Wavemaker suggestions for nano

[GothFishKeeper]

I have a fluval evo 13.5g and I’m in desperate need of a wavemaker because no matter how much I wipe it off, algae keeps building up on my rock and bubbles keep getting trapped under it which is super ugly. It also keeps building on my sand to the point that it looks like ugly dark green tentacles coming out of it. It just continues to settle again and again. I picked up a tiger sand conch and four nassarius snails but the snails seem to be kind of lazy and the conch can’t keep up with the growth. I need the algae to find its way to the filter without settling. I’d prefer to not spend hundreds on a powerhead at the moment so any suggestions on a reasonably priced, decently performing wavemaker would be much appreciated. Thanks!

 

[mikst]

I use sunsun jvp110 circulation pumps in quite a few of my freshwater tanks. They're 528gph and pretty compact. Available on Amazon. Aquaneat also has some that are 480gph and it's more diffuse output. Both are super cheap and I've had them running for a looong time.

You can angle the flow on a swivel head for both. They're not like some wave makers that point in one direction only.

 

[steveschuerger]

I have a fluval evo 13.5g and I’m in desperate need of a wavemaker because no matter how much I wipe it off, algae keeps building up on my rock and bubbles keep getting trapped under it which is super ugly. It also keeps building on my sand to the point that it looks like ugly dark green tentacles coming out of it. It just continues to settle again and again. I picked up a tiger sand conch and four nassarius snails but the snails seem to be kind of lazy and the conch can’t keep up with the growth. I need the algae to find its way to the filter without settling. I’d prefer to not spend hundreds on a powerhead at the moment so any suggestions on a reasonably priced, decently performing wavemaker would be much appreciated. Thanks!

Nassarius are carnivore/detrivores. They don’t eat algae. Same with the conch. They will however stir up your sand which is helpful . Go to reef cleaners . https://www.reefcleaners.org/
They can get you set up with a clean up crew (cuc) for your size tank. As far as wavemakers go get a lower volume one from Jebao. They make solid, relatively inexpensive wave pumps of all kinds.

 

[Townes_Van_Camp]

Hygger Mini or Jeabo slw-10 (maybe the slw-5 but the only one I ordered didn't work).

Regardless, both of those on a low frequency pulse would be great. As with any power head, periodic cleaning of the internal will greatly increase their reliability.

 

[sharkbait-uhaha]

I have the Hygger Mini in my wb 10g and its a pretty solid wave maker when it doesn't get "error7"

 

[TangerineSpeedo]

When I had my 13.5 I ran this with two pumps (current USA) Never had a problem with them. In another nano I ran the Hygger pump

eFlux LOOP Wave Pump 660 GPH (Complete Kit) - Current USA

Shop The Best Saltwater Aquarium Equipment & Supplies at Saltwater Aquarium. We Carry Everything you will Need for your Fish Tank.

www.saltwateraquarium.com

 

[Townes_Van_Camp]

I have the Hygger Mini in my wb 10g and its a pretty solid wave maker when it doesn't get "error7"

Clean it and that won't happen. I have to bust the coraline algae off of mine pretty often otherwise I get the same code. But any organic goop will cause it.

 

[sharkbait-uhaha]

Clean it and that won't happen. I have to bust the coraline algae off of mine pretty often otherwise I get the same code. But any organic goop will cause it.

Brand new out of the box error7, then it got to a point to where it was every other day . I contacted Hygger and they sent a replacement and again right out of the box error7 .
I did how ever come to a conclusion that if you get any little spec/grain of sand under impeller it will auto error7 and not work till you get the grain out.

 

[steveschuerger]

Brand new out of the box error7, then it got to a point to where it was every other day . I contacted Hygger and they sent a replacement and again right out of the box error7 .
I did how ever come to a conclusion that if you get any little spec/grain of sand under impeller it will auto error7 and not work till you get the grain out.

My Nero pumps are almost that sensitive. I had a friend 3D print guards that work well but every so often they need a thorough cleaning .

 

[Townes_Van_Camp]

Brand new out of the box error7, then it got to a point to where it was every other day . I contacted Hygger and they sent a replacement and again right out of the box error7 .
I did how ever come to a conclusion that if you get any little spec/grain of sand under impeller it will auto error7 and not work till you get the grain out.

That's pretty wild. Mine only go bonkers if they get filthy. I think early on I had a couple of unexplained err7's. But since then, only if I let it get filthy.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

My 15 gallon has a pair of sicce voygager nano's, I find them perfect for small tanks. The flow stream is not narrow and strong, its a broad/wide flow that doesn't flow too hard but eliminates all dead spots.

 

[mikst]

Hygger Mini or Jeabo slw-10 (maybe the slw-5 but the only one I ordered didn't work).

Regardless, both of those on a low frequency pulse would be great. As with any power head, periodic cleaning of the internal will greatly increase their reliability.

Is this the hygger mini you're talking about (hygger Mini Wave Maker for 5~20 Gallon Aquarium with Magnetic Mount Quiet Powerhead for Saltwater and Freshwater Fish Tank 530GPH https://a.co/d/009n9ixL)

That's kinda nice with the magnetic base instead of suction cup. Similar flow rates to the ones I suggested.

 

[william Lutman]

I run MP-10HD in my 15 and just turn it down. I like the controllability

 

[ravila101]

When I had my Fluval 13.5 I simply got a Fluval cp1 Wavemaker from petco. Didn’t want to spend big bucks but wanted something cheap and good and it still runs pretty good after having it for some years.

 

[RaymondL]

When I had my Fluval 13.5 I simply got a Fluval cp1 Wavemaker from petco. Didn’t want to spend big bucks but wanted something cheap and good and it still runs pretty good after having it for some years.

You didn't find the CP1 too powerful on your EVO?

 

[NanoNana]

Hygger Mini or Jeabo slw-10 (maybe the slw-5 but the only one I ordered didn't work).

Regardless, both of those on a low frequency pulse would be great. As with any power head, periodic cleaning of the internal will greatly increase their reliability.

Hygger mini is probably too much for that tank. Even on low it will blow corals off frags and dig trenches. Hygger makes one with half the gph which would probably be better it’s not as low profile but it has a directional head. I have to be very careful with the mini in a 24 gallon cube.

 

[Formulator]

Lots of good suggestions here. Lets talk about your algae though. “Stringy with bubbles” sounds a lot like dinoflagellates, which may require addition mitigation actions to resolve. Flow is a good start though. Do you have a photo?

 

[NanoNana]

Brand new out of the box error7, then it got to a point to where it was every other day . I contacted Hygger and they sent a replacement and again right out of the box error7 .
I did how ever come to a conclusion that if you get any little spec/grain of sand under impeller it will auto error7 and not work till you get the grain out.

There may be a burr in the hole the fan post goes in. If you put the impeller into the hole and turn by hand, you’ll feel it. I glued a tiny piece or 1000 grit to the head of a tiny screwdriver and sanded it smooth. Haven’t had a single error since except once when a piece of aggregate found its way in the same hole.

 

[ravila101]

You didn't find the CP1 too powerful on your EVO?

It was actually perfect for it, there was times I even thought it wasn’t strong enough for some of my corals lol I also had a random flow generator on my evo

 

[MoshJosh]

I have the small Jebao (SW-5 maybe) in my Fluval flex 9 and I am happy with it!