I’ll never forget my first adventure exploring natural coral reefs. Earlier in the day, my stomach was in knots. For years I’ve researched and studied these ancient organisms, and in a few hours I would be engulfed in their watery world.
I still remember the lingering taste of breakfast as our chartered boat carefully navigated through unrealistically blue water. With an increasing heart rate, and an excitement I hadn’t felt since childhood, I took one last look at the universe around me. Plunging into the water, my world would never be the same.
If you’ve never had the opportunity to explore natural coral reefs, it’s almost impossible to fully explain its beauty. It truly feels as if you’ve somehow ventured into another realm.
Author:
As a lifelong aquarist, Yuliya has an endless curiosity about our underwater universe. After graduating with a bachelor’s in Environmental Engineering, she transformed her passion into a successful career. While working at the Institute of Environmental Protection in Moscow, her passion for saltwater and reef aquariums only increased. Moving to the United States in 2013, Yuliya embarked on another impactful journey by sharing her unprecedented experience for all aquarium hobbyists ... Read More.
QUICK AQUARIUM PUMPS COMPARISON OUR TOP 10 PICKS:
Best Aquarium Pumps For A Reef Tank:
- EcoTech Marine VorTech. MP10 / MP40 / MP60 - Click Here to The Read Full Review.
- Maxspect XF230 Gyre or XF250
- TUNZE Turbelle NANOStream 6055.000
- Tunze Turbelle Stream 2 Controllable Pump 6105. (New Generation with Titanium Alloy Shaft)
Best Budget And Nano Aquarium Pumps:
As we carefully swam, eyes widened by the pure amazement of this oceanic civilization, perhaps the most startling sensation was how strong the water currents were. Have you ever stood in an open field as a storm approaches? With sudden bursts of wind, highlighted by a steady flow of rushing air trying to push you over?
Imagine this sensation, but underwater. The sheer power of our oceans is something our land-restricted brains can’t possibly comprehend. What astonished me, especially after an exceptionally strong current moved me far away from my diving group, is how little this strength bothered the reef. These visually delicate organisms thrived in this extreme water movement.
Now, many years later, I still envision this moment when dealing with reef tank water flow. In fact, this experience transformed a topic, which I already knew was important, and elevated its actual impact on reef aquarium development.
As reefers, we’re charged with the task of replicating the essential pillars of nature. To achieve the pure wonderment of coral reef life, it’s not enough to simply keep nutrient levels and lighting quality within an “acceptable range”.
Without committing yourself to precise replication, your reef tank will never achieve its true potential. Does this notion scare you? Are you afraid you don’t have the time, money or knowledge required to cultivate a genuine slice of the ocean in your living room?
Stop right there.
Yes, creating and sustaining a reef tank isn’t as easy as a small bowl filled with goldfish. However, it’s not rocket science. In fact, the biggest hurdle that actually stops people from diving into this hobby isn’t their inability. Rather, it’s their fear of the unknown.
In reality, if you learn how to hack this hobby, learning and evolving your skillset is shockingly straightforward. Of course, the foundation of every hack is knowledge.
Bearing this in mind, the team at ReefHacks decided to create the ultimate beginner’s guide. Unlike other guides, which regurgitate needless information, we’ve taken a different approach. Our guides provide you with delicious morsels of truth, without wasting your time discussing elements that really don’t help achieve your goals.
As you may already know, at least I hope, this guide details one of the few fundamental elements of every reef tank: water flow/movement and what is the best powerhead for a reef tank.
Now, sit back, relax and grab a cup of your favorite beverage. It’s time to soak into the tumbling world of reef tank water movement.
WARNING: If you get sea sickness, you may want to take some medicine before continuing.
The Circulation of Life - Why Is Water Flow Important?
Throughout the years I’ve worked with reef tanks, I don’t think I’ve ever come across a novice reefer who didn’t agree water movement is important. For many, it’s one of those understood rules. In order to have a healthy tank, water circulation is required.
However, when asked exactly why water flow is a pillar of tank life, most shrug their shoulders and respond, “Well, because it is?”
Yes, indeed, water movement is imperative because it is. But, there’s a much greater reason why this is among the most important tank setup and maintenance topics. Movement quality within your glass ecosystem plays a direct role for nearly every major life-supporting parameter of inhabitants.
Without proper circulation, you’d have nothing more than gallons of gross, stinky and corpse-filled water. Unless that’s the aesthetic you’re going for, I imagine you want to prevent anything that close resembles this macabre scenario.
Let’s briefly discuss the primary reasons why water flow delivers life, or invites death, into your tank:
- Supports Gas Exchange - To say gas exchange is an important biological process for tank health is an incredible understatement. This fundamental process describes the efficiency of incoming oxygen versus the rate of carbon dioxide export. In brief, as carbon dioxide levels accumulate, pH levels are depressed. Ultimately, this harms alkalinity and skyrockets water acidity.
- Waste Removal Support - Could you imagine the sheer horror major cities would be if the sewage or garbage systems failed? In a matter of days, most cities would be hotbeds of disease, rancid food stores, and basically, disgusting. The same is somewhat true in reef tanks. Without proper water flow, waste created from corals and other inhabitants isn’t evacuated quickly enough. This can lead to a myriad of problems, such as suffocation, serious infections and degraded rates of photosynthesis. In fact, this is an issue currently plaguing natural coral reef systems. Reductions in water movement is causing serious harm to these magical reef civilizations.
- Food Transportation - In many ways, water flow is similar to the massive railways responsible for delivering food throughout the nation. When we investigate food delivery in the wild, oceanic currents carry food, such as phytoplankton, throughout reef colonies. In your aquarium, this action is mirrored via aquarium powerhead. In our environments, these manmade currents enhance the efficiency of food and nutrient supplements.
- Harmful Organism Accumulation - Still waters are a breeding ground for harmful bacteria buildup. As water continues to remain stagnate, the lack of effective waste removal stimulates pathogenic bacteria development. Ultimately, this puts your entire tank at risk, but especially coral. If unchecked, bacteria concentrations places coral, fish and other inhabitants at an increased risk for serious infections. Another noteworthy warning to low-flow tanks, or even dead spots (where water flow and movement don’t exist) can lead to serious cyano algae problems. Learn here how to remove cyano from your reef tank in 10 easy steps.
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Defining the Currents - Flow vs. Movement.
Often, even in this article, you’ll see the terms “flow” and “movement” used interchangeably. On the surface, both terms may be used to describe water circulation. While this is true, each term defines specific current types. I’m not going to dive deeply into this topic, but recommend continuing your own research.
However, I do feel it’s important to briefly discuss the differences between these two water motions. This knowledge will come in handy as you continue your exploration of reef tank water currents, and the various devices responsible for supporting this action.
- Water Flow - Essentially, when used to describe aquarium water action, the term “flow” often refers to water moving in a straight line. Another word you’ll encounter when discussing this topic is laminar water flow. This is most similar to the type of currents found in oceans. Turbulent laminar, which is sometimes referred to as Turbulent Flow, occurs when two currents intersect. While this is achievable in an aquarium, in general, you’ll primarily use non-intersecting laminar flow currents.
- Water Movement - In the wild, coral are exposed to the ebb-and-flow of tides and waves. This pushing and pulling action is ideal for inhabitants who exist closer to the surface. The majority of coral found in reef tanks prefer this form of circulation.
Not All Flows Move to the Same Beat - Reef Tank Flow Rates.
If you haven’t noticed, almost every element of your reef tank is dependent on its inhabitants. The biggest mistake you can make is attempting to establish and maintain a reef tank based on generic “rules.” Much like in the wild, there is no such thing as a universal guideline. Our world, and all its land and sea inhabitants, are unique.
This being said, there are patterns found in nature capable of supporting life. The key is identifying these patterns and refining each one for your unique tank environment. While one species may thrive in more turbulent waters, others may only reach their potential in more gentle flows patterns.
Let’s take a look at two of the most popular coral types, SPS and LPS, and explore their flow pattern requirements.
Z's Yellow Eyed Jawdropper.
Flow Rate For SPS (Small Polyp Stony) Coral.
In general, SPS corals prefer some of the highest flow rates out of any aquarium inhabitant. These unique creatures thrive when exposed to more turbulent flow currents, which deliver movements in a random pattern. While there are many reasons why SPS coral appreciate high flow and turnover rates, it’s primarily required as the hard flow assists in polyp waste removal.
This closely resembles their natural environment, which is subjected to the robust movement of waves and tides. Along with a strong, randomized flow pattern, SPS corals do well with an equally high turnover rate anywhere from 30 to 50x’s.
In short, turnover rate is the number of times the entire water volume of your tank moves through the pumping system every hour.
Turnover is: (Your Aquarium Pump In Tank Flow + Return Pump Flow) / Tank Volume without including the sump volume. Typically, when describing flow requirements, coral is rated on the following scale:
- Low Flow - Feature the least total water volume turnover rate, which typically hovers around 20x and is suitable for only specific coral types.
- Medium Flow - The majority of coral species who thrive in Low Flow environments may also do well in this flow rate, which features a 20 to 30x turnover rate. Xenia, leather coral species or zoanthids tend to thrive in this flow rate.
- High Flow - When it comes to SPS coral like acropora, this is the turnover rate you’ll find works best. The official calculation for this rate is anywhere from 40 to 50x turnover or even 80-100x. Interestingly, even with such extreme turnover rates, Medium Flow corals are relatively happy in this environment, but it's always easy to find a medium or low flow spot in your tank for them as well, so don't worry too much about.
Flow Rate For LPS (Large Polyp Stony) Coral.
Also referred to as soft coral or LPS corals are much more sensitive to flow and turnover rates than its smaller counterpart. Instead of thriving in fast turnover and turbulent waters, these majestically large inhabitants require a much slower flow rates.
In general, you’ll find LPS coral thrive best in Low to Medium Flow environments, which feature a 20 to 30x turnover rate. Along with the rate of water movement, one of the most important elements for not only LPS corals, but for the health of your entire reef tank, is to avoid dead spots.
How do you prevent the dreaded dead zones from harming your precious watery world? Let’s find out…
Manipulating the Power of Movement - Aquarium Powerhead Advice.
So, now that we’ve discussed the various types and importance of water circulation, how do you actually make currents in an enclosed tank? Through the power of aquarium pump.
Essentially, your flow pump is the heart, and brain, of your artificial oceanic current. Without a powerful, reliable and perfectly positioned pump, you’re destined to have an underperforming tank. However, before we get into the most recommended aquarium pumps, where do you put them?
Powerhead placement in reef tank:
Not only is the position of your aquarium pumps paramount for proper circulation, but it’s also specific to your tank. Because the interior design of your tank, which is also known as aquascaping, can feature almost limitless layouts, the precise placement of flow pumps vary.
Even so, there are a few rules you should follow. First, avoid placing your power head in a location where its flow is impeded by a rocks, plants or coral. Try to determine a location where the flow can reach the opposite wall without being blocked. This may be tricky, and possibly require readjusting your aquascape choices.
For example, in our tank at ReefHacks, we placed both of our EcoTech VorTech MP10wQD on the back wall. One is positioned to the left of the overflow, while the other is placed just to the right of the overflow. Our specific aquascaping layout required this exact placement for optimum water flow. Since our coral enjoy more turbulent movement, we set the pumps on Reef Crest mode at 100% Anti-Sync.
Of course, this leads us into the hot topic of pump manufacturers. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been asked, “What is the best aquarium powerhead for a reef tank?” As with so many other tank components, it’s impossible to choose just one as being “the best.”
Due to the unique layouts and requirements of reef aquariums, there simply isn’t one device that outperforms them all. However, there are some that shine brighter than others for specific uses and environments. For example, we love the EcoTech VorTech pumps, but there are many other top-notch devices.
Some of our favorite include:
- EcoTech Marine VorTech. MP10 / MP40 / MP60 - Click Here to The Read Full Review.
- Maxspect XF230 Gyre or XF250
- TUNZE Turbelle NANOStream 6055.000
- Tunze Turbelle Stream 2 Controllable Pump 6105. (New Generation with Titanium Alloy Shaft)
Budget and nano reef tank powerheads:
Flow Into Beauty, Health and Vitality - Final Thoughts.
As you can see, water circulation is far more important than simply provide a “lifelike” environment for tank inhabitants. This one element determines the health, survival and overall appearance of these magical organisms.
Whether you’re just starting out in this exciting hobby, or are an experienced reefer looking to refine your skills, ReefHacks is here for you. If you have any questions, or wish to comment on this guide, visit our Facebook page and send us a message.
On behalf of the entire ReefHacks team, we hope this guide has helped answer some of your questions, and as always, Happy Reefing!
by Yuliya Ivanova for ReefHacks.