| 1. Laminar Flow - Laminar flow of water is the flow | | | | perpetual state of motion, and it is important to |
| where the water flows horizontally, in a single | | | | replicate this environment in the reef aquarium so |
| direction. The flow is produced by a mechanism called | | | | that the inhabitants find it as close to their natural |
| as a powerhead from one side of the reef aquarium, | | | | habitat as possible. |
| and it continues to flow to the other end | | | | 2. If there is no flow maintained in the reef aquarium, |
| continuously. The handicap with the laminar flow of | | | | then the motile organisms in the reef aquarium will |
| water is that it does not provide for any sort of | | | | become sluggish and lethargic. However when a flow |
| vertical flow of the water. | | | | is maintained, the animals will need to constantly plow |
| 2. Power Flow or Surge Flow - In this type of flow in | | | | with or against the flow. That helps them to exercise |
| the reef aquarium, the water is made to flow | | | | their bodies and become healthier. |
| horizontally in one direction for some minutes, and | | | | 3. Maintaining a flow in the aquarium is a means of |
| then suddenly stopped and forced to flow in the | | | | cleaning the tank. The flow helps to flush out the |
| other direction for a shorter time. Thus, the flow of | | | | embedded impurities and even microorganisms from |
| water is kept horizontal, but the directions are | | | | the corals and other such static organisms within your |
| reversed in alternation. | | | | reef tank. It also helps to clean the fish, since the |
| 3. Turbulent Flow - The turbulent flow is a specialized | | | | flow can clean out difficult areas such as those |
| method of water flow where the water is | | | | behind the dorsal fins. |
| simultaneously allowed to flow in several different | | | | 4. The flow in the aquarium also helps to distribute |
| directions. Turbulence is best for the inhabitants of a | | | | the nutrients and other materials in the aquarium in a |
| reef aquarium, because in the natural state the water | | | | proper manner. This is also important to maintain the |
| is in a turbulent state of motion. It also helps to | | | | proper flow of gases in the aquarium such as carbon |
| exercise the reef inhabitants in several different | | | | dioxide, and to maintain the ammonia cycle. This is |
| ways. | | | | very important in maintaining the proper amount of |
| Whatever the type of flow maintained in the reef | | | | pH throughout in the aquarium. This is also imperative |
| tank, it has certain special benefits for the inhabitants. | | | | for proper growth and development of the |
| The following are the main benefits it provides: | | | | organisms in the reef aquarium. |
| 1. In nature, the water in the seas and oceans is in a | | | | |