Fluval 13.5 wave maker needed?

[nathrandle12]

I’m setting up a Fluval evo 13.5 tank which I plan to only have a pair of clowns and a hermit crab or 2.

Do I need a wavemaker in this tank? The one I have is way to powerful for the size tank and I feel if I’m not making a serious reef tank with all the hard to care for corals, do I need a wavemaker? Is the pump on this tank enough flow for 2 clowns?

 

[UNREEFER]

If I remember right the stock Fluval evo pump has very low flow. You can upgrade the pump like a small Sicce to a little faster gph and point the nozzle to make it skim the surface (ripples of the top of the water to help bring in oxygen to water). However you would likely want a wavemaker as well. They make mini ones. I used a Hydor Koralin Nano many years ago. It worked well. If I were to do it again today I would go with a Jebao/Jecod dmp-10 or if my budget was a tiny bit less a Jebao Slw-5 / slw-10. Both Jebao/Jecods are controllable dc wave makers to control the strength and it can also help make waves by turning off and on in optional pulses.

I would highly recommend you try out those small dc pumps as you can turn them down very low to your liking. I wouldn’t overpay for a fancy brand as well before anyone suggests one.


Another point you might be overlooking as well many other people do, if you have low or no flow sometimes called “dead spots” you will be dealing with things like Cyanobacteria and detritus getting stuck. Not being able to go through the overflow/filtation.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

Flow is not only for corals, its for overall tank health. Flow helps to keep the tank clean which keeps your fish healthy and helps avoid algae growth, flow helps with gas exchange and to help oxygenate the water. Personally I would get a small nano wavemaker.

 

[i cant think]

I’m setting up a Fluval evo 13.5 tank which I plan to only have a pair of clowns and a hermit crab or 2.

Do I need a wavemaker in this tank? The one I have is way to powerful for the size tank and I feel if I’m not making a serious reef tank with all the hard to care for corals, do I need a wavemaker? Is the pump on this tank enough flow for 2 clowns?

I’ve got a nano that is almost identical in design and don’t run a wavemaker but I also have a slightly stronger return pump than what the Evo comes with.
Currently I have it as a Macro and softie tank with no truly high flow loving corals but have been looking at a possible wave maker in the system. So I’d be interested in the answers to this thread. Also, the FTS of the tank. It’s got several gorgonians which would likely tolerate higher flow but they seem alright with the stronger return for now.

 

[Entity77]

Upgrade to hygger dc pump, 400 or 700 gph, generally no wave maker needed if you upgrade pump.

 

[ScottJ]

A random flow generator is always a good idea.
https://vividcreativeaquatics.com/product-spotlight/random-flow-generator/

 

[p1u5h13r4m24]

Flow is not only for corals, its for overall tank health. Flow helps to keep the tank clean which keeps your fish healthy and helps avoid algae growth, flow helps with gas exchange and to help oxygenate the water. Personally I would get a small nano wavemaker.

This is why I always suggest a protein skimmer as well. The hobby is starting to learn more about the importance oxygen has in our systems

 

[legate_gigas]

I have the hygger gyre style pump and it’s awesome in my 13.5. I tried the small jebao model but all of them were not functioning properly so I got the hygger brand.

 

[Adam_1992]

I have a random flow generator and a Nero3 at 30% in my Fluval Evo. I’ve put the Nero under the RFG. Is it overkill to have both?
I just put my clowns in and I noticed they swimming against the current then letting it take them - looked like they were playing..

 

[ScottJ]

I have a random flow generator and a Nero3 at 30% in my Fluval Evo. I’ve put the Nero under the RFG. Is it overkill to have both?
I just put my clowns in and I noticed they swimming against the current then letting it take them - looked like they were playing..

If the fish seem comfortable and the sand isn't blowing up a storm, should be ok. Try to point the flow in different directions so it's random inn the tank.

 

[IslaLei]

I have a sicce 1.0 fits perfect on chambers, w two random flow generator and i have a hygger 10gallon wavemaker from amazon, works perfect not too strong but good enough i have LPS and some zoas

 

[IslaLei]

I have a sicce 1.0 fits perfect on chambers, w two random flow generator and i have a hygger 10gallon wavemaker from amazon, works perfect not too strong but good enough i have LPS and some zoas

 

[t-roy]

Just sent this back, actually 2 of them. They rattle and hum making too much noise. It’s perfect otherwise