reefwars 2012 nano contest entry

[albert_dao]

Originally Posted by Enigma

Holy smokes. That is pretty aggressive flow. The polyps must be pretty tough to not get cut on the skeleton or damaged.

Not really, they're just as delicate and easily torn as you'd expect. The idea here is that you're getting the proper type of flow - wide, gentle patterns where large bodies of water are moving. Modern powerheads are good at providing this sort of pattern, as long as you're taking the care to plan their placement so that it is in synergistic with your rock work.

Another problem you see often is the buffering effect of having two bodies of flow directed against one another, e.g. two powerheads pointed at one another from opposite ends of the tank. This not only reduces overall flow momentum, but creates shearing forces where the bodies meet. This uncomfortable zone is easily reflected in motile animals becoming stressed and/or feeling the proximity of these shearing zones (anemones will often vacate these areas).

HTH