Comparison to other water movement devices

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Current Generators cannot do this! With the exception of very large Dump Buckets and Piston or bellows types of wave generators, there are no other wave generators available that actually produce waves in a reef aquarium. At the most, other devices could be called "current generators". Current Generators do play an important role in reef aquarium keepping. They can be used in combination with the Alternate Wave to add circulation from the display tank to external filtration. They can also be used to simulate the currents generated by tidal flow. Below are descriptions of some of the other types of wave generators (Current Generators):

Alternating Water Circulation
Rotating Pumps
Surge Buckets
Other

Alternating Water Circulation

One or more water pumps are turned on and off using a timing device. The ranges of timing devices are from the very simple on-off timer to a sophisticated schedule of operation controlled by a PC interface. The resulting water motion generated by these devices is basically a linear flow that is turned off and on. Water pumps designed to be turned on and off frequently can be very costly. Because of the type of flow water pumps produce, care must be used to not direct their output directly at live corals or other invertebrates in the aquarium. Many corals can be damaged if placed too close to the output of a strong water pump.

Here is a link to a timing device called the Natural Wave sold by Aquarium Systems.

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Rotating Pumps

A popular type of wave generator is one that rotates the output of the pump. This causes the water to be directed to different parts of the aquarium rather than just turning the pump on and off.

Richard Harker's Reviews of Ocean Currents and SeaSwirl

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Surge Devices

Surge devices are designed to transport water to holding area above the aquarium and then allow gravity to introduce the water back into the aquarium. Generally either a siphon or a float valve controls the reintroduction of the water. Although I have always prefered the siphon type surge devices, they do have two extreme disadvantages. Besides the fact that they tend to take up an awkward piece of realestate, mounted high above the aquarium, they tend to generate noise and introduce fine air bubbles into the water column. If not constructed or installed properly they also have a history of overflowing or not operating properly. The type of flow generated by surge devices is unidirectional.

Here is a link to a description and instructions on How To Build a Powerful Surge Device.

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Dump Buckets

A dump bucket is another type of surge device. It works by filling a bucket with water. As the level in the bucket reaches a certain point the bucket is over-balanced and spills the water into the aquarium. Among the challenges of using a dump bucket type of surge device is controlling the amount of air that enters the water column each time the bucket spills. (If properly sized a dump bucket is able to generate a limited amount of wave action in the aquarium.)

Piston or Bellows

These devices are generally used in large public aquaria. A piston or bellows is used to move large volumes of water back and forth. In addition to being more aesthetic than functional, these devices tend to be very expensive in construction as well as in operating cost and are generally not suited for more reasonably sized aquaria.

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Millard Reeves - Alternate Waves