hygger Mini Transparent Wave Maker 850 GPH

The hygger HG218 is a small 8W wave maker rated for a max flow of 850GPH. It is built for 20-80 gallon freshwater and saltwater tanks, and its body is clear with transparent blue blades, so it fades into the background instead of drawing the eye the way a black pump does.

Controller and wave modes

The controller has a digital display and simple buttons. You choose from 5 wave-making modes: pulse, sine, constant, random and cross-flow. Flow has 70 levels of adjustment and frequency has 95, which gives plenty of room to soften the current for long-finned fish or push it harder for corals that like movement.

• Feeding mode pauses flow for 9 minutes so food is not blown around
• Night mode drops to low flow after dark and returns to high flow in the day
• Linkage mode runs several pumps in sync

Mounting and direction

Two detachable magnetic bases and one arc-shaped rubber base come in the box. Moving the magnet into the arc base lets you set the pump head at an angle, so you can aim flow across the rockwork or up toward the surface. The magnet holds on glass up to 8mm thick.

Motor design

hygger uses an external rotor, a 4-blade magnetic impeller and a ceramic shaft. The maker lists noise at 25dB or less. It runs on a DC12V adapter, which keeps mains voltage out of the tank.

Where it makes sense

This is a good choice for a mid-size planted tank or a reef that needs a second flow point without a bulky pump in view. At 2.05 x 2.17 x 2.17 inches it tucks behind plants or rock. For a bigger tank, the hygger Lite wave maker for 50-120 gallons moves more water.

Care

Clear housings show algae and film quickly, so wipe the body during water changes and pull the impeller now and then to clear debris from the shaft.