| Having adequate marine aquarium circulation is critical | | | | a 55 gallon saltwater set up would need to 825-1100 |
| to the success of your tank and to the health of | | | | Gallons Per Hour of flow, this however can vary |
| your fish. Unfortunately most new saltwater aquarium | | | | higher or lower depending on the tank and the type |
| keepers do not set their tanks up right and have | | | | of flow you have. |
| poor circulation that can lead to a variety of | | | | What Is Flow Velocity and Flow Volume |
| problems. | | | | When it comes to marine aquarium circulation you |
| Problems Associate With Low Aquarium Circulation | | | | need to be aware that not all flow is the same and |
| - Algae Growth- When the current in the tank is not | | | | you have to consider velocity as well. For example |
| strong enough to keep fish waste and un eaten food | | | | water flowing from a garden hose at 1000 gallons |
| in suspension long enough to be removed by the | | | | per hour will have much more speed then water |
| filter system it often settles and begins to decay | | | | being poured from a pitcher a 1000 gallons per hour |
| adding nitrates and phosphates to the tank. | | | | because the pitcher has a wider area. In a nut shell |
| - Low PH- Due to the low flow the oxygen levels i | | | | the water has the same volume it just moves slower |
| the tank will be low and this will lead to a low PH in | | | | and covers more area. |
| the aquarium. Low PH under 7.8 can harm fish, coral | | | | This carried over into saltwater aquariums and the |
| and other invertebrates in your system and also help | | | | many different pumps and power heads that are |
| algae grow. | | | | available. Many newer models use a propeller to |
| How Much Water Flow Should You Have | | | | create high flow wide pattern of low velocity water |
| The general rule of thumb when it comes to | | | | flow which is more natural for your fish but also |
| adequate marine aquarium flow is to have about | | | | covers a wider area of the tank. |
| 15-20 times the volume of the tank. So for example | | | | |