Every aquarium will benefit from a wavemaker. Why? Because detritus builds up in the nooks and crannies of your aquarium. Without a wavemaker your water flow will always travel in the same path. Detritus will never get dislodged and will break down into nitrates (the favorite food of algae). Having water flow continually changing direction, like a wave, will dislodge the detritus so it can be collected in your filter or protein skimmer.
There are essentially three types of wavemakers:

1. RAMP UP / RAMP DOWN WAVEMAKERS
A ramp up / ramp down wavemaker slowly increases and reduces the flow of a powerhead at set intervals. This reduces wear and tear on the pumps and the impeller and is also quieter than the on/off wavemakers. It’s more natural and better emulates the flow in the ocean. This “natural” flow is superior for coral feeding as the various filter feeding corals in your aquarium have different ideal water flows for feeding.

With some of these sophisticated wavemakers you can also reduce flow when feeding fish, and you can emulate tidal changes.

The Rossmont Waver Wireless 2 Channel Controller works with Rossmont Mover Pumps to create ramp up / ramp down waves. It’s actually the only wavemaker of this type that uses AC rather than DC and is much more affordable than the competing DC wavemakers. The Waver is controlled through your smart phone or computer and is easy to set up. Please view the Rossmont Waver video to see how this all works.

The Rossmont Waver and Movers are currently on closeout (due to Rossmont exiting the North American market) and are being sold at a very, very reasonable price. We do have ample parts for these pumps and will handle the warranty for the pumps we sell.

The Neptune Systems Apex WAV Starter Kit is a DC ramp up / ramp down wavermaker that is similar to the Rossmont. You will need to have a Neptune Systems Controller for the WAV, and if you already have a Neptune Controller or are planning to buy one this is the best choice.

2. ON/OFF WAVEMAKERS
An on/off wavemaker essentially turns one or more pump on and off at intervals. By having pumps turning on and off, the water flows in different directions in the aquarium.

The Hydor Koralia SmartWave Circulation Pump Timer can control two Koralia Powerheads, turning them on/off at intervals every five seconds, ten seconds, fifteen seconds, etc. to create waves. Place a Koralia Powerhead in each back corner pointing down at a 45 degree angle.

At this time it's a bit difficult to get Hydor Koralia Powerheads as consumption is greatly outstripping production. You can use the Rossmont Mover Pumps instead. You won't get the sophisticated control of the Rossmont Waver , but the Hydor Koralia SmartWave Circulation Pump Timer is much more affordable.

3. GYRE GENERATORS
The IceCap Gyre Pumps and Maxspect Gyre Pumps are so unique they have their own category. The Gyre does not look like what we think of as a pump. They fit underneath the lip of the tank and are much less noticeable than a powerhead. The Gyre combines the “pump” with the controller.

The Gyre can be used in five modes: Constant Speed Mode, Pulsing Mode, Gradual Pulsing Mode, Random Mode & Alternating Gyre Mode.

Because of the extremely wide angle of the flow, the Gyres create a wave that really emulates what you would find in the ocean. This results in virtually zero dead spots and an even distribution of water throughout the aquarium.