lake then they do not require high water flow like rivers. Point up your wave maker towards the surface of water which can help enhance the conversion of carbon dioxide & oxygen at the water surface.

 

10. Do fish love high water flow?

Although little fish can have problems with strong water current, if you have larger fish in your aquarium then they will love strong water flow.

 

11. Where to focus a wave maker in an aquarium?

Point your wave maker from the middle to upper parts of your tank & do not point it towards lower parts because it will blow up your aquarium substrate with its strong current.

 

12. What is the best wavemaker for my 400 Liter Aquarium?

The best wave maker for a 400 Liter aquarium is SM-402 wavemaker which can move 24000 Liter / Hour using its 2 powerheads, & it is recommended for aquariums that hold 250 to 400 Liters of water.

 

13. Does my freshwater aquarium require a wavemaker for circulating water?

Moving water eliminates germs in marine aquariums. It is very important to move water in freshwater tanks too because dead spots make it simple for dirt to accumulate & form sludge. People think that wave makers are important for marine aquariums but they are required for freshwater aquariums too.

 

Benefits of Wavemaker in Aquarium:

Many fish owners think that strong waves will uproot their live plants & could affect their growth. Also, it could stress their small fish. However, there are many advantages of using a wavemaker in aquariums which can outnumber its disadvantages. Have a look at benefits of wavemaker in aquarium:

 

1. Wavemakers provide a natural environment to your fish:

A wavemaker will provide a natural appearance to your aquarium. Many aquarists use live plants & produce bubbles in water to offer a realistic look to their aquariums. Adding a wavemaker in large aquariums will offer a natural look & fish will be happier because their tank environment will be mimicking the wild. Tall plants will move fluidly with water currents. Also add tank lights & decorations to beautify your tank.

 

2. Wavemakers keep fish healthy:

It is important to offer a natural environment for better health of your aquarium inhabitants. Fish like moving against water currents & enjoy when water is moving around them. A wave maker can keep your fish healthy. Fish like waves & wavemakers are advantageous for their mood. If you provide a natural home to your fish then they won’t feel that they are living in a strange region.

 

3. Wavemakers are used for oxygenating water:

Wavemakers are used for moving water in aquariums because there are regions where you won’t observe water movement & hence it will have less oxygen as compared to other areas. If you add a wave maker then it will make sure that your aquarium offers a healthy home for inhabitants.

 

4. Avoid excess of debris using a wavemaker:

You can avoid the collection of debris using a wavemaker since there are regions away from water flow. Such regions will accumulate more waste, leftover food & debris even if you have a filter. It will cause increased levels of nitrates in aquariums if you do not clean it frequently which seems highly toxic to your aquarium inhabitants.

 

5. Wavemakers are used for providing food to living décor:

Wavemakers are used for aiding living décor including shells or coral to receive nutrition that they require. They can get food only if water is moving & if water is not moving then they will not endure.

 

6. Wavemakers are beneficial for small fish:

Wavemakers will provide a better, & beautiful surrounding to your little fish. They can learn how to endure in different conditions & will have better health as compared to the fish that are living in slow moving water. Wavemakers will move tall plants in all directions which will create hiding spots for your fish.


How to setup a wavemaker in tank:


Position of wavemaker in aquarium
Position of wavemaker in aquarium


A wavemaker can make a circulation pattern of water flow in your aquarium to avoid any dead spots. Position your wavemaker correctly to make a circular pattern of water flow. Position your wave maker towards the top of the aquarium to circulate water & this way fish waste, debris & leftover food will be forced to leave the substrate & filter will trap them.

If you have one wavemaker & one filter. Then make sure it is positioned high enough in the aquarium. When you angle it up then it will break the surface tension & make waves. This will add oxygen in your aquarium water.

In this video you will learn how & where to install a wavemaker in fish tank:


How to install a wavemaker in fish tank


1. 1 Filter & 1 Wavemaker:

If you want to know where to install your wavemaker then choose the side where your filter intake is located. Best position of the wavemaker is on the top of the aquarium to oxygenate water. For example, if your wavemaker & filter intake is located on the right side of the aquarium. Wavemaker will push water from right to left towards the top & it will suck water from the bottom left to right side which will force debris, leftover food & fish waste to move along with the water & it will be sucked by the filter intake. This will also make a circular flow of water in your aquarium.

 

2. 1 Filter & 2 Wavemakers:

If you have 2 wavemakers in your aquarium. Then add another wave maker on the bottom left side of the aquarium. Water is pushed across the top from right to left side. Once it hits the left side, & it goes down then it will catch the second wave maker which will push it across the bottom back towards the right side.

 

3. 2 Filters & 2 Wavemakers:

If you have 2 filters, each located on opposite sides of aquariums & 2 wavemakers, then make sure that one is connected at top & another one at bottom. Ensure that the filter output is pushing the water in the same direction as the wave maker located on the same side. It will create the same circular water flow in the aquarium.

 

Conclusion:

Wavemakers will keep your inhabitants active & will encourage young fish to swim. If your tank is aesthetically appealing then you will love & maintain it well. Everyone wants to have a beautiful aquarium with lots of colorful fish living in a natural environment. Without a wavemaker, you can’t provide a pure natural look that water waves can offer. Add living fauna, decorations, rocks, & structures to your aquarium. Turn on a wave maker to aerate your aquarium & keep your fish happy & healthy.

Post a Comment

Previous Post Next Post