Benefits of a Wave Maker

[MitchM]

Alternating flow is how our corals breathe and process their wastes.
It doesn't matter if it's a wavemaker or just powerheads switching on and off.
I think the importance of water movement is underrated. I see a lot of people upgrading their lights and then blaming the lights on their corals bleaching or otherwise suffering, but I don't see a lot of mention where the water flow was up graded as well.

Wavemakers, I think, are harder on aquarium stands. It's a lot of weight shifting shifting back and forth.
I had a 320g with a wavemaker and a 1 1/2" steel tubular stand.
I could measure the flex in the stand with the wavemaker going.
Not good long term.

[StirCrazy]

Originally Posted by MitchM

. I see a lot of people upgrading their lights and then blaming the lights on their corals bleaching or otherwise suffering, but I don't see a lot of mention where the water flow was up graded as well.

I think about 8 years ago I did and experiment and came to the conclusion that water flow can prevent bleaching and posted about it. I am a firm believer in the benefits of massive water flow.

Steve

[CM125]

A wavemaker isnt necessarily needed but I think alternating current is a must.

[LoJack]

There is an article on RKM that talks about how flow is actually more important than lighting.

I think I run about 9000 GPH of turnover. Adding Vortech's I noticed an immediate difference in polyp extension and color. Not to mention it looked like a snowstorm when I added them and it wasn't sand, that was how much detritus regular powerheads were missing.

The tank is SPS dominant now … I could never give up my MP40's now … I just can't imagine running a tank without the anymore.

[MitchM]

Lojack, maybe you could post a link to that article?

Right, keep in mind we're talking about flow for sps.
Lps and soft corals don't require quite as strong of flow.

Study from 2000:
(I recently posted this in another thread)

http://www.int-res.com/articles/meps/212/m212p301.pdf

Advanced Aquarist articles from 2006 onward:

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2006/9/aafeature2

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2006/8/aafeature

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2007/1/aafeature