Red Sea Reef Wave 45 - 15000 L/Hr

• Gyre cross-flow design – moves a broad, low-velocity mass of water rather than one narrow jet, so large tanks get even coverage instead of one hot spot.
• 10–100% adjustable intensity – dial it back for a heavily-stocked LPS tank, or run it flat out for SPS demanding strong turnover.
• Forward, reverse and alternating modes – forward flow runs roughly 3× stronger than reverse, so alternating mode genuinely shifts current direction rather than pulsing the same jet.
• ReefBeat app control – schedule up to 10 time-slots a day, or run one of Red Sea's preset wave programs from your phone.
• Feed mode – pauses flow for 30 minutes so food settles instead of blowing straight into an overflow.
• Multi-pump sync – group up to 3 ReefWave pumps for coordinated coverage across a long or wide display.
• Magnetic mount rated through glass or acrylic up to 20 mm thick – no drilling, no in-tank bracket, even on a thick-walled large tank.

Red Sea rates the ReefWave 45 for tanks from 60 cm to 200 cm along the mounting wall, at a maximum output of 15,000 L/h – double the 25's flow for roughly double the recommended tank length. Intensity is adjustable across the full 10–100% range from the ReefBeat app or the onboard controller. Forward flow is roughly three times stronger than reverse, which is what gives the alternating and randomised wave modes a genuine directional shift rather than a pulse on the same jet. Red Sea does not publish an intermediate flow-rate table between 10% and 100% – treat the percentage as the pump's own reference scale rather than a fixed L/h figure at each step.

On tanks toward the top of the 200 cm range, or on very wide tanks, two synced ReefWave 45 units at one end each generally gives more even coverage than a single unit pushed to its limit.

Both pumps share the same gyre design, app and control range – the difference is scale. Stay on the 25 for tanks up to about 120 cm; move up to the 45 once your tank runs longer than that, or where you'd rather run a larger pump at a lower percentage of its maximum output than a smaller pump flat out.

Suitable for large marine and freshwater aquariums from around 60 cm up to 200 cm, including big SPS-dominated reefs that need strong, randomised turnover. Not intended as a return pump or for plumbed-in filtration – it's a standalone circulation pump, mounted directly in the display, and it's more pump than a small or lightly-stocked tank needs.

Rated power consumption is 8–45 W depending on intensity. Run continuously at the full 45 W output, that works out to approximately 394 kWh a year – around $118 a year at a flat 30c/kWh – though most large tanks run the pump well below full intensity most of the time, so actual running cost is typically lower. Red Sea describes the pump as near-silent but does not publish a decibel rating.

Runs from the included external DC power supply – keep the power pack itself out of the aquarium and any splash zone. As with any mains-powered aquarium equipment, run it through an RCD-protected circuit.

Rinse the wet-side impeller assembly periodically and check it turns freely – salt creep and detritus are the usual cause of a noisy or reduced-flow pump on a large tank running long hours. Red Sea sells a dedicated service pack of wear parts for periodic maintenance on the ReefWave range.

Pairs with a second ReefWave 45 for synced flow across a long tank, or with a ReefWave 25 at the opposite end of a large display for layered flow patterns.

24-month manufacturer warranty from date of purchase, non-transferable beyond the original purchaser, in addition to your rights under Australian Consumer Law. Large-item parcel freight – check delivery timeframes at checkout for your postcode.

Is the ReefWave 45 overkill for a 4-foot tank?

Not necessarily – a 4-foot tank sits at the top of the ReefWave 25's range and the bottom of the 45's. If you want headroom to run at a lower percentage rather than a smaller pump flat out, the 45 is a reasonable choice; if budget is tight, the 25 will cover a 4-foot tank comfortably.

Do I need Red Sea's controller, or does the app run it alone?

The controller and DC power module are included and required to run the pump; the ReefBeat app connects to that controller over WiFi for scheduling and remote control.

Can I run two ReefWave 45 units on one large tank?

Yes – Red Sea's multi-pump sync supports grouping up to 3 pumps together via the app, which is the usual approach for tanks at the top of the 45's range or for very wide displays.

What's the difference between forward and reverse flow?

Forward flow is roughly three times stronger than reverse on this pump, so alternating and randomised modes produce a genuine shift in current direction and strength, not just a paused pulse.

Does it come with everything I need to install it?

Yes – the powerhead, external wet-side magnet mount, controller and DC power supply are included; nothing else to buy to get it running.