Fast Or Slow? Your Guide To Water Flow!
Water Has flowed through Rivers and Streams nourishing mankind for centuries, and in an aquarium that same flow is essential to keeping life moving. Attaining the proper flow rate in an aquarium is essential for the long term survival and maintenance of the system.
But how much flow do we need? In todays guide I shall explain why water flow is important, and how to choose and set main Pumps and Wavemakers to suit.
The Main Pump is The Heart
and multiply this by 10-20 time to work our the max flow rate needed. For my old 200L aquarium, I used a Jecod DCP 2500, which turned over 2500 Litres Per Hour and even came equipped with an external controller.
Corals Love Flow
For corals to be at their best, water movement in the main aquarium should be at an optimum to remove detritus from colonies and keep the corals fully extended without damaging the delicate flesh.
Wavemakers need to be directed in the general direction of the corals and placed in the mid or upper part of the aquarium where the sand cannot be blown around.
As for the flow characteristics, around 40 times the tank's volume in flow for most corals and around 60+ times for SPS dominated aquariums to prevent tissue recession at the bases of colonies.
Our Top Picks For Wavemakers
With so many options out there, you're spoilt for choice. These are our top picks for marine Wavemakers based on our own experience and customer feedback.
Ecotech Vortech MP40w QD
Why we love it...
- Fully controllable via a mobile app and can operate in a variety of modes to simulate a natural reef environment. We use these exclusively on our SPS dominated 9ft display tank!
- A dry/wet side magnetic couple means no bulky wires or motors inside the tank.
- No coral damaging hot spots
- Can work in tandem with another unit to further improve flow characteristics
Ai Nero 5 Wavemaker
Why it punches above its weight
- Small, compact design capable of pushing up to 11,365 litres per hour
- Fully app controllable
- Affordable
Maxpect jump Gyre Series
Somewhat bulky when it comes to our other picks, but the benefits of its design cannot be underestimated, these include
- A wide, evenly distributed flow across the entire aquarium.
- The ability to run in an alternating "gyre" mode, virtually eliminating dead spots altogether.
- powerful but gentle flow.
Aquascape and Flow
The Scape of any tropical or marine aquarium is important to consider when aiming for an optimal flow pattern in an aquarium. Provide a simple scape with plenty of caves and overhangs, preferably not in contact with the side or rear glass. This will prevent the formation of dead spots, where detritus and nutrients gather and unsightly algae can grow.
Browse All Pumps
We at Aquariumkeeping.co.uk will always be happy to answer any questions regarding any thing discussed in this blog, as well as any questions regarding water flow. Feel free to contact us via the website or any of our social media links below.
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1 comment
Paul
Wave rates.
Useful to know but you haven’t actually answered the question.
I have a maspect gyre been running it for years In a cichlid 600litre tank . Never was quite sure how much power to exert on the fish but currently adjust to midway configured in time mode so it’s varied. My thought is to keep balanced temperature, surface movement to stop surface skinning and prevent ammonia gasses from escaping. It works. I also have a Jacod pump placed on the bottom directing a jet to surface to maximize virtical flow.
No air pump in use as they are too noisy.