Wave maker

[kp33]

Is there a difference between a wave maker, and a powerhead. I see on Amazon they have a powerhead called Hydor coralia, they are cheap so I’m afraid you get what you pay for. What is a good wave maker or powerhead that won’t break the bank but does a good job moving water. I see jebao is getting good reviews. My tank is. 90. Thanks

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

Is there a difference between a wave maker, and a powerhead. I see on Amazon they have a powerhead called Hydor coralia, they are cheap so I’m afraid you get what you pay for. What is a good wave maker or powerhead that won’t break the bank but does a good job moving water. I see jebao is getting good reviews. My tank is. 90. Thanks

Koralias are pretty good actually. But for a 90, I'd recommend a couple Jebaos.

 

[kp33]

Which model jebaos? How many for a 90, also is there a difference between a power head and wave maker?

 

[kp33]

I see the sow 20 is rated for 90-120 but doesn’t say how much it turns over. I assume one is enough for a 90?

 

[Idech]

Koralias are good pumps.
The way I understand it, wave makers are built to have an up and down effect. They will move water from top to bottom. Sometimes a single one on top of the tank can be enough.

Whereas powerheads have a linear effect on water movement. They will move water from left to right in different ways as they can sometimes be angled.

To complicate things, some manufacturers will call powerheads « wave makers ». So it can be rather confusing.

 

[kp33]

Ah I see makes sense .

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

I believe a power head is just on or off - one speed. While wavemakers have several modes/speeds.
One Jebao will likely be fine, but if you later want to add a second, you can program them to run opposite of each other and push/pull the water back and forth.

 

[kp33]

I’m looking at the Nero 5..0 as well I hear that’s a good one

 

[Pvtgloss]

I’m looking at the Nero 5..0 as well I hear that’s a good one

I love my nero 5. I have heard a lot of bad reviews, but you get that with anything.

 

[kp33]

I love my nero 5. I have heard a lot of bad reviews, but you get that with anything.

Yeah that’s true it’s about $220 on Amazon now on there it’s called a powerhead not a wave maker but it does different types of wave motion correct?

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

Yeah that’s true it’s about $220 on Amazon now on there it’s called a powerhead not a wave maker but it does different types of wave motion correct?

Honestly I think the names are interchangeable at this point.

 

[kp33]

I have hydor now will I notice a difference in water quality and parameters if I go with either nero or jeboa?

 

[Idech]

I believe a power head is just on or off - one speed.

Not necessarily. You can have DC ones that are programmable, like the AI Nero serie.

 

[kp33]

So is a wave maker or powerhead better and what’s the difference

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

So is a wave maker or powerhead better and what’s the difference

You'll have to look at each one individually. A Google search turned up this: "A fish tank powerhead typically shoots a narrow jet of water in one direction, whereas a wave maker is meant to imitate the back-and-forth motion of ocean waves."
But as others have pointed out, some companies use the names interchangeably.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

For a 90, I'd recommend a "wave maker", i.e. not a Maxi Jet type that just shoots a narrow stream of water

 

[kp33]

You'll have to look at each one individually. A Google search turned up this: "A fish tank powerhead typically shoots a narrow jet of water in one direction, whereas a wave maker is meant to imitate the back-and-forth motion of ocean waves."
But as others have pointed out, some companies use the names interchangeably.

Ah ok, the Nero says it’s a powerhead does anyone know if that does the straight stream or back and forth like the ocean

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

Ah ok, the Nero says it’s a powerhead does anyone know if that does the straight stream or back and forth like the ocean

Look it up. I'm sure there is a good description on the website