So the awe inspiring reef is what you want in your home…
Is this possible? Can we take centuries of creation and replicate it in a glass box in our living rooms? Is it as simple as taking water, salt, a filter, and some sand and making everything come to life? Well, let me see, on any given website there are at least ten different types of filtration, not to mention the abundance of protein skimmers and lighting options, but which ones really work?
As I break it down to it’s elemental form, the ocean is a stable yet dynamic entity. Nothing is still, and yet corals have been growing in the same place for decades. The oceans are a huge water treatment facility processing everything from fish waste to sewage spills. Nothing goes to waste in the oceans, there are organisms that live off of the wastes of other specimens and dead organisms are food to others. So how can we break down this complex ecosystem and bring it into our homes? Let me first examine water movement.
Water movement is essential for the survival of each and every specimen found in the coral reefs. Live rock algae, fish, and corals all need ample water movement in order to thrive. Less than adequate water movement will keep the specimens alive, but they will not be living to their fullest potential. It’s like working a 9 to 5 that you hate. You are surviving and making ends meet, but are you really living to your fullest potential?
In order to maintain proper water movement strategic placement of powerheads, pumps, and/or outlets needs to happen. Most importantly water needs to be pumped through the live rock. In the ocean, are there any places where water is not circulated through rocks and crevices? If you’ve ever surfed, scuba’d, or snorkled you’ll notice that the waves push you in all different directions. Thus water is being moved all throughout the rockwork and reefs. It may not be practical to have powerheads on all sides of the aquarium, but water needs to be moving through the rockwork as much as possible.
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