10 Best Aquarium Wave Makers

1. Current USA EFlux Wave Pump - fully adjustable

2. Fluval Hagen Sea Circulation Pump - efficient and compact

3. MP10W QD Ecotech Marine Wireless Wavemaker - Amazing for reef aquariums

4. Hydor Koralia Evolution Circulation Pump - Low energy consumption

5. Icecap 1K Gyre Aquarium Flow Pump - Provides great flow

6. Jebao SOW Wave Maker Flow Pump - excellent pump

7. Maxspect XF330 Gyre Pump - Ideal For 25 - 100+ Gallon Aquariums

8. Sicce Voyager 2 Power Stream Pump - circulation pump is very quiet

9. SUN JVP Series Submersible Powerhead - quiet and powerful

10. Tunze USA Nano Stream Propeller Pump - quiet and good controller

What Are Wavemakers?

Fish will not remain stationary while they are in your tank. Nor will your water.

For your water to help your fish thrive, you will need to keep it moving from end to end.

Think about the natural habitat that your fish comes from. The water is usually moving, even if you cannot see the current. Your fish are accustomed to this movement and will adjust to it.

Wavemakers help keep your water flowing and create an undercurrent that prevents stagnation and debris or waste from settling.

What Types Of Aquarium Wave Makers Are Available?

Not all wavemakers are created equal. What works for one aquarium may not work for another.

To help you determine precisely what you need, the four main types of wavemakers are below.

1.  Filtration Pumps

Filtration pumps utilize high pressure to help overcome the resistance of your filter and bio balls or other media. The higher strength allows water to be forced through your filter media and circulated back out into the tank.

2. Circulation pumps

Circulation pumps differ from filtration pumps in that they do not have a media to force water through. Instead of using high pressure to push water through the foam blocks, circulation pumps will take water in through the inlet and push it out through the outlet. This constant flow creates circulation in your system, hence the name circulation pumps.

3. powerheads

   Powerheads are designed to move water at high-pressure rates but differ because they typically cannot be turned on an off. Sometimes, a diverter is used to help offset the higher flow associated with powerheads. These are useful for providing a smaller stream of pressurized water that can move over greater distances, in case you have a long tank.
   
   

4. wavemakers

Wavemakers are specifically designed to utilize a high amount of water at lower pressure rates.

Coupled with digital controls to help regulate the behavior, a wavemaker can create current in your tank that doesn’t interfere with plants or creates debris when the flow of water hits your substrate.

Why Do I Need A Wavemaker?

This is one of the biggest questions we see, and one of the easiest to answer. To give the issue the justice it deserves, we have included a list of the most common reasons people buy wavemakers for their tanks.

1. familiar environment

   It doesn’t matter where your fish and corals have come from; they are accustomed to having water moving around them. To give them that “homey” feel, you need to make sure the environment you are keeping them in resembles their home life.
   
   

2. helps your coral and inverts

   This is especially true when you are keeping coral and invertebrates in your tank. They require a consistent flow of water to collect food. Water moving around them is critical.
   
   

3. eliminates dead zones

Dead zones are areas in your tank that do not have current flowing through them. These dead zones are breeding grounds for unhealthy bacteria and allow waste from your fish to begin building. Guaranteeing that you do not have weak spots in your tank requires moving water.

4. adds Beauty

If you’re like so many other people, you probably started your tank to give yourself a new hobby.

It also helps that being able to sit and watch your tank after it has been constructed is incredibly tranquil. There’s a specific type of peace of mind that comes with sitting and watching moving fish and water.

A good wavemaker helps break up the monotony and adds a bit of beauty to every tank.

What Should I Consider Before Buying A Wavemaker?

We know that choosing the right equipment the first time is critical, especially if you are a beginner or you are working with a smaller budget.

Below is a list of the criteria we considered before making our recommendations for the best wavemakers and pumps in 2019.

1.  budget

   There’s a delicate balance between getting a deal and buying an inferior piece of equipment. We have weighed other options and compared them to the price being offered by the manufacturer to help come to a final decision in our list of recommendations.
   
   

2. installation

If installing the wavemaker is too hard to do, you might get frustrated and throw in the towel.

 To make sure that your hobby is enjoyable, we looked at the ease of installation and made sure that the wavemakers we recommended were suitable for both beginner and experienced aquarists, alike.



3. quality

Quality is critical. Low-quality equipment doesn’t work correctly, will quit working before you get your money’s worth, and could create hazardous situations in your tank.

 We’ve only recommended wavemakers that are from reputable manufacturers and ones that are constructed from high-quality materials.



4. Safety

   Adding electricity to water is a recipe for disaster in the wrong circumstances. We will only recommend products that are safe to use and have a reputation for providing years of service-free functioning to ensure your safety.
   
   

5.  Customer service

   If you do happen to have issues with the pump you have purchased, we want to make sure that you can quickly receive help with your problem. Companies that have a reputation for delivering quality customer service ranked higher in our list.
   
   

6. Compatibility

   Piecing together the equipment for your aquarium can be a frustrating experience. Before recommending a product, we made sure that it is compatible with many other types of equipment.
   
   

7. adjustability

   Finally, when it came to building our list of recommendations, we made sure that you were given the highest amount of adjustability compared to the price you are paying. Being able to adjust the flow rate of your pump is critical for dialing it into your specific setup.

Aquarium Wave Maker Frequently Asked Questions

Adding a wave maker to your tank may seem like a straightforward process, but we find most beginners end up having a ton of questions. Below are some of the most frequently asked questions to help make your buying decision easier to make.

Q: Is my wavemaker safe for marine environments?

As long as you are purchasing from a reputable manufacturer, you typically do not need to worry about whether your wavemaker is safe, or not. If you are buying a knockoff, you may find yourself having issues that could have been avoided.

One of the most common issues people face with their wavemaker is damaging the equipment and then wondering why it is creating a hazard. While a wavemaker isn’t necessarily a sensitive piece of equipment, handling it with care (since you’re installing electronics in water) is critical.

Q: Is my wavemaker powerful enough for my tank?

This is something you’ll need to compare based on your setup.

You can judge the power of the wavemaker and compare it against how many gallons you’re trying to move. If the wavemaker is too small for your more extensive setup, you’ll find there are dead zones that let debris buildup.

Most wavemakers will have a recommended rating on them to give you an idea of how many gallons of water they are designed to function with.

Q: Does a wavemaker create too much noise?

Noisy wavemakers may help put you to sleep, but, after a while, the noise will get annoying.

Some wavemakers are designed to be super-quiet while others will start out making zero noise and then begin to amplify as time goes on.

Investing in a quality wavemaker can help ensure you are getting one that won’t continuously vibrate against the glass of your tank.

Q: Are the magnets heavy enough?

The magnets that come with most wavemakers are strong enough to hold it in place and are usually designed to minimize vibration and noise.

However, if your glass is thicker than usual (15mm or thicker), you may find that you have a hard time keeping your wavemaker in place. Purchasing extra neodymium magnets can help secure it to your tank.

Q: Do I need to upgrade my wavemaker?

If you are upgrading your tank, especially the size of your tank, the chances are high that you will need to update your wavemaker, as well. If you are downsizing your tank, your existing wavemaker may be too intense for your new setup.

Properly sizing your wavemaker can help prevent a situation where you have too much current, or you are forcing your fish to work too hard.

Q: How long do they take to work?

The effects of installing a wavemaker in your system will be evident nearly immediately. However, for best results, you will want to wait at least 24 to 48 hours before you begin measuring the effects the new equipment is having on your aquascape.

Q: How often should I clean it?

Maintaining your equipment is critical to keeping it performing in tip-top shape. You will want to clean the wavemaker at least once every couple of months. This helps prevent the buildup of debris that could potentially damage the internals of your equipment.

Q: Will the electronics harm my fish?

Wavemakers are designed to be used in freshwater and saltwater environments. That means you do not have to worry about submerging the system into your tank, as long as you have purchased from a reputable manufacturer.

Q: Is the wavemaker big enough for my tank?

Before you purchase a new model, make sure you have verified the size of your tank and compared it to the recommended specifications on the wavemaker. There will be a general size recommendation based on the equipment you’ve purchased.

Q: Expensive vs. cheap, what’s the difference?

While a cheaper piece of equipment may seem better upfront, you will quickly realize that the pumps aren’t nearly as powerful.

Cheaper pumps also tend to quit working sooner, which means you will end up buying another one. Adding up the costs of replacing them means that you could have saved money, buying a slightly more expensive model in the beginning.

Q: Can I control my wavemaker wirelessly?

Some models are built to be used with external software to help monitor the system. If you want wireless controls, you should expect to pay more for the equipment than you will for a pump with fewer features.

Q: Magnets or suction cups, which is better?

This is a personal decision. In general, suction cups will help dampen the vibrations and minimize the noise being produced by your pump. Magnets will hold better, though.

If you are buying a powerful pump, you will want to use a combination of both magnets and suction cups. Many pumps come with both options out of the box.

Q: Are automatic settings a requirement?

This is something you’ll want to think about while you are planning your maintenance schedule.

If you are automating other parts of your maintenance, having automated features built into your wavemaker could be beneficial for you. However, if you enjoy doing the maintenance yourself, the automation could add to the price tag and take away from your experience.

Q: Is the cord going to be long enough?

Before buying, take a minute to measure the distance from your outlet or power strip to the inside of your aquarium. Knowing this distance and comparing it to the specification provided by the manufacturer will help you determine if the cord will be long enough.

Q: Is one wavemaker going to be enough?

The answer to this question depends significantly on the size and shape of your tank. For most people, a single wavemaker should be sufficient. However, if you have an extensive aquascape or a longer tank, you may need multiple wavemakers.

If you purchase one and find out that it isn’t enough, purchasing a second to install isn’t a major dealbreaker. This beats buying one that is too powerful and can’t be dialed back.

Q: In-tank or external? Which is better?

This depends on the amount of space you have available inside of the tank. If you have a large tank with a significant amount of space available, an in-tank setup may work for you.

However, if you are trying to conserve space inside of the tank, purchasing a wavemaker that sits on top of the tank could be a better decision.

Q: How much power is required?

The manufacturer will list the amount of power required to operate your new pump on the specifications sheet. Most pumps require between 8 watts to 30 watts of power.

Q: Should I get a pivoting wavemaker?

If you require a specific flow rate that moves water throughout your tank, a pivoting wavemaker will be a better buy. If you have a large number of plants or rocks, purchasing a pivoting wavemaker can help get water around the obstructions more easily.

Q: Will my fish get stuck in it?

Unless you are speaking specifically about small fry or newborn fish, you do not have to worry about your livestock getting stuck in your pump.

Q: Should the cable be in the tank?

For the most part, your cable will be ran outside of the tank. However, manufacturers know that your cord may end up inside the tank and have taken precautions to ensure it is safe.

As long as your equipment is not damaged, you do not need to worry about your cord or cable being located inside of the water.

Q: Should it be creating bubbles?

All aquariums can benefit from having bubbles injected into the water. These bubbles help deliver oxygen into the water. Smaller bubbles carry more oxygen than larger bubbles.

If your wavemaker isn’t producing enough bubbles for your liking, you can purchase an additional aerator or oxygenation pump to supplement the number of bubbles being generated.

So What’s The Best Aquarium Wave Maker In 2019?