Christian Posted August 20, 2009 Share Posted August 20, 2009 I was wondering how do you make your tank water sway back and forth like in the ocean or sea? for corals like Gorgonians. How do you make plankton in your tank with out a refugiam O, also what is a wave box? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NonSequitur Posted August 20, 2009 Share Posted August 20, 2009 A wave box is one of the ways you can make your tank water sway back and forth. Essentially it is a box with a powerhead that is cycled on and off. When the powerhead is on, a surge of water is pumped from the box into the tank. When the powerhead cycles off, tank water flows back into the box through the powerhead opening. The whole contraption is controlled by a timer that allows you to adjust the frequency of the cycles. When it's all set up correctly, it can create a pretty impressive wave in the tank. I think there's a thread in the DIY section about building one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robb in Austin Posted August 20, 2009 Share Posted August 20, 2009 You can generate a wave a number of ways: wavebox(see Tunze), powerheads on a timer/driver(see Koralia or Vortech), or a surge device. Google all of the above for more details. Dunno about plankton. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted August 20, 2009 Author Share Posted August 20, 2009 Ok kool I'll look in to that it might be peaty interesting to have in my 55 gallon tank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NonSequitur Posted August 20, 2009 Share Posted August 20, 2009 Here's a video of a clear acrylic wavebox so you can see how it works.. pretty simple, really: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted August 20, 2009 Author Share Posted August 20, 2009 that is a kool video but I don't really want that much of a sway in the water I would be afraid that it would splash out of the tank and all over the floor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zarathustra2 Posted August 20, 2009 Share Posted August 20, 2009 For the plankton you really want a refugium. You also want to let your live rock lie fallow (no predators) for a long time before you start adding fish ect. I've read a good number of european sites that say to not add any carnivores for a year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted August 21, 2009 Author Share Posted August 21, 2009 Is there a way to make my wet-dry filter in to a light less refugium? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zarathustra2 Posted August 21, 2009 Share Posted August 21, 2009 Hmmm, A refugium by definition needs light as you would be growing macro algae in it. I have seen a lot of mods to make a refugium out of a wet/dry. That being said, the light you need you can get just from home depot in the electronics section for maybe 20$ with a bulb that macro will like a lot. Generally you want a plant growing bulb at 6500K. Get a screw in type and pick up one of the cheap worklights. This is the same setup I have and it works great. You could make a deep sand bed bucket type system but would not get planktonic benifits. It would just be for the removal of nitrates. Not a bad goal at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted August 21, 2009 Author Share Posted August 21, 2009 ok, instead of making another topic i will ask here. how much calcium should be in a tank with out stony corals? And if I add stony corals to the tank will it bring down the amount of calcium. I have lights from my 20g tank that I was making rimless but it broke so I made one of my 10g rimless and it's sitting dry on my dresser right now but I might put my clowns in it because they are being mean to my other fish. ( the clowns in my 55g tank.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zarathustra2 Posted August 21, 2009 Share Posted August 21, 2009 400-450 is natural seawater and reccomended for all saltwater tanks. You should get a good 2 part supplement with a magnesium add on to manage it in most small tanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted August 21, 2009 Author Share Posted August 21, 2009 How much does a calcium tester cost and what is a 2 part supplement? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Daniel Posted August 22, 2009 Share Posted August 22, 2009 How much does a calcium tester cost and what is a 2 part supplement? I have had good experiences with Salifert's Calcium test kits and many people use the B-Ionic 2 Part (there are other equally effective options out there). Daniel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
renman303 Posted August 22, 2009 Share Posted August 22, 2009 Bulk Reef Supply's 2-part system is the most cost effective that I've found. I am having great results with this in the past month. About 1/4 the cost of B-Ionic! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zarathustra2 Posted August 24, 2009 Share Posted August 24, 2009 Something I just found out. Aquatec sells bulk 2 part if you bring in your own bottles. I think it might be the brand from bulk reef supply but don't remember right now. (Sorry been moving all day and about ready to crash.) Anyways, its like 4$ for a half gallon bottle refill. Ask them about it the next time you are there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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