How do I choose a wave maker???

theclownshow · 2026-10-29T09:39:14-0400

I’m almost ready to put water in my 120 gallon build and putting together the final pieces of the puzzle.

A big part of that is deciding on wave makers. I’m looking for cheap wave makers for now because I am out of money to spend on premium products. It would be great to stay under $200 for 2 wave makers.

It will be a mixed reef tank. I don’t have a specific road map for coral but I am shooting for a total of over 4000 Gph combined.

I will for sure get wave makers with built in controller to set wave patterns.

What other features do you consider a must have?

get-salty · 2026-10-29T09:50:43-0400

IMO i wouldnt throw out $200 bucks and then buy something else later.

For a 120gal, I'd find a pre-owned RS Reefwave 25 or possibly the 45.
They are gyre type wave makers that is def 100% provide enough flow for your tank sz.

Chubbycat · 2026-10-29T10:00:53-0400

Even if I own 4 gyres, I will go for Jebao. I have a 300 g display with Acropora, DMP Jebao, or MCP Jebao been running smoothly and easy to clean the algea.

theclownshow · 2026-10-29T12:38:44-0400

get-salty said:
IMO i wouldnt throw out $200 bucks and then buy something else later.

For a 120gal, I'd find a pre-owned RS Reefwave 25 or possibly the 45.
They are gyre type wave makers that is def 100% provide enough flow for your tank sz.

I don’t think buying budget wave makers for $200 like Jebao is throwing money away. There are plenty of people that highly recommend them

torchcoral · 2026-10-29T12:47:11-0400

I have a 75 gallon (also four foot wide) mixed reef tank and use two Hygger HG-070 18 watt gyres and have been very pleased with them for the year or so I've had them. They make a 25 watt one that is 2,380 GPH. Everyone has differing opinions on this but I feel these are quality enough compared to what you'd spend on the fancy brands.

areefer01 · 2026-10-29T12:48:00-0400

theclownshow said:
I don’t think buying budget wave makers for $200 like Jebao is throwing money away. There are plenty of people that highly recommend them

It depends. If it breaks and you replace it, then it is throwing money away. Likewise if one buys a higher ticket item that breaks. There is a difference though in that some come with 5 year, end to end, warranties. Does that make them worth the price, I'll leave that for you to decide.

My take away is that you have a budget and need to stay within it. That is fine. Look at Jeabo DMP's. They are the clones of Ecotech MP series. You can do a search on this forum and get some reviews and sizing help.

Jebao also makes Tunze clones with their SOW lines. Also can do a search here and get some reviews and sizing.

I do not use either of the products so can't comment on how they perform. Good luck.

dank.reefer · 2026-10-29T12:53:51-0400

I have Jeboa's og wave pumps, Hygger's gyres, Sicce's x-streams, Maxspect gyre's, Icecap's FP-100's and gyres, Reef octopus octopulse.

really it depends on what you are trying to achieve. I have found that most 4ft long tanks, when new, can be run with a single gyre pump with out issue. If you just get a single gyre to start you can make decisions from there on what else you may or may not need.

dank.reefer · 2026-10-29T12:57:02-0400

I run this tank on a single 2k maxspect/icecap gyre and at times it seems to be over kill.

Edit: tank is 48" x 24" x 16" for reference

Batman222b · 2026-10-29T12:58:22-0400

Chubbycat said:
Even if I own 4 gyres, I will go for Jebao. I have a 300 g display with Acropora, DMP Jebao, or MCP Jebao been running smoothly and easy to clean the algea.

How many do you have in your tank?

dank.reefer · 2026-10-29T13:04:29-0400

This tank I run with 1 maxspect 4k gyre, 2 sicce xstream's, and 2 icecap FP 100's and it still isn't enough I am considering switching to just 4 gures acros the back wall. So it really depends on your setup and what you are trying to achieve.
For reference this tank is 48" x 24" x 12"

exnisstech · 2026-10-29T13:04:38-0400

I have a couple of jebao gyres and they do well. I also have one of the Jebao MP40 knock offs and am happy. Not on a budget I prefer tunze. Bullet proof with a 5 year warranty. On a budget I would look at the Jebao units.