Wavemaker for 20gallons

Harry g

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Would you rather run two wavemakers in a 20 gallon regular or one big wavemaker if you would run two wavemakers which ones would you use and how would you place them? I’ve been looking at buying two slw-3 for my 20 gallon mixed reef and I would like recommendations or advice on this.
20251210_164052_2ECF0068-F4F9-4723-9BFA-707D4D39B3C3.png
 

penfold2

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I love these Nero style pumps on small tanks. The flow is so wide and gentle that you can move all the water in the tank without worrying about stripping the flesh off of nearby corals. I have two DLW-20 pumps in my IM25g Lagoon (24x16 display footprint) pointing at each other from each side, running at 40% classic wave mode. I have an acro about 4-5" in front of one of the pumps and it seems perfectly happy. I think you'll do best with two pumps in order to create more chaotic flow, but you could try one first and see.
 
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Harry g

Harry g

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I love these Nero style pumps on small tanks. The flow is so wide and gentle that you can move all the water in the tank without worrying about stripping the flesh off of nearby corals. I have two DLW-20 pumps in my IM25g Lagoon (24x16 display footprint) pointing at each other from each side, running at 40% classic wave mode. I have an acro about 4-5" in front of one of the pumps and it seems perfectly happy. I think you'll do best with two pumps in order to create more chaotic flow, but you could try one first and see.
I was thinking about putting one where the yellow is and than replacing the one on the right with the same one and than setting them both to pulse mode, is that similar to what you have setup, I think my tank has similar dimensions to yours.

20251210_172047_2BDA3792-A797-4302-B631-58E285B89652.png
 

penfold2

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Yup, that's my setup. I have the larger 10,000 l/h versions, but I only run them at 40%. When my branching sps (hopefully) begin to fill in the center area I'll have plenty of headroom to turn them up. I positioned the right one at the back corner so that I have more viewing area on the right side, but the flow spreads out nicely.
Overhead.jpg
 
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Harry g

Harry g

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Yup, that's my setup. I have the larger 10,000 l/h versions, but I only run them at 40%. When my branching sps (hopefully) begin to fill in the center area I'll have plenty of headroom to turn them up. I positioned the right one at the back corner so that I have more viewing area on the right side, but the flow spreads out nicely.
Overhead.jpg
Nice! Looks like those wavemakers are going on my Christmas list.
 

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