View Full Version : Vortech MP40 or Tunze Wavebox - For wave Action?
Scungili
02/21/2009, 07:52 AM
Which one (people with experience only) can generate a better wave. Not necessarily bigger. I have a 6ft 180 gal and I can only place it at one long end. I don't want a big wave so I need the ability to adjust it down to a small sway of the tank. I've heard the the Tunze wavebox moves all areas of the tank. Isn't this also possible with the vortech set to wave action? Or is this special to the Wavebox only?
YE||0W TA|\|G
02/21/2009, 08:52 AM
I have (2) MP40W's on my 155 which is 6ft long as well.
Click on the red house to see video I have of my tank as its cycling.. I have the Vortechs running and giving a 2 - 3 inch wave on short pulse mode.
IMO I like the Vortechs because they sit on the outside and are not to bulky on the inside. But thats just mt 2 cents.
mario4254
02/21/2009, 08:59 AM
+1 on vortech
Scungili
02/21/2009, 10:06 AM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14447320#post14447320 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mario4254
+1 on vortech
Can I achieve a small wave action with only one mp40. My tank will be visible by 3 sides 1 short side and 2 long sides, the other short side of the 72x24x24 tank is inside the plumbing room. Therefore, I don't want any powerheads on any other side. I've seen on the Vortech website that you can achieve a wave action with only one on the long side. But can I do that on a 6' tank if I only want a small wave.
Second question, I heard that the wavebox generates a wave that is felt in every corner of every crevice of the tank. Is the same true for the waves you get from a pulsing powerhead without a box? If so, then why the boxes?
YE||0W TA|\|G
02/21/2009, 02:17 PM
Im sure you can achieve a some what of a wave motion but I think 2 of them would show best results, with just one MP40W you can probably just get the water moving. One MP40W does 1,000-3,000 GPH. The reason to have 2 of them is for more random water movement in the tank. The more random the better your off. You can get away with just using one but IMO 2 would be best.
In my 155 I see water flow through the entire tank. I dont see any dead spots what so ever. Both Vortech and Tunze are good I just Prefer the Vortech for its design and no wires in the tank, only the outside.
macreefster
02/21/2009, 02:46 PM
ive use two vortechs in my 3' long tank and while i love the flow, they can't duplicate the back and forth wave action of a wavebox. i'd suggest using both. the vortechs for strong flow and circulation and the wavebox for that awesome back and forth action. IMO you can't beat the wavebox for a true wavemaking action and you can't beat the vortechs for tons of wide flow.
Scungili
02/21/2009, 06:31 PM
I can't afford both right now, but I would like the back and forth action of the wavebox. Are you saying that the Vortechs set to pulse mode will produce a wave back and forth, but not throughout the tank? I've heard this before and I'm having trouble getting my head around it.
Just to be clear, Vortechs and Wavebox make waves. Back and forth like I've seen on the website. But the wavebox somehow gets the whole tank to move, where the Vortech not as much? Is this right?
Mike Murphy
02/21/2009, 07:40 PM
Bought a used wavebox for about $400 a year ago. No dead spots and I love the swaying motion of my star coral. Using on a 125.
Scungili
02/21/2009, 08:54 PM
I know, I've seen the swaying throughout the tank. Looks awesome! For 400 I'd buy one too... It's the $600 bucks that makes me really cringe.
I saw a page on someone that made one from a Tunze 6100 an acrylic box and some Radio shack parts. It worked just as good as the Wavebox and only cost him about $300. I can't find the page anymore... But it seemed like too much work. I don't trust myself with those little tiny electrical components and a solder gun...
Rouselb
02/22/2009, 11:24 AM
I use the Tunze wavebox, great swaying motion! You can get some really good deals in the selling forum. You just need to plan for having one, because they are large. Some new tank builds actually mount an external box on the side of the tank to hide them. Here you can see mine.
http://www.larryrouseii.com/Fish.htm
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