FREESEA Magnetic Aquarium Wave Maker

The FREESEA wave maker is a circulation pump for 55-125 gallon tanks that holds to the glass with a magnet instead of a suction cup. FREESEA designs the mount for 15mm (0.6 inch) glass, which covers most rimless and standard aquariums in that size range. Its listed size is 1600 GPH.

Why a magnetic mount

Suction cups slip, lose grip as they age, and force you to reach into the tank every time you want to change the angle. A magnetic mount has an outer half and an inner half. To move the pump, you slide the outer magnet along the glass and the pump follows. Your hands stay dry and the aquascape stays put.

Handy moments to move it

• Turning flow away from the glass while you scrape algae
• Directing flow toward corals during target feeding
• Softening current while new fish settle in
• Finding the best spot after a rescape

Check your glass

Magnets are rated for a glass thickness. This one is made for 15mm glass. On much thinner glass the pull can be too strong and hard to slide; on thicker glass it may not hold. Measure before you buy, especially on acrylic or custom tanks.

Placement tips

Mount it high to ripple the surface or low to sweep detritus toward the filter intake. On a long tank, angle it along the back glass so the current loops around the front. Keep a calm zone for resting fish.

Cleaning

Pull the inner half, then clear the cage and impeller of algae and snails every few weeks to keep flow strong.

Compare

For smaller tanks, a suction cup unit like the AQUANEAT 480 GPH wavemaker costs less to run.

A quick tip for new owners: bring the two halves together slowly, with a cloth between the outer magnet and your fingers. Strong magnets snap shut hard and can pinch skin or chip glass if they jump the last few inches on their own.