what is the diffrence betweween a power head and a wave maker?

im sure we all know what a powerhead is but i've recently seen some wave maker on ebay and i would like to know what is better

cgi.ebay.com.au/NEW-Submersible-Aquarium...;hash=item2eaf7b060a

That looks like it just creates a current in the tank, whereas many power heads can be used to operate pumps, under gravel filters etc. I don't really see much point or advantage in having a wave maker in an Oscar tank. They may be advantageous if you want to disturb solid waste so the filters pick it up, maybe if you are using a sump for instance.

so they are pretty much the same thing?

Negative, they are not the same thing.

Wave makers were made specifically with the intention to do just what their name says...make waves. That's not saying your tank is going to have a tsunami in it, they were built for fish that need a current to live in. Prime example would be a lot of coastal dwelling fish.

Powerheads, while they may create a current and disturb the water, are not wave makers. Like OFL said, they are much more useful.

I would suggest powerheads if you're using Oscars, as Oscars in the wild tend to dwell away from the currents under roots and rocks.

Basically yes, they are the same thing. Power heads can be used to create currents in the water, or they can be used as pumps. However, when you are running a large sump filter like I do, I am using an Eheim pump, it is not a powerhead. Powerheads are normally small pumps, not suitable for running big systems.

i must say i was thinking of using one for moving solid debris towards the overflow.
i see those wavemakers a lot in saltwater tanks, to create a steady current, which is nescesary for live rock to do it's job the best way possible.

I can tell you Hun, I have 3 of these cgi.ebay.com/5000L-H-AQUARIUM-POWERHEAD-...;hash=item2c56919c8e In my house, My Oscars love it as do my cat fish... But my only mission with it was to place near the bottom to help push the crap off of the gravel and into the inlet!

I would buy again.!

Nicki--Sue wrote:


I have 1 too, and some more to consider. wave makers are less than half the running cost of a power head as an propeller is cheaper to run in water than a pump(powerhead). heat is used to warm the water so your heater dosen't need to do so much work.

I would buy another one. but a pump power head is more useful. I have 2 filters 1 small pump powerhead and a wave maker, the wave maker is far more efficent at making a current, even more so than 2 fx5's. I don't vac as often now.

another idea to throw out there.... I have a supplemental powerhead that has a filter attached to it - not only does it make extra current in the water, but it does a nice job of providing some additional water polishing.

i just wanted to add something to my tank to give an extra current and push all the waste closer to my filters intake.

I used to have power head filter in my tank providing current and extra filtration but i had pull it apart to use for parts.
thanks for all the info

I have a 75 gallon tank with a rena xp3. There are two 3.5 inch oscars and a pleco in it. I was thinking of putting either a Koralia Evo 550 or 750 (GPH) powerhead in it to assist in debris breakdown and a little current for the fish. But many oscar owners here suggest that more filtration is the way to go. So I looked and found that the eheim 2213 only uses 8 watts power consumption (only as much or even less than a powerhead). I just want to know which you think would be more beneficial for my oscars - more current or more filtration.

I'm sure that you'd been told that 75 gallons will not be big enough for two adult Oscars, plus a pleco? I really can't see any benefit with just adding a powerhead, okay it might stir things up a little bit, but you're going to add this type of equipment, you might as well put in a filter, after all your fish will probably benefit from it as they get bigger